Is it me...or are Chamber of Commerce events Useless for Networking?

I've been a member of several Chambers, and my issue was just the opposite... you get approached by a lot of people who are only interested in promoting their own businesses. Sometimes they would ask what you do out of courtesy, and a few of those turn into legitimate leads, but I never got much out of it for the time invested. You have to have the right kind of business.

The question for you is... why didn't you approach them rather than rely on them approaching you? Networking mixers are not for the shy.

Well, I don't know where you live but you can try things like referral networks for instance, http://referralexchangenetwork.com/ Look for one in your area.
Hope that helps ya.

Umm, I anytime I attend a Chamber or professional networking event, I leave with a stack of business cards with the directive to call the person in the next few days to set up a FTF. It's one of the absolute best ways to meet prospects.

You can also try meetup.com which allows you to network in variety of different settings....The great thing is that there's always meetups taking place....Assuming you don't live at the North Pole!

Complete and total waste of time IMHO. Never got anything out of them, CoC's are run by a bunch of retired has been types (the fact that they still have to work for the CoC says much) or want to be business owners...

The time could be far better spent doing some proper marketing or networking.

BNI is very structured, but I found it helpful in my neck of the woods.

I have heard from many in the offline world that you need to get in front of them with a talk and then once they see how much of a genius you are, they will want to talk to you.

Why not leave a leaflet with your next scheduled teleseminar or conference call on one side and on the other side, as Michael said a call to action to call you today to get your free whateveryouhavetooffer.

CT

Most local chambers have weekly or monthly networking breakfasts or luncheons. I prefer to go to these instead. If you go to the regular Chamber meetings, I have found that most are there for a variety of reasons (other than networking), so when someone approaches to "network", the interest for the most part is not there.....at these luncheons, attendees are much more targeted. They too are there to network...they want to meet you & hear what you have to say & get heard by you.....much more casual, much more targeted...

Good luck,
~Ken

Here's how you can earn a small fortune through Chamber events...

First, disregard most of the info you've read in this thread so far. These
events are a virtual goldmine if you know how to work them properly and you
have some patience.

As has been said, most of the people who attend these events are
there hoping to find someone to buy what the sell. How refreshing do
you think it might be to be the only guy/gal in the room who isn't trying
to pitch everyone?

Here's what I do...

I engage people one at a time. I ask them what they do. I pay
attention and jot notes if necessary. I ask them to describe for
me, as briefly as possible, what their product/service will do for
someone... what problem will it solve. I ask them what their ideal
prospect "looks" like. I ask them for their business card and let them
know that I talk with lots of people every day and will pass on their
contact info if I run into someone who "looks" like their ideal prospect.

When I get home I send each of them a handwritten note letting them
know how much I enjoyed meeting them and learning about their business.

I then follow through in my day to day activities. When I meet someone
who "looks" like an ideal prospect for someone I met at a Chamber event,
or anywhere else, I connect them.

I'm known around my town as a connector... I frequently get calls from
people who say they're looking for something and someone told them I'm
the guy who can hook them up.

I also get an almost endless stream of referrals for my own business
from those I've connected in some way that helped them.

That's how you mine the gold at Chamber events.

Tsnyder

I'm sure every CoC is different, but I absolutely love ours.
My experience with the Chamber is you "get" if you "put in".

If you just pay your dues and never do anything else....its probably not worth it, but our Chamber has put countless opportunities in front of us.

I hope people don't assume from this first post that CoC groups are worthless, my local one has helped me quite a bit.

I got a client from the very first mixer I went to. After I joined, I got the opportunity to give a short talk about what I do (my chamber offered this for free). It's a great way to get the word out.

That being said, my chamber is in a smaller town, and I don't think I'll be renewing my membership there, because I think that money would be better spent joining a bigger CoC in a nearby city that is much larger. Great way to start out though.

Matt

See, the problem is - most people think that:

NETWORKING = SELLING

It isn't...

What you're aiming to do is build allies for your business. Sure, some people will need your services - but, if they don't, there's no reason to end the relationship there. By befriending them and bringing them into your "network" they could become a champion for your business.

It works like this:

Say for instance you're a plumber and I meet you at an event.
I know 10 people, those 10 people know 10 more people each.

If you impress me enough with your people skills, a great proposition and are at least mildly interested in something other than selling to me, then you might become a friend of mine, or at least an acquaintance.

Who do you think I'm going to think about when one of my 10 friends asks if I know a plumber? Or, they tell me that their friend needs a plumber.

Think of networking for what it is...

The opportunity to build a network of potential sales people.

Networking can happen anywhere, too. It's not just limited to CoC's and Business Referral Exchanges. If you're truly interested in growing your business, you should take EVERY opportunity to grow your network - down the pub, with your friends, etc.

And I don't mean the cheesy network marketing stereotype - simply be a friend, and impress people, while ensuring they know who you are and what you do.

HINT: If you're a brand new chamber member, find an "old boy" who will "vouch for you" and hang with them as their "guest" at the next event. Better to be introduced by an old-timer.

Tsnyder you sound like Zig Zigler. You gotta give if you wanta get. Good post.

Depends what country you are in, as to how business is done. Chamber stuff is usually quite low key and more about relationship building and not about hard sell, especially initially. Join in, chat and wait for people to ask you what you do. Just make sure you already know what they do so you are talking to the right person.

And if you struggle with networking then try a good tutor, in the UK I have worked quite a bit with Will Kintish and highly recommend him.

Believe it or not, I atually focus more on the networking aspect of CoC events vs lead generation.

The last event I attended I spoke with (and collected cards from) a land investment broker and a financial planner...could they use my help with marketing...sure...did I give them my quick USP...of course...

but in the end I collected their business cards and put them in my business card holder...why?...because should I be working with a client down the road, and the opportunity to JV comes up...I have a contact name already!

~Dexx

Another thought is to treat them like your mailing list.
Show people your personality first and don't rush to sell.
Once you are better known they will respect you and then
you show them what you have to offer.

Offline prospects may just ask you themselves
"So, what to you do?"