Think before you join

I was just asked by a woman business owner what groups/organizations she should join for networking. I'll pass along to you what I suggested to her:

Ask yourself 2 questions:

1. What do my current and potential customers have in common?
2. What organizations are they involved in?

If you want to sell to female senior managers and business owners, I would of course recommend attending Marigold events.

If most of your best customers are in the medical field, ask them which organizations THEY belong to. Most professional associations offer memberships to companies outside of their industry as "supporting members". Then promote your membership to the current membership. Use their logo (with permission) in all of your targeted advertising.You might even create a separate supply of business cards that include specializing in the medical field, or add a title of Medical Industry Specialist.

Taking this another step, what geographical are are you hoping to prospect in?
If you feel that another region, state or city has greater potential, join an organization THERE. Perhaps even in the state you hope to retire or semi-retire to. Make contacts in that area.

Consider what your customers would find appealing in your list of memberships. These associations create a sense of acceptance, credibility and can speed up relationship building.

When I owned a travel agency, I joined the Detroit Producers Association and marketed through their publications and events the idea that we understood their needs for last minute first class travel arrangements for difficult clients. All staff had a set of business cards with Production Industry Specialist. I volunteered many hours at their events and became known as THE travel agent for production companies. This was our most profitable revenue source. How many clients did we have when we started..... one.

Try it out and let us know what happens!