Ask Liz: What Do You Want to Know About Starting and Running a Networking Group?

Just as it’s always easier to start a diet than to keep one going, the same holds true for starting a networking group.  I know from first-hand experience.  In the fall of 2001, I started a networking group for independent consultants with my friend Lisa Sulgit.  We partnered with a local association who helped us find meeting space and market our monthly events through their channels.  At our first meeting, more than 100 people showed up.  At our last meeting two years later, 7 people attended.

It was hard to keep the energy going on all sides – the association had cutbacks and didn’t have the resources to keep helping us, so we had to find our own meeting space every month which was time-consuming.  They also started charging higher fees for our events, thereby depressing attendance.  And as Lisa and I got busier with our businesses, we had limited time to devote to making the group better.

I’ve also seen the ebbs and flows as a participant.  My first meeting as a guest at a BNI chapter was full of promise with 24+ professionals in the room exchanging leads, and I joined practically on the spot.  However, six months later, there were a scant 14 members. 

I’ve accumulated a lot of knowledge and insight into what makes groups work and what doesn’t, and would love to share it.  But I want to hear your burning questions.  What do you want to know about starting and running a networking group?  Click on the comments link just below this posting to leave your question and read what others are asking.

© 2006, Liz Lynch
Liz Lynch is founder and executive director of the Center for Networking Excellence which develops products and programs to help professionals learn how to build profitable relationships. If you're ready to start networking smarter, get your free networking tips now at www.NetworkingExcellence.com .

Comments

[Dan Williams]

Hello Liz,

Great post. Glad to e-chime in :-)

I know it is hard work, and there really isn't one silver bullet, however my experience tells me:

Be aware of the four stages of the group's lifespan. It sets the right expectation and lets us know that forming a group, life life, is a process not an event!

- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing

To Your Networking Success!

Dan Williams
CEO, Founder
The Networking Community