WOMEN's NETWORKING:
- Heartlink
The meeting I attended had about 15 women in attendance and about 1/2 had not participated in one of their meetings before. I'd say the attendance was about what I had imagined it might be- pretty good. There was a wide variety of business' represented there- from Printing/Graphics, Insurance, Healthcare, a Private School, Purses, Candles, Essential Oils, Pampered Chef, etc. Dinner was a few really hearty, nice salads, and a few tasty desserts - all very healthy and prepared by a lady who has her own cookbook that she sold that night.
When I arrived, you have a few minutes to visit until everyone has checked in and then we started dinner. We served ourselves buffet style and sat in a large room (it was held at one of the attendees' offices) in a circle. We just chatted during our meal with our neighbors. The mini presentations began about 15 min. later. Basically, you have a opportunity to hand out a brochure, business card which is passed while you are speaking. You can give a introduction to your business and share whatever you like about it (2 minutes flies by!). Then it moves on to the next person. There was also a opportunity for anyone who wished to contribute a gift for a drawing which was held at the end. There were about 6-7 items in our drawing that night. I won a cute little tote bag!
Over all, I think this is a great opportunity to meet new people- I'd highly recommend it to women who are just moving to a new area! Also, you just never know who you might meet at one of these meetings or what kind of friendships might be forged! I love meeting new people, so I'd likely go again. I don't think I'd attend every month however, maybe every other month. I think $20 for the meal might be steep but it's covering not only the meal but I believe the organization/preparation for the groups' hostess. In terms of sales, I don't think there is a lot of opportunity right there/then to make immediate sales, however, you may see some following the meeting or down the road if you become a regular and present sales from time to time. This is not the best place to market your "business opportunity" as the other women are all invested (usually) in their own business. However, networking is really about connecting and the women they may know of someone who IS interested in your business or product and if you have a genuine interest in getting to know people and helping eachother grow, then one day, good things always come from these relationships; maybe even a lifetime friendship!
I felt as though there was just one thing missing from this meeting. This particular group had been meeting for about 7 months, I beleive. There was not a sense of "sharing experiences" there that I felt would be truly beneficial to the group. Meaning, there was no presentation to the group or sharing between the women about what makes their business work or sharing of practical ideas. This is vital to me in order for a group to really grow and appeal to women long-term. I'll be sharing those thoughts with the groups' leader as I think this is a important part of Networking; to bring something to the group that could really help us in our own business'- something to "take home" other than a nice drawing prize (I'm not complaining about that, by the way!). Maybe each women could take turns from one meeting to the next, sharing something they've learned, even just a 5 minute talk or exercise of sorts at the beginning of the meeting or while we're all eating.....
My final score/rating given for this first meeting: 7 out of 10!
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