Meeting like-minded professionals and starting new relationships while attending events, conferences and workshops has been one of the most effective ways I’ve created exposure for my business. Perhaps the same has been true for you. I’d love to hear your favorite success story about how networking has helped you to attract more clients or joint venture opportunities. Especially because I know your experience will be both inspiring and educational to the other professionals who follow this blog. So do tell!
I’ll get us started:
The first time I attended an online marketing conference, I didn’t know a SOUL. I didn’t have a real strategy for “working the room”, I just tried to meet as many friendly people as I could. As I was talking with the other attendees, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that many of them were newbies too!
I really hit it off with one gentleman I met there and we continued to talk and get to know one another over the three days of the workshop. Because I talked about the problems I solve for my clients and the benefits and results others had enjoyed in working with me me, he expressed an interest in hiring me to help him grow his business. I followed up immediately when I returned home and he hired me the next week!
We ended up working together for over 2 years and that relationship generated over $55,000 in revenue for my business! In addition to that, because of the work we did together, I was introduced to a friend of his who also hired me to help her with a project. That opportunity generated almost $7,000 in revenue!
Because of attending that one workshop, which probably cost me about $2,500 total (including registration and travel expenses), I ended up earning over $63,000. That’s a 25x return on my investment. Pretty sweet, huh?
So, tell me your story. No matter how “small” you think it may be. (I happen to think there’s no such thing as a “small” success). Whether you attracted a new client, got a new speaking gig, or overcame your fear of networking, I want to hear all about it! You can share your story by posting a comment below!
