Discussion:Networking

Well, it was a total bust. There must have been 10 other accountants there, a bunch of insurance agents, a couple of realtors and even one guy who was selling defined benefit pension plan tax shelters. So basically there were lots of salespeople and no customers. I spoke to most everyone and handed out a bunch of cards, but overall it was a very disappointing event.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or better alternatives?

Thanks

Pete

Young entrepreneur clubs

Entrepreneurs (google it with your city in the google search)

Avon meetings

Amway meetings

AA meetings (okay that one was a joke)

Some Churches have some business clubs or meetings for young entrepreneurs.

You might want to also talk with the newly divorced and newly widowed clubs at your local churches to see about presenting a topic regarding the tax ramifications of each. Many spouses rely completely on their spouse to do the taxes so when that spouse dies or a divorce happens, many are lost.

When I googled entrepreneur clubs and my city, it came up with many non-matches that gave me other ideas of where to look. I haven't had time but will.

Michael

So getting to know the other 9 accountants, realtors, and pension plan sellers is EXACTLY what you should have been doing. At some point, the realtors will have a client who needs a new accountant. At some point the pension plan guy will have a client who is unhappy with their current accountant. And at some point those 9 other accountants will either need a job, want to retire and sell off their clients, or have a client whom they can't or care not to help.

Whose name will they think of? Someone they met once, or someone they see each month?

That's what networking is. It is indeed a long-term thing. It is only a 'total bust' if you expected to find people there willing to hire you on the spot. If that is the case, you were misled in thinking what networking was all about.

For instance, a short seminar on the tax benefits of owning a home (including the FTHBC) where you invite real estate agents (giving them 4 extra tickets to invite their prospects for free to hear this important and valuable information from the local tax expert). You get a few realtors (who are great referral sources), and you might even get a consumer/homebuyer or two who has heretofore been able to file the short form, but now knows a tax expert to help them with their more complicated return.

Pete

Soon, you will be the 'old' guy.

Even if you had a bad experience at this one, next month may bring an influx of new clients to your doors. Perhaps you go and while everyone else is and complaining about the fact that you are all there with no 'clients', you be the most charming Accountant there. We have all met people we didn't want to be around from the moment we met them. We have also all met people who we liked immediately.

There are no failures in networking attempts, just less effective efforts. You never know what seed you planted.

Michael

You'd think that with more people, it would be easier, but it's not.

You need to decide what actions you want to take, and plan to consistenly follow through with those activities time and time again. What's hard about it is that you will most likely not get an immediate return.

I have actually been to the DOOR of a Pentacostal church in rural VA that handled snakes--my cousin and I walked by and wondered what all the noise was. Uh, no thanks--I didn't go in.

Michael

If you can think of any others, let me know. Perhaps politician.

Many years ago I joined a BNI leads group and walked away with the impression that the people IN the group, needed it. I stayed 2 weeks and left. My view is that if you do quality work, dress and act professionally, keep professional hours and good things will happen. It may take time, 2 to 5 years even who knows. Kevin's idea is a good one on the seminars. A local accountant here in town put on QB seminars at a local library and his practice has grown well.

I prefer the good old boy networking style where we meet in the afternoon, near the end of the work day close to or in a tavern.

I've met quite a few clients just having conversations in bars and diners. I'm the kind of guy who talks to everyone.

Like some of the others, I've also learned it takes a long time to develop relationships. One group that I belong to has about half a dozen accountants as members. I'm the only one who is consistently at the meetings month after month. That sends a positive message to people.

Toastmasters might also be a great option. It is dirt cheap and is packed with Self Employed individuals.

Another thing that I recommend is doing Ironman Triathlons - they are packed with successful self employed individuals. It is a great way to get wired in with the local community. They are obviously not for everyone.