Location, Location, Location: 41 Places to Network

By Karen Susman

Networking conjures up a picture of networking events where hundreds of people who appear to know each other gather to pass out and collect stacks of business cards. If you limit your networking to networking events, you are limiting your opportunities. Instead, network all the time, everywhere.

Make networking everywhere with anyone easier by finding the common ground you share with other people. Start with your location. If you're at a football game, you have something in common with every other person in the stands. If you've always wanted to meet a particular author, attend her book signing. You'll also have an immediate commonality with those sitting on your right and left. When you literally share common ground with someone, you're on your way to networking success.

A few places to network.

1. Conventions. Network at conventions other than the one you're attending.
   
2. Conferences where people attend that you'd like to meet
   
3. Meetings
   
4. Trade shows
5. Planes, trains, buses
6. Grocery
7. Galleries
8. Museums
9. Seminars and workshops
10. Parties
11. Coffee shops
12. Restaurants.
13. Children's birthday parties
14. Alumni groups
15. Your high school classmates
16. Your spouse's professional functions
17. The theater
18. A concert
19. PTA
20. Neighborhood block parties
21. Church or synagogue
22. Charity events
23. Committee meetings of large organizations
24. Waiting in line.
25. The restroom (Women are pros at this.)
26. Gas station
27. Car dealerships
28. Library
29. Ski lift
30. Tiffany's
31. Bookstore
32. Service clubs
33. Hobby activities
34. Sporting events
35. Traveling
    
36. Checking in to a hotel
37. Conference field trips
38. Volunteering
39. Waiting rooms
40. Airports and train stations
41. Political campaigns
    

Use good judgment, of course. Location commonality is the answer to the questions, "What do we talk about?" and "How do I get a conversation started?" Begin with where you are and the event(s) going on around you. Get started networking all the time everywhere.

Karen Susman, Speaker/Author/Coach, works with organizations and individuals that want to maximize their performance and quality of life. Check out her free tips and articles at www.karensusman.com. Karen can be reached at 1-888-678-8818 or karen@karensusman.com. Published in Networking Today, November 2005.