A Thought for Hump Day: Networking Luncheons

 If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. 
African Proverb

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by Skip Cohen
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​Over the years, I've written and talked a lot about establishing a networking luncheon meeting in your community. It's the perfect way to build relationships with other vendors and, in turn, create more business. This is relationship building at its very best.

Let's use a wedding photographer as an example, simply because it's so easy to understand the other vendors.

• Find a small restaurant with a private room and an inexpensive luncheon menu. It's nothing fancy, just a good space for privacy and a lunch at $10-20. We're not out to set a culinary standard; just have lunch.
• Invite vendors in the community who share the same target audience. Who you invite is up to you, but think about the power around the table if suddenly you get to know a baker or two, travel agent, bridal salon, wedding planner, florist, spa, salon, tux shop, music promoter, limo service, etc. And remember venues and caterers. Over time and building the relationship, you might even get a venue or caterer to provide lunch. 
• Everybody pays for their own lunch. You can work it out in advance with the restaurant so you're covered on the final check.  
• The agenda is simple – introduce yourself and thank them for coming. Then, go around the room and let everybody take 3-5 minutes to introduce themselves and their products/services.
• State your purpose – by getting to know each other, there might be opportunities to work together, share the cost of direct mail campaigns, cross-promotions at holiday time, or sponsorship of something in the community. 

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All of you have the same target audience: bridal clients. Getting to know each other and building relationships is vital to building your brand and, in turn, a more robust business.

Speaking of relationship-building - pick up a copy of Scott Stratten's book Unmarketing. It's an easy read and outstanding for planting the seeds of ideas to help you build a stronger business. The subtitle says it all... "Stop Marketing, Start Engaging."

Nothing will help build a stronger business better than relationship building. And as I've written in the past, partnerships also reduce your cost and expand your reach. A networking luncheon, pulled together by you, supports the leadership position you want to establish and is almost unlimited in the potential for new ideas to work together in your community.

​Happy Hump Day!

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