Business Networking-- at Whitlow's Happy Hour

A great chance for the Washington, DC-area Bizniks to get to know fellow indie professionals and businesspeople.

We're planning to creatively apply some above-and-beyond networking. Why? Too often networking event intro's can tend toward listeners thinking: "I can't use his/her service..." which short-circuits the creative potential to think of people you know who just may need them! Also, while others are introducing themselves in the standard style of networking, most of us can't help but to think about what we are going to say and how to say it.

So, instead of a routine one-minute-pitch, come prepared with a riveting story, a concrete example of a person you've helped, a person (notice I didn't say "business") who would give you a glowing reference (you don't need to share private details, just how you've made an impact). This gives us an image to remember... and makes networking referrals easier.

People that give the most quality referrals tend to be the people that receive the most.... That will be the essential theme of this event.

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  Posted by Brian Crouch, Bothell & Seattle, Washington | May 05, 2008

  I had intended for this to be at the bar, but some have expressed interest in holding it in their private room. Add your thoughts on that...
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  Posted by Business Networking, Laurel, Maryland | May 10, 2008

  Either way works for me. The private room would allow us to focus a little more on just the folks who are part of Biznik. Might be good as a first event. We can always invite other people at the bar to join us if it looks like they'd be interested.

  Where Networking is a "Contact" Sport!
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  Posted by Brian Crouch, Bothell & Seattle, Washington | May 10, 2008

  Since we haven't had much response to this event yet, I was considering hosting at the City Club in Franklin Square or Columbia: perhaps that would be an easier location?
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | May 16, 2008

  Congrats Brian for hosting this stellar event. You rock.

  Brian is someone I've enjoyed networking with here in Seattle, and I invite everyone in the Arlington/DC area to attend this event and meet him, too.

  Biznik Business Networking
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  Posted by Colleen Johnson, Ruther Glen, Virginia | May 22, 2008

  Brian was kind enough to email me personally. I truly wish that I could attend this event. It just happens to be bad timing for me as my husband will be deploying.
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  Posted by Barry Abrams, Upper Marlboro, Maryland | May 28, 2008

  I was at the event and I was impressed with the caliber of people I met. They were personable, interesting, and very knowledgeable about the mechanics of business, e-commerce, social networking, publishing, e-publishing, sales, and marketing. I was there from 5:40 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and enjoyed the conversations immensely. The people I met were great contacts. They were not fluff and were honest about the difficulties in networking when you are a small business which was refreshing. Although they were honest, they still maintained the "Can-Do Attitude" and understood to be successful your behaviors and systems have to be consistent to generate revenue.
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  Posted by Buck Downs, Washington, D.C. | May 28, 2008

  I agree with Barry that it was an invigorating conversation. There were few in attendance, but that led to the kind of intense discussion that can only happen in small groups. I would be interested in working with others to organize another event -- thanks go out to Brian for getting this one started.
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  Posted by Brian Crouch, Bothell & Seattle, Washington | May 28, 2008

  Thanks, guys, for making the effort to join the event. I really liked meeting you and hearing about your businesses-- great group! It was fun to try this experiment in cross-country, bicoastal networking while out visiting my sisters. Hey, one of you should invite Rick Dassler to join Biznik: you boost your "ranking" when you invite new members. And then of course I will add him to the list of attendees! Thanks again!