Oklahoma Networking

Welcome to a place where Oklahoma small business owners can go to to find other Oklahoma small business owners. All business owners the power and value of networking. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone is going to start something part-time you need a place where you can find some great networking resources in Oklahoma City metro area. Welcome to such a place.

If you don’t see an event here then Contact Us and we will get it listed. This page is for regular scheduled events specifically designed to exchange information and grow business. We prefer to not list just social events here, but we may end up with some. It just depends on how useful it is to the growth and exchanging of information to the attendees.

How to network – please read this!

If you want to see my humorous take on how you should be networking watch this YouTube video.

All kidding aside networking is serious business – every pun intended. You are attending an event specifically to exchange information with other people that you can help (notice I listed that first) and that can help you (that is your second priority). There are no rules for networking. But there are guidelines. These guidelines come from our extensive experience of doing it right, but a lot of experience of doing it wrong. If you are new to this then you need to pay attention to the guidelines below. Violate them and you risk being laughed by your peers and being the subject of whispered conversations as you enter and leave the room.

Note: Some of the tips below have been received from other people. In those cases I’ve hyperlinked back to them so you can network with them and get some of their awesomeness.

• Attire: Dress like you mean business. In the ever casual world we have become very sloppy in this area. As much as information workers think it is cool to run around in jeans and dirty tshirts, this is not the place for it. Guys – Wear a nice pair of slacks and a shirt that tucks in. The iron is your friend and I promise it does not bite. No tie needed. Ladies – wear the same. Or whatever you want to that looks 1/2 way decent. Make sure all of the necessary areas are covered. Including the ladies up top. You are not at a club, you are networking to grow your business. The only people that should really be in jeans are people that wear them as part of their job (Construction, etc). If you have just come from a job site and are dirty and sweaty consider skipping networking for the night until you can come cleaned up. I’ve been to events where people come in just funky. It is not a pretty site. Don’t do it. When you walk in the door of the event people will remember how you first looked for a long time. If someone has never met you they will instantly judge you, and don’t fool yourself into thinking otherwise. When you are a big deal you can get away with wearing whatever you want and people will still swoon over you. Note: Casual Fridays have their own rules. Good looking jeans and an untucked shirt can still be cool.
• Attitude: Your primary goal is to meet people you have never met before and see how you can help them. Helping does not always means selling them something. After helping them your goal should be to see if they can help you. You are there to make friends first, and then possibly do business with those friends in the future. Don’t whine or complain about your day or other people. That is a turn off. If someone is talking try hard not to interrupt. Don’t try to one up stories or experiences that are related to you. Ask open ended questions, not yes or no questions.
• Toolkit: Bring business cards. A lot of them. Keep your box of business cards in the car. You will almost never need them at home or in the office. And if you do – they are right out there in the car! I try to always make sure I keep five of my cards in my wallet at all time. It is amazing that I have to even say this. If you don’t have them you should reconsider going. Give out three to every person. Why? If they give your card to someone else they lose it. Never give out just one. Consider writing the date and place of the event on the back of 20 cards before you walk in so people know where they met you. When you get someone’s card write that information on the back. Also write down anything you learned about them. Was today something special for them? Wife’s name? Kid’s names? What they are really looking for? Are they a golfer? Write down everything you learned about that person ASAP. Send them a follow-up thank you email asking what you can do for them. Is it a serious contact or warm prospect? Set up the next meeting ASAP. Bring a buddy. Work the room together. “Have you met Patrick yet?” Works great if you are shy or nervous.
• Drinking/Eating: If you love to hit the bottle consider not doing it on that day. If you do have a drink make it one, make it small and make it weak. This is not happy hour, even if it is “happy hour”. This is business hour. You came to help people , and to get helped. If you are sloshed people will definitely remember you, but not for the way you want. Don’t overload your plate and, if you possible, don’t eat the stuff. Concentrate on the people, not the food. Your purpose is to converse and listen. If you are juggling food and eating, that’s distracting and unprofessional
• Misc: Check your breath. Gum is your friend. Keep a pack in the car. Pop a piece in your mouth while you are driving there. Get rid of it before you walk in the front door. Don’t walk in the door with a bag of fast food. If you haven’t eaten for the day down it in the car. Don’t check your phone while attempting to build a relationship with the person in front of you

Weekly Networking Events in the Oklahoma City Metro Area (Guthrie to Norman)

Monthly Networking Events