Daily Camera

meetup

Social media transforms Boulder business networking

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/aug/17/boulder-social-media-business-networking/

My Meetup got some good coverage in the Boulder paper the Daily Camera. I hold these twice a month one in Longmont and one in Boulder.  They are a good way to network and get feedback and learn from other entrepreneurs.  We usually have anywhere from 10-25 people show.   This is the first real marketing for the group.  I have so far only posted the group on meetup and once or twice on craigslist.

The group is about a year old and has gone through some growing pains and format changes in that time. Currently the format I have found to work well is that we meet around 6:30 for informal social networking time before the meeting officially starts at 7:00.  We introduce ourselves, including our elevator pitch and pass out business cards or coupons and usually we will have a question to answer to get to know everyone a little better.  Such as “What is the most recent business book you’ve read?”  or “How do you follow up with leads you meet in social settings?”

From there the pitching stops this is not a platform but a social support setting.  We learn and share with one another.  We had to set that boundary cause some people tried to use it to sell their products. You will get a chance to make a contact but follow up one on one outside the meeting.

Around 7:30 once the introductions are done there is a brief 20 minute presentation on current business topics.  This will help steer the conversation later in the meeting.   Once the presentation is done the forum becomes a round table or mastermind group.  People are encouraged to bring up their latest challenge or ask the group for feedback on business related issues.   As entrepreneurs bootstrapping our businesses we tend to work in a vacuum and the feedback helps to make informed decisions.

These discussions often turn to marketing and business development or startup questions we all face in business.  The meeting is officially closed around 8:30  but people often hang around to continue the round table or to break off again to more social time.

I usually charge $5.00 per meeting.  This goes to cover my cost of the meetup and any expenses on the room.  I would like to thank Cantina Laredo in Boulder and Dickens Tavern in Longmont for supporting my meetings.