Passionate networking

image by alicia bocI spent a couple of hours today at the Small Business Conference here in SF and had the pleasure to partake in the workshop Building Success Through Networking. I found myself kind of dreading getting up and going this morning for multiple reasons. I was super sleepy and I adopted a new feline friend yesterday and didn't want him to spend the morning alone. I knew it would be super informative and I had promised myself I would go so I got my tired self up out of bed. 

It was actually quite a bit of fun with great networking exercises, a lot of good advice and some new contacts. Most of the advice was directed towards joining groups and affiliations and how to carefully select them to develop beneficial relationships, grow professionally and to get referrals. 

Lanney Silverman of The Design Boutique shared that she chooses networking groups that not only speak directly to her profession but her outside passions as well. As Principal and graphic designer at The Design Boutique, she helps uncover the "true essence of her client's marketing objectives." Lanney also loves food and wine. Half of the groups she belongs to are based on these latter loves. She meets people with the same passions and fortunately for her, marketing and graphic design have no borders so at these events she is always meeting new clients and getting new referrals. This is also helped to extend her clients to the Napa ad Sonoma County areas where she works with wineries and vineyards.

When you are participating in things you are passionate about you are effortlessly filled with energy and excitement. People are naturally drawn to you. No wonder these networking connections bring her so much success. She must be beaming.

I'm inspired. Are you?