Hello my networking friend. Welcome back!

Have you used both the tourist and detective technique and still find yourself frustrated? Are you dreading the next networking meeting?

First of all, I'm sorry. It stinks to not have fun networking.

The ugly truth is, it's not you, it's the groups you are visiting. If you have implemented the tourist and detective techniques, and you are truly looking to build referral partners instead of pitching opportunities, but you aren't getting any good vibes from the people you are around, you need to find new people.

It's time to play judge.

Here's what I recommend you should require, at a minimum, from any networking group:

• A clear understanding of the group's purpose and expectations from you.

• A genuine interest from the people in the group in you and your business.

• Members who want to see you succeed, and who are excited you are there.

• Supportive leaders/members who reach out to you after the meeting, instead of waiting on you to contact them.

If you aren't getting interest or support, you will not find fulfillment in the groups you are visiting. It's time to look elsewhere.

I have great news for you! There are truly life changing networking groups out there, you just have to visit until you find one or two or three (as many as you can realistically handle) that you love. You'll know when you've found one.

You'll know you are in the right place when:

• Friendly faces greet you within minutes of your arrival

• People at the meeting talk to you and ask you questions about your professional and personal life, instead of leaving you standing alone and awkward

• The meeting's beginning and end time is clear, and is adhered to (this shows the people respect your time)

• The meeting is well organized, and still has a friendly vibe

• Leaders and/or members follow up with you after the meeting and ask for a one on one coffee or lunch meeting

Finally, some networking groups have membership fees, while others do not. Please do not discount a networking group because it has a membership fee. Good things cost money.

Networking groups with membership fees have a great advantage, their members are truly committed to passing referrals and building relationships.

Free groups are advantageous as well, because a new business owner without resources can begin building a referral network by visiting these groups right away.

Regardless of a payment component, your networking should be fun, not drudgery. It can be fun, you just need to find the right people, and you need to have the right mindset; network with a long term goal of building others up and reciprocating, instead of pitching.

Networking is building relationships. It's reciprocity. It's a long game.

Get good at finding out how you can help, find the right people to help, and you will begin building a fan base for your business. You'll have so much fun doing it, if you stand in generosity, not in ego.

Go network my friend, and remember;

Find your people and have fun building businesses together!

Faithann Basore and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 10 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.

Have networking questions? Email me at [email protected].