MariaB
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Joined: 4/3/2007
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This sounds like a really good idea, I used to go to business networking events which helped me enormously. Why hasn't someone come up with this sort of thing for the fet world before?!?!
Are these people going to be offered membership after the first meeting? Is it invite only?
First things first.... Meet them at the door and take their name, their email and hopefully a mobile phone number. You need to know who is at your meeting.
You need to come up with a programme for the event, otherwise all you have is a munch (perhaps that's all you want?) and you need to stick to it rigidly.
The programme doesn't need to be complicated. It might be as simple as a 'meet and drink' at the beginning of the evening, where people are bumbling around the bar introducing themselves to one another and hugging old friends. This also allows for late comers. At some point and before everyone starts asking what this is about, you need to bring everyone together and do a presentation yourself to explain to everyone why they are their and what's expected of them. This is the time to give them a schedule for the rest of the evening. Remember, members have to feel they are getting something out of it or they won't come back.
I would include, at least one presentation from a guest speaker (perhaps someone who has been making and selling for years and is a well respected member of the community).
Perhaps an introduction time, where people can stand up and give a 2 minute talk about their business. You, as the organiser must be confident enough to stop them if they overrun that 2 minutes!
Give everyone a pen and paper so that they can write down email addresses or contact details of the people they are interested in.
Find a speaker who can teach people how to make a good presentation. This is very important for those wishing to run workshops.
Finally allow some open networking time.
The only problem with craft people meeting other craft people is, it doesn't open enough doors and that's certainly the only reason I would be attending such a group. I would hope the strength of the group could improve my market, whatever my market is. Lets say for example, I was making leather products and I was a skilful artist but I didn't have a clue how to market my product. I would hope to meet someone who already attends markets and has a stall and would be happy to try and market my product. I would perhaps want to meet someone who could build a fetish website for me. Whilst its always nice to chat to other people who have a similar interest. If I can't network at such a meeting, its doubtful I would attend more than once.
Please keep in mind that when people get all enthusiastic online and promise to attend if only someone else will put 'it' together, doesn't mean anything. I have been involved in putting on events for years and you never know from one week to the next how many attendees will be present unless they have paid up-front.
Edited because I always edit ;)
< Message edited by MariaB -- 9/25/2013 2:42:20 PM >
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My store is http://e-stimstore.com
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