How to Start Your Own Networking Group in 7 Quick Tips

If you're someone frustrated with type of connections you have or lack, are tired of attending lame networking events, or just want to connect with like-minded individuals, then starting a networking group could be right for you.

Are you organized? Enjoy meeting new people? Open-minded to trying new things? These are just some of the qualities that you should possess when taking on this task. Maybe you want to collaborate with friends or colleagues.

Everyone needs help building their network. We switch careers or jobs, start businesses and really don't have the connections that a traditional work environment provides. So starting a networking group not only helps you but serves the greater good.

1. Start with a small free event, by small I mean no more than 8 people. You want to get in the swing of learning who people are and engaging in conversation.

2. Have a discussion topic that pertains to something current in your industry or business, an issue or news topic that will allow for people to engage.

3. If you have an area of expertise, offer a discussion based around that or give tips for people to acquire new skills.

4. Choose a location that will allow for conversation without disruption (such as loud music, foot traffic, etc.).

5. If you host at a restaurant, choose affordable options with entrees under $24. (This will be different if you select to offer a prix fixed menu, have a caterer, etc.)

6. Promote on social media, email your LinkedIn contacts in your area, and utilize sites such as Eventbrite. (Eventbrite is just a suggestion, if you don't want to utilize direct email. If you host future events you will be able to reach your past attendees more easily.)

7. Give a thank you gift or parting favor. It adds a special touch to your event.


These are just a few quick tips, if you have any questions don't hesitate to connect with me at jamillah@100businessgirls.com.

The Benefits + Dangers of Competition: 10 Major Keys to Remember

competition: the opposite of cooperation. It arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared or which is desired individually but not in sharing and cooperation. 


Having started #100BusinessGirls in 2011, I sometimes question if it's still necessary. When our meetups first started it was new and exciting. There were only a few groups like ours and we were niche. Well now that niche is no more. And while that's a great thing, it can be daunting if you're someone that has a competitive mindset. It's natural. It's one of the main things that you're taught in Marketing and Business 101. But is having a competitive spirit really healthy?

Competition can be empowering, it can keep your ideas fresh and business interesting. It keeps you sharp, determined, maybe even driven. You can learn from where your competition has failed. Most of all, when others enter your market or niche, it provides validity to the problem you want to solve.

 

 The Benefits + Dangers of Competition 

1. Competition can be empowering, it can keep your ideas fresh and business interesting.
2. Competition keeps you sharp, determined and driven.
3. You can learn from where your competition has failed.

4. When others enter the market, it provides validity to the problem you want to solve.

Focus on Your Own Race

5. Your ego is your biggest competitor. It will keep you from accomplishing your goals and keep you in a state of comfort. Comfort is your default setting that you need to break out of and continuously add things to make you grow stronger. You must master the ability to quiet your ego. So for every negative thought, combat it with two positive thoughts. With practice this will become a habit.

6. In our daily interactions with social media, we can get bombarded by individuals sharing their pictures and good news. Don’t look at individuals as your competition. Don’t believe the hype of the pictures being painted for likes. This will create the spirit of envy because maybe your life doesn’t look like their pictures, and neither does theirs. There are social media strategies and systems that are put into place to earn followers and likes strictly for the purpose of building social media clout. What you want is longevity. Longevity will sustain your business past the latest social media trends.

7. Hating your “competition” only has a negative impact on your well-being. Your goal should always be to focus on the people you serve (audience, customers) because those are the people who believe in what you have to offer.

8. Operate from a perspective of ‘Plenty’. There is enough to go around for everyone.

9.  Instead of seeing "competitors" see them as potential partners and allies. No one will understand your journey more than someone taking a journey similar to yours.

10. When you’re brainstorming new ideas, stay off social media. Social media cleanses can be a great way to set new goals and execute those ideas. They can vary from 24 hours to how ever much time you need.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you think competition is healthy in business? 

• Have you ever doubted yourself based on what others were able to accomplish? 

• What are some ways having competition has helped you succeed? Or has it ever? 

Written by: Jamillah Y. Johnson

jamillah@100businessgirls.com

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The Clearest Explanation On Money + the Law of Attraction (1 HR, 10 MIN)

Change your mindset, change your life. Take some time out and watch this eye-opening video. I highly recommend it. You will learn how we have been conditioned to place limits ourselves and how we can overcome that way of thinking + more.

Let's Do Brunch! Philly Meetup -- Saturday, May 14th *new date + time

Join us at our upcoming meetup! 

Saturday, May 7th  Saturday, May 14th *new date

2pm - 4pm  1:30pm - 3:30pm

Conversations + Connections 

Private Location - Limited Space 

RSVP Here

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Intelligent Boss Moves with Dame Dash + Dr. Boyce Watkins

Event: Let's Do Brunch! NYC Meetup -- Saturday, April 9th

Join us at our upcoming meetup!

Saturday, April 9th 

2pm - 4pm

Private Location - Midtown Manhattan

Conversations + Connections

The next Philly Brunch meetup is May 7th - Get details here

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Are You Truly Inspired or Just Following the Crowd?

Nothing sparks more debate than Beyonce performing on television. It's never her classy subdued, ballad singing operatic ones, just the bold, brash, I'm sexy and I know it, move out my way, I'm about to kill it with an army of dancers ones. And you can never be critical, not online anyway. Beyonce's fans are like a mob of Johnnie Cochrans just waiting to defend their queen.

There's no problem in sticking up for your favorite artists. The problem lies when you are so closed minded you fail to listen to the truth. You fail to understand that everyone isn't being a hater and that it's okay to look beneath the surface.

You should know when you are being marketed to. You should know when something has been crafted to shape your opinion. Critical thinking is a skill we start learning in elementary school. The problem is that some of us fail to tap into it.

So when you say you are inspired, what are you truly inspired by or are you just saying that because something looks good and everyone else is saying it's great?

The amount of work and strategy that it takes to perform and craft something unforgettable that will have people talking way past 15 minutes, is what can inspire you. Beyond jumping on social media to share a pic or to join in on praise to show you are down, you should be taking down notes.

It takes vision, seeing what those before you have done, creating a strategy, and then going forward. Nobody just wakes up great. There is a method.

How do you plan to "slay" past 15 minutes or do you care more about the likes from the crowd?

1. Decide what do you want to accomplish? What will the end goal look like? How do you want people to feel?/How do you want to feel when all is said and done?

2. Who has done it before you and how did they go about it?

3. What inspired you about your predecessors? What did they get right/wrong?

4. Craft your strategy.

5. Gather those who can help you, if necessary.

6. Execute

7. Go over what you learned.

- Jamillah Y. Johnson

jamillah@100BusinessGirls.com