How To Network On A Budget

Networking still remains a very important mainstay in business development and retention. Some of us may enjoy the beauty of a corporate expense account to assist with these efforts, while others have to find alternate means of meeting new potential clientele. As the “fake it till you make it” stance has never, in my opinion, been fiscally sound, here are five cost friendly suggestions for meeting and networking with potential clients and colleagues when your pockets are low.

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1) Use Your Resources: If you represent an artists, company and/or not for profit organization, you should look to invite potential clients to an event your current client is hosting. I often receive invitations to listening parties, concerts and fashion shows as a perk of representing some of my clients. Bringing along potential clientele can not only open the door for new business for you, it can also assist with cross promotion and opportunities for your current clients.

2) Order Lunch To Their Office: You know what your small business account is holding, and if it is not fiscally responsible to spend $200.00 at lunch, heck, even if it is not fiscally responsible to spend $50.00, order a small lunch to the office of the person you would like to meet with. This way you save them time and a trip out of the office.

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3) Meet For Coffee Instead Of Cocktails: If you live in New York, one thing is for certain and that is the cost of an after work cocktail is the price of a small meal. An invitation for coffee is an invitation to sip slow and spend sensibly while conversing about upcoming projects and how you and your company may assist.

4) Volunteer: Young entrepreneurs should also look into meeting new people and opening themselves to new opportunities by volunteering with organizations they may able to provide services for in the future. Additionally, volunteering and serving on Boards of non-profits may allow you to network and meet those who may be able to hire you or your company.

5) Attend Free Continuing Education Events and Receptions: If you belong to a professional organization such as NABJ, BESLA, BLSA, etc., they often times have free continuing education events and receptions. Pinpoint the person you would like to connect with at these events and make the connection. I subscribed to a legal list serve a year ago and started receiving invitations to free CLEs in re real estate matters. I immediately noticed that the sponsoring title company used these free CLEs as a means to get business from attorneys and attorneys used them to network with other attorneys for referrals.

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Rashida Maples, Esq. is Founder and Managing Partner of J. Maples & Associates (www.jmaplesandassociates.com). She has practiced Entertainment, Real Estate and Small Business Law for 9 years, handling both transactional and litigation matters. Her clients include R&B Artists Bilal and Olivia, NFL Superstar Ray Lewis, Fashion Powerhouse Harlem’s Fashion Row, KinderJam, LLC and Hirschfeld Properties, LLC.