Networking is a key ingredient to personal and professional success. Ask small business owners how they get most of their clients and you’ll frequently hear “through word of mouth.” Read more (members only)

Readers often ask about the kind of results they should expect from joining a service club, such as Rotary, Lions, or Kiwanis. If you go to meetings regularly, exchange cards with people, follow up with other members after meetings, keep in touch with them, and still don’t get any clients from there, is it worthwhile being a member? Read more (members only)

Every year, companies, associations, and nonprofits take the time to recognize the achievements of important people. In your local paper, trade journal, or association newsletter, you’ll always find award ceremonies listed. Some are local groups, but you’ll also find Read more (members only)

Meeting new people in person is still one of the best ways to market your services. If you do a good job at this, you will quickly end up with a desk drawer filled with business cards. But then what do you do with them? Read more (members only)

When I was first building my coaching practice I worked hard to increase my visibility in a specific target market — self-employed professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. The day I knew I had done it right was when I first heard these words from a prospective client: “I see your name everywhere!” Read more (members only)

The most important question to ask yourself when looking for places to network is, “where do my clients hang out?” The second most important question is, “where do my potential referral sources hang out?” Read more (members only)

Established professionals and those who are new in business often have a difference of opinion about networking. The old-timers usually say that networking is one of their most important sources of clients, while the newcomers frequently claim Read more (members only)