Networking is an important part of growing a small business, and I believe strongly in blending social networking with traditional face-to-face networking. But, I often joke that I have a love/hate relationship with networking, overall. It comes down to one’s ability to manage all the contacts made, no matter what the forum or medium.

For the past nine months or so I have been a member of MeetUp — an online site for organizing, finding, and participating in networking groups not confined to online interaction. If social media is word-of-mouth on steroids, MeetUp is networking, turbo-charged.

What surprises me is that many MeetUp members don’t take advantage of the features that MeetUp has designed to allow you to get the most out of networking. Here are a few tips for using MeetUp to help you network like a pro:

• Fill out your profile as completely as possible, including links to your other social profiles. This is a great way for you to let people you’ve met at a MeetUp know more about who you are and what you do.
• Check out the ‘Members’ tab in each of your groups and review the profiles — particularly profiles of people you met face-to-face at a MeetUp. This is a great way to get to know each other better, connect online, and continue the conversation.
• Be sure to check out the sponsor’s links down the left side of your groups’ MeetUp pages. Sponsors have much to do with the success of your group, and are relevant to the interests of every member. Show your appreciation for their support by getting to know them better. It’s easy to do when you follow, friend and “like” their social sites. When it’s appropriate, promote and mention them in your own posts.
• Set Privacy and E-mail Notification rules. One concern I’ve heard about MeetUp is that once you join, you seem to get bombarded with e-mail. This, however, doesn’t need to be the case. Simply go to your ‘Account’ and in the ‘Membership & Communication’ section you can choose privacy and e-mail notification settings for each of your MeetUp Groups and for general MeetUp messages.
• For those wanting to start your own MeetUp Group – MeetUp walks you through, step-by-step, how to start and grow your group. A link to get started is right at the top of their site. They offer everything from suggestions on venues to templates for name tags. They even promote your group once it’s started. Check out all the links on the site. You’re sure to find everything you need to run a successful MeetUp.

These tips just scratch the surface. With all its features, MeetUp nicely closes the gap between social media and socializing – social networking and networking. If you have a favorite use for MeetUp, or a tip you can share, please click the blue ‘comment’ link at the top of this blog and tell us about it.

Last night I attended my networking group’s monthly evening event. We call ourselves the Women’s Care Counsel (WCC), and our gatherings usually carry a theme that is of interest to women in particular (although we often invite men to join our conversations). Last night’s theme was romance. Due to an unexpected turn of events, our networking session played out a little differently than planned. The outcome, however, perfectly reflected our romance theme, as it was both intimate and passionate.

Two of our guests were women who run their own businesses. Julie Pech, aka The Chocolate Therapist told us how we can eat chocolate without guilt, and inspired us with her story about how she built her business over the past five years. Her obvious passion stimulated a lively discussion. She authored a book, has appeared on television (in fact, she’s being interviewed on Denver’s Channel 9 this morning), speaks, and is a guest presenter on luxury cruise liners. The Chocolate Therapist shop is located in historic downtown Littleton (CO), where most of her products are made. With names like Nuttopia, Going to the Dark Side and Blue Suede Shews, Julie’s creations are not only unique and imaginative, but they are made with all-natural chocolate and healthy ingredients. We all sampled chocolates from a heart-shaped box, the sale of which generates proceeds to a fund Julie calls Hearts for Haiti. What better way to spread love than by eating chocolate?

Our other guest, Corina Nelson, added equally to our evening of romance with her Scentsy wickless “candles.” Corina had several of her warmers and fragrance products displayed, and the aroma that filled the large room was divine. We were greeted with the delicious soft scents of caramel and vanilla. The glow from the tiny bulbs of the warmers cast soft shadows and created a cozy atmosphere. Corina told us how she got started in the Scentsy business only a few months ago. She left her former profession in the finance industry to pursue something that has captured her heart. She admits to having fallen in love with her new business, and is making a commitment to its success.

It truly was an evening of romance. We sipped wine, were bathed in ambient light and sweet aroma, nibbled on chocolate, and shared stories of passion and commitment. Our romance theme took on a meaning that exceeded our expectations.

I mentioned at the beginning of this blog that a turn of events created an unexpected outcome. Our original plan was to have an evening of networking and shopping. A few last-minute cancellations from vendors prompted us to reformat the event into an opportunity for deeper sharing and closer connections. Romance can be so unpredictable.