It’s commonly known that networking is one of the most important aspects of any business. While overall networking is necessary for business most of them need different types of networking. Craigslist is probably the website that offers the most diversity in networking to be found anywhere. It doesn’t matter whether your business is established or just starting you will still need to advertise. This also applies to those just starting to network as well as ones wanting to increase their networking know-how or interested in learning more about a business or looking to meet people with similar interests. If any of these apply, then Craigslist is the best resource especially since it’s free.
Organizing Online Networking Opportunities Utilizing Craigslist
Some of the ways Craiglist can be used for networking opportunities are as follows:
Sending traffic to your website
If you sell a service or product through a website you should be taking the advantage of advertising your website address. Any place you advertise on Craigslist will assure you of a large audience but you’ll get better results if you pick locations where the audience appears to be a more interested in your type of product or service. Using a rifle approach instead of a shotgun approach will usually result in a better response.
Sending traffic to forum or message boards
By advertising on Craigslist you can direct people who share your interests to forums or message board to build up a large amount of people to network with. Be sure you advertise in the target market area of your interest instead of just a general area to get the best results.
Asking people to become subscribers
If you publish a newsletter or similar service, Craigslist is a great way to increase your number of subscribers. Go to the areas that are similar to the service your wish to find subscribers for. Advertise your service there to find people who might be interested in becoming a subscriber and will give you their email address.
Using Craigslist to Organize Offline Networking Opportunities
If you have an offline business there are many ways you can use Craigslist to organize networking opportunities to increase your business. For instance you have a direct sales business where you host parties and invite people to sample and learn more about the products. By talking about your product on the personal section you can let a whole city know at one about an upcoming meeting.
You may also be able to find others in the same or complementary field where you can join forces and create a larger party. With more people talking about the products and upcoming parties a lot more awareness will be created about your products than what you may have now. If you can get a good dialog going about your product your advertising will have a larger impact as others recognize your product.
Safety In Offline Networking
If you have a meeting or sales party, where you know everyone or know the person who brought them, you can hold it in your home with much worry about safety problems. Unfortunately this is not true when you invite people with Craigslist.
While most people you deal with are honest and won’t be any problem there is always the chance you will run into one who has some sort of mischief on their mind.
The best bet to keep from having problems is to hold the meeting, sales party or other networking opportunity in a fairly busy public place. Some libraries, mobile home park clubhouses, community center and the like have rooms you can rent.
Holding your meeting in this environment will not only keep a potential problem to a minimum but will make your potential clients feel more at ease and make them more likely to attend your networking opportunity.
Help In Finding Networking Opportunities With Craigslist
Not only is Craigslist helpful to people trying to organize networking opportunities but it’s helpful for someone looking to join some type of ongoing network. They will find many links for networking websites as well as finding forums and message boards with information throughout the Craigsist advertising community.
Because Craigslist is so large almost any type of networking opportunity can be advertised or promoted on it to a big audience. Utilizing Craigslist for your networking opportunities should be a large boost to your existing business or a big help in launching a new one.
Individuals looking for networking opportunities will also find Craigslist to be a big help in locating ongoing business or maybe joining with someone to start an opportunity.
The networking opportunities with Craigslist are almost endless so check them out and prepare to be surprised at the amount of help you can get for your networking endeavors.
