Networking is almost certainly the #1, most used marketing tactic of small business. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that everyone who uses it is good at it. It has been known to leave many a small business person confused, frustrated, or wanting to avoid it altogether.

Last week, I had the opportunity to facilitate a brainstorming session on the topic of networking with several small business owners. The question came up, “Where is the best place to network?” If you’ve been trying to get your business out there, you’re no doubt aware that there are a tremendous amount of events going on any given week. There are Chamber coffees and after hours, referral networking groups, leads clubs, seminars, etc.

The question is how do you choose? How do you decide where is the best place to network when there are so many options available?

My answer to this is actually quite simple…

It comes down to your clarity and focus.

You see the problem is that a huge majority of small businesses never take the time to get focused and crystal clear on who they want to help, and what they want to help them get done.

When you’re clear and focused on a specific target, doesn’t it just make sense that you’ll better know where to find them?

Too many small businesses running around from networking event to networking event desparately trying to get themselves in front of a lot of people. That’s silly.

Focus on who you want to help and what you want to help them get done. Then go find those people and begin having that conversation with them. Will you find them at the Chamber of Commerce meetings? I don’t know… maybe or maybe not.