I have talked about this before, but it seems even more important now when so many people are trying to find extra income outside of the traditional 9 to 5 arena.

You have a family to take care of and a house to manage, but you do want home business success too. Moms or dads who have a problem finding time to get out of the house to go to a networking event are often disappointed when the event turns into nothing more than a couple of hours of meet and greet, rather than a meeting of like-minded entrepreneurs. What can you do? You can make networking events work for you by fine-tuning your networking skills.

My advice is to reach beyond your networking comfort zone when looking for people to network with. Take a close look at your resume and really see what is there. Is "Webmaster" is listed on your resume and business card? Do you only think in terms of building a four or five page web site? Try to think outside of the "Webmaster" box and move beyond that. When talking to a business owner who already has a business web site up and running, mention that you can build them a one or two page virtual business biography. What is a VBB? It is simply a business resume that can stand alone as a business biography and is available on the Internet. This means that it can be linked to a live business site, but also stands out as a separate site. Most business people will welcome a second direct line to potential customers or clients.

If you sell Tupperware, go to your next networking event with an open mind. Tupperware can hold more than food. I have a Tupperware cereal container that I have used for change for many years. It's sturdy, indestructible, and easy to open when I need a couple of quarters. If

Networking 101

Handy items for your purse or pocket:

• A few 3 x 5 index cards for taking notes, etc. Have extras to hand to the person who asks if you have a piece of paper. If you are a guerilla marketer, make or order labels that you place on the cards. Now the recipient has the name of person who gave him or her needed blank card.
  
• If you make your own biz cards, bring a few blank cards for those who do not have cards. Give them a business blank card to write their information, you are less likely to lose or misplace it. If you do not make your own cards, buy a pack of blank cards. Instead of making business cards, leave them blank and give those who made the mistake of not bringing enough (or any) business cards. See guerilla marketer just above.
  

Make sure you have a proper business cards. You card should be:

• Clean and unmarked with neat edges,
  
• In a holder or clean pocket,
  
• Up-to-date information; no cross outs or hand-written changes,
  
• Suitable for your line of business. If you have several businesses have an appropriate card. A double-sided card is perfect for multiple businesses.
  
• Readily available. You should not have to search for your card.
  

Things to do the following week:

• Send a personal note or e-mail to each person you are interested in networking with. Give or ask for a date of next contact or ask for meeting. Then follow-up and follow through.
  
• Send out a general note to those you have no interest or need in networking with but enjoyed meeting. This can be a short blind copied e-mail message. Just let them know that it was nice meeting them and sign off with your business information. There is a better chance that you will be remembered. Why be remembered by someone you don't want to network with? Because you may want to network with their friend! Because remembering a person can mean a referral.
  

You can do your follow-ups during your down time or get up a half hour before everyone else does. It is important to carve out some time for yourself and your business if you want it to grow and flourish.

Susan RoAne's How to Work a Room, Revised Edition: Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing is basic networking 101 as is the original How to Work a Room, but if you are new to networking, it is a good primer for doing the right thing. Available from Amazon.