Networking is a very valuable tool for certain people in select types of businesses. While it is important for everyone to have connections in the business community, it is also important to be very careful with the amount of time you spend on networking. You can easily find that networking groups are not as profitable as you anticipate, can be costly and may take up a lot of your time. However, sometimes they are very useful sales tools.

If you have a B2B type of small business, networking groups can be exceptionally good. All the other members of the group will likely be small business owners and therefore potential clients for you.

If you sell personal services that everyone can potentially use, networking groups can also be a good place to market. Bring a “freebie” such as a promotional item to hand out, or a product or gift certificate for a door prize when possible, to make sure your name gets around.

If you are the product, networking groups are helpful, but only if you make good first impressions and handle networking situations with ease and confidence. Chiropractors, website developers, writers, marketers, success coaches, masseuses and others are some of those product people who can benefit from networking one on one.

If your business is locally based, networking groups can also be extremely helpful. You may want to seek out one that is leads based, meaning there is only one business person from each type of business in the group and all members cross-promote one another.

For individuals who fall into any of these categories, carefully selected networking groups should pay off. If you are ill at ease, have a very small niche market, sell globally or have a very costly product, you may not want to spend time on networking groups at all. Focus your marketing and sales efforts elsewhere.