While the Internet plays a large role in many marketing plans, the art of building relationships through face-to-face meetings and interactions is not dead. There are many business owners who still find local and industry networking events to be a very effective technique for marketing their small business.
First of all, the amount of networking opportunities is relative to the dynamics of your business. Nearly every industry has trade shows and conferences where networking and promotion is the main objective. The scale of the event can range from niche to broad and regional to national to even international. However, sometimes for small business owners this can impose a "little fish in big pond" scenario and every business owner seeking success would rather be the big fish in a little pond naturally.
Local events such as art festivals, chamber of commerce events, farmer's markets and even alumni group meetings can provide a number of opportunities for small business owners to network and market their services. Sponsoring or hosting a charity event is also another way to not only reach out locally but also make a positive impact in your community. An additional bonus is giving your small business a positive reputation as well. If you're just starting out, there are cost-effective ways to market locally such as interest groups online that can lead to in-person meetings and events.
Certain websites like Meetup.com are specifically intended for people who share the same interests to "meet up" with one another locally. There are also websites for professional networking like LinkedIn.com that provide professionals with the opportunity to meet other professionals online. Websites like this allow business owners to build connections and network with people who work in their industry as well as people who seek services within that industry or profession.
Networking locally gives the members and residents of your community a face and an attitude to put with a name, which can make a huge impact on the growth of your business. Business owners should know that sometimes shaking hands and talking shop can lead a small business to big success.