Opportunity Details - First Friday Network

The challenges of networking during the pandemic

Face to face networking is not dead... it’s just on hold! When the all clear is given by the government for groups to gather again there will be a rush of people wanting to get together and network. With the likelihood that we will be able to get back into pubs and hotels in larger groups later this year, now is probably the perfect time for you to start a new network group.

Online networking is now completely accepted and people are desperate to meet others and continue to netowrk as best possible. If you set up a monthly online meeting now by the time we are allowed to go to the pub again you will have a strong following of members who will support the launch of the face to face meetings and make the events busy and vibrant.

Running an online meeting is easy – no need for lots of techie experience – you just set up your monthly meeting and invite people. Keep the meetings to around 40 minutes to start with so they fall within the free time allowance on Zoom and keep your costs to a minimum. We have a Zoom guide you can have to help you set things up.

Become the premier networker in your area by running a First Friday Network meeting!

First Friday is a business networking event held monthly with meetings across the south coast. The network is looking to expand nationally and needs self motivated, fun networkers to help us grow. The concept is: fun, relaxed and no 'lock-outs' - just an informal gathering in a welcoming environment ...it's that Friday feeling!

Most network companies charge the attendees to meet each other - pressurising members to achieve value for money against the clock whilst frantically looking to make that elusive contact. At the monthly First Friday meetings it's free to attend enabling the visitor to relax and be themselves. Also, the paid for breakfast meetings create a welcoming relaxed atmosphere that naturally leads to business and referrals being done.

Why should I run a monthly First Friday Network meeting?

Whether you are a new or established business the exposure of being the organiser of a busy network event like First Friday is priceless. Your company details appear on all marketing material and it is your name that will be mentioned when people refer new guests to visit. The cost of gaining this level of exposure would normally be prohibitive, especially if you had to buy advertising space, but the network acts as your word-of-mouth sales force! Becoming an organiser boosts your image as a trustworthy individual to do business with.

What will it cost me?

The set up fee is just £199 and then £20 a month on a rolling licence, if you would like to know more please download the information brochure here. Please note: We have reduced the costs during the pandemic – we have deferred the set up charge and it is just £10 a month until face-to-face meetings start again.

Current Licensees have stated that the cost of setting up and running a First Friday event has been recovered many times over from the contacts, and subsequent work, they have made at meetings.

Don't just take my word for it... This is what other organisers have to say about the First Friday Network and why they love it so much.

“I set it up as a good way to gain entry to the local business community as a new business in the professional sector. I also wanted to meet businesses that don’t want to go to evening and breakfast networking events. I view it as a marketing tool for my business, as I do all types of networking that I undertake, the only difference is that I am the only person there that has had a direct financial cost for attending, which is offset by the people who actively target you and the promotion that being the event organiser gives you. I have seen the benefit of running the events in quickly gaining brand awareness in the local business area. It has helped me gain business from companies that would have taken me longer to build relationships with had I not set up the First Friday Networking event. It has also helped my business find clients and I can say that the direct cost of setting up a First Friday event has been recovered many times over! We had 40 different businesses at the first event from a number of different industries and I know that I made connections at that first meeting that have produced business for me. If I did not run the event I would still attend.”

The events have been so successful for Tony he also ran a second group in Crawley for several years.

If you are interested in finding out about promoting you and your business through networking then get in touch:

Contact Steve Wilson 01243 276073 or email steve@firstfriday-network.co.uk