BNI is now the world's largest referral organization with Chapters in many countries around the globe. It was started in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner, one of the world's leading experts in networking and word-of-mouth marketing. BNI offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.

www.bni.com

Business networking is a growing trend with an increasing number of networking opportunities. BRE has thousands of members across the UK, attending hundreds of weekly meetings that benefit their business.

www.brenet.co.uk

Business Over Breakfast clubs are all about helping members not only to get more quality business but also helping them improve their presentation skills and being able to meet with and develop mutually beneficial relationships with other business people on a regular basis. The success of Business over Breakfast clubs is due to the success it brings to its members.

www.bobclubs.co.uk

Ecademy is a Social Network for Business People founded in 1998 now with over 100,000 members worldwide. Our cause is to build the world's premier Trusted Network, connecting business people to share knowledge, contacts, support and transactions.

www.ecademy.com

LinkedIn is an online network of more than 8 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 130 industries. LinkedIn is free to join. Paid accounts give more tools for finding and reaching the right people, whether or not they are in your network.

www.linkedin.com

The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 200,000+ members across 33 regions and 230 branches. On the member benefits side, it offers assistance and support 24 hours a day, while its lobbying arm - led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall, lobbies politicians in their constituencies and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media.

www.fsb.org.uk

At the beginning, you may find you're putting in more than you're getting out, but there will come a time when that changes. If you become known for sharing your knowledge and skills, you will establish a reputation of trust, and trust is at the heart of all good relationships, including those in business.

Many people also worry about promoting themselves too blatantly. Rushing round the room giving out your card and trying to sell your business won't make a relationship: actively listening to people will, as will finding out what they do, and remembering that knowledge so you can introduce them to other people.

Your network needs maintaining. Your aim is to build long-term relationships, and that means you have to meet people several times - you can't just network once! If you stop being visible, you will be forgotten very quickly. As you keep going to events, the more people you will get to know, too, and the wider your network will grow.

Go to as many business clubs and groups as you can, initially as a guest so you can identify and join those that are most relevant to you. Work out where your potential customers and their contacts are found, and make sure you are highly visible in those places.

Take any opportunity to present yourself to individuals and groups. Presentations and public speaking are another fear of many businesspeople, and another fear that must be overcome if you are to maximise your profile-raising potential.

There are also opportunities for networking at conferences, professional organisations, events and exhibitions. Trade journals and your local Business Link, Chamber of Commerce or Federation of Small Businesses are a good way to find out what's going on.

People will ask you what you do, so think about what you have to offer - not the products you are selling, but the benefits of using those products. Prepare yourself for describing your business in terms of its benefits. Don't say: "I am a business consultant," a conversation-killer. Say: "I help companies become more profitable." You'll find that many people can't resist asking: "How?"

Keep a contacts database, even if it is just a card index system, so you can keep track of your contacts. Keep your notes up to date with information on where and when you met, what was discussed, and key points of interest about each contact. Follow up contacts when you have met them, and suggest a further meeting if it could be useful, ideally to both of you.