Connect-Relate-Network

How to Meet More Facebook Friends – Face to Face

People prefer networking events when everyone sincerely wants to get to know each other, not just sell! sell! sell! That’s what local folks are saying they like about the Friends of Facebook meet-ups organized by Mary West.

Mary is truly the Queen of Networking in Kitsap County – and beyond.  She’s one of the founders of Connect-Relate-Network. A few months ago, she started the Friends of Facebook taking place weekly in Silverdale, Gig Harbor and Bremerton.

Mary was inspired to start these meet-ups when she realized that some of us have hundreds of friends on Facebook, many of whom we may have met online and know only through Facebook. “I thought why not meet in person and really get to know each other better?” Mary says.

Ann Whitmore (certified health coach, Take Shape for Life and Healthy Losers) attends meet-ups in two locations. She says, “I’m so glad I learned about the Friends of Facebook groups! I’ve been to the Silverdale and Gig Harbor Friends of Facebook groups, and I love the people I’ve met at both of them! When networking groups are fun and worthwhile for me is when people are honestly interested in each other and each other’s businesses, as opposed to being ‘in it for themselves’. The people I’ve met at both meetings are warm, interested, generous people who are actually curious about me, and I find myself committed to helping to connect more people to them and their businesses. This is networking at its best!”

The “Queen” Keeps Things Casual

It’s a casual, friendly group. Most people who attend have a business, but that’s not required – all Facebook Friends are welcome. “We go around and introduce ourselves and say what we do,” Mary explains. “Then I always have a question to ask that helps us get to know each other better over time.” For example, one week the question was: What do you like to do when you aren’t working? A different question each week sparks discussion, so attendees are getting to know each other.

Bryan Garret (Kitsap Errand Runner), a frequent participant, says, “My reason for staying with the group is because I’m not bombarded with the ‘buy my product’ speeches and heavy promotions. We mention who we are and what we are about, and then that wonderful question Mary comes up with to let people know a little bit about who we are as a person. As long as we keep this format, I’ll be in attendance as often as I can.”

Friends of Facebook leverages the connections made on Facebook into a more powerful networking tool by giving people a place to meet and “help us to build the deep relationships we are forming with each other” as Mary puts it.

Marleen Madding (independent associate with PrePaid Legal Services) is a faithful participant who says, “I have connected with many business professionals at the Gig Harbor meet-up. Without Friends of Facebook, I would have known them only as a Face to their Post – now I can honestly refer business their way.”

Find Out More

Go to www.marywestnetwork.com for the times and places for all Friends of Facebook meet-ups.  Then go meet your local Facebook friends!

 Posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International