NETWORKING : BUSINESS : LEARNING : MARKETING : SOCIAL MEDIA
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST FRIDAY NETWORK
HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS BY RUNNING YOUR OWN NETWORK GROUP
Word of mouth introductions lead to huge amounts of profitable business but building longterm and effective relationships through your local business network takes time, patience and skill before it pays off. Start running your own First Friday meetings and you’ll soon be reaping all the rewards networking has to offer.
First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
When did First Friday Network start?
The First Friday Network was started by Steve Wilson of Wilson Design Associates in Chichester, West Sussex in March 2003. After moving his business from London he was doing the rounds of network meetings and decided there was a gap in the market for those people who didn’t want an early morning breakfast meeting or a weekly commitment, or indeed to pay a subscription to a large organisation.
First Friday was created to provide the local business community with a venue to network, meet, promote, share and exchange ideas – for free! The initiative was supported and promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Service at the Council and soon proved to be a very popular event on the networking calendar. So much so, that people started to approach Steve asking if there were plans to start meetings in other locations!
The success of the format has captured the imagination of local small businesses and support organisations. New groups are constantly starting, expanding the network ever wider. All of the groups belong to the wider network but are run by local business people, with local knowledge and local contacts. To see a year in my life as a networker take a look at pages 12 to 18 where you can see in a little more detail all the things I got up to – in addition to the normal network meetings – in just 12 months!
“Steve not only recognises the power of business networking, but has created a powerful, enjoyable and very successful model in First Friday. As an active participant, I thoroughly recommend both Steve and the First Friday network.” Paul Dallibar, Gordian Solutions Ltd “Steve is excellent at making introductions and connecting people together. I highly recommend Steve and First Friday.” Graham Constantine, Whole Being “Steve is a very inspirational person. We worked together on setting up a successful breakfast networking group – TBI. He is very trustworthy, reliable and fun to work with. He has artistic flare and is also full of suggestions and ideas to make the group more fun and work more efficiently. He went on to set up the First Friday group which again has also been very successful.” Shirley Barnes, Dinamiks Ltd
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
What is First Friday Network?
It is not a money making business – it is a marketing tool for you and your business.
Every business person that runs a First Friday group is a keen networker and understands the benefits of being known locally, reaping the rewards of the extra exposure to the business community.
The First Friday Network is a free business networking event held monthly on various Fridays, currently with meetings across East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire and London. However, the network is looking to expand nationally. The concept is: free entry, no pre-booking, no ‘lock-outs’ – just an informal gathering in a welcoming environment – where people feel relaxed and under no pressure to perform a ‘60-second elevator pitch’. 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 First Friday there is no cost to attend, enabling the visitor to relax and be themselves. This is much more productive than delivering a desperate sales pitch in the hope of getting an immediate response and closing the deal!
Promoting the First Friday Network at the Business Network Show 2014 and 2015 in Wolverhampton. Pictured with Brad Burton of 4N, the organiser of the show.
Why should you run a 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. My own experience is that my name is given to new businesses looking to enter the network arena by the local business support agencies such as The Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Services at the Council.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk Promoting the network at the Business Network Show in Wolverhampton 2014, with Stefan Thomas of 4N (author of the Business Networking for Dummies book), and Stefan at the Chichester First Friday meeting.
Promoting the network at the Business Show in London.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
How do you get started?
Once you have signed the Licence the first thing to do is find a venue that can hold the meeting comfortably at no cost to you. Generally a pub or hotel will be more than happy to allow you to hold a meeting there – for them you are bringing in regular customers who will not only spend money at the bar but may well start using the venue for business meetings or socialising. Once you have secured a location you need to promote it!
How do you promote the meetings?
We will promote your meetings by including the details on the website and monthly eNewsletter and through social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and on the FindNetworkingEvents.com website, but you need to promote it locally as much as you can. Contact your Chamber of Commerce, Council Economic Development team and other network groups like 4Networking, BNI or BRX. If you already attend network groups take some business cards and promote the First Friday Network; keen networkers are always looking for fresh meetings to attend. Try to get some press coverage by writing to the business editor of your local paper, or the business newsdesk at the local radio station – they are always on the lookout for great business stories.
Promoting charity events like BHF Rock up in Red, or Comic Relief helps promote your meetings and also gives an incentive to attend, along with credibility and focus.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
Setting the scene at your meetings
Try to make it obvious where you are and who is at the meeting. The roller banners are a great way to welcome people and immediately set the scene. Have a table where people can display their promotional literature and cards. It allows people to browse at their leisure and pick up details of people they may not have managed to meet. Make sure they take it with them when they go. This can become cluttered so control how much is put out if you can!
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
The website
The website and the eNewsletters are our main marketing tools. Currently the website has over 3000 registered users across a wide range of business sectors and nearly 2000 directory listings.
Your local meeting page
Your own meeting page is your chance to keep local information fresh and relevant and promote events that will help your network group.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
The business directory
The directory is free to register with and is a great resource, it currently has over 2000 businesses registered and we get more every month. We have introduced an enhanced listing to this section on the site. This is part of the paid for Premier Membership, this also gives them access to the blog, for a fee of just ÂŁ10 per year or ÂŁ19.95 for lifetime membership.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
Social Media
We actively promote the network, networking news and Premier Members blog through social media. We have a good following on Twitter (over 3500), LinkedIn group (over 800) and a growing following on Facebook.
You could create your own groups as some other Licensees have done to communicate locally if you want.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
What other Licensees have said over the years Eastbourne “As an enterprise agency we have always promoted to new businesses the positive aspects of networking, and to look for networking groups that match their individual personality, business needs and pocket! For many new businesses, First Friday is a perfect format – non-threatening, informal and free. As we deliver services across both East and West Sussex, we are able to signpost a number of businesses into the various First Friday groups with first hand knowledge of how well the format works. Our main reason for starting the group in Eastbourne was to introduce businesses to the format and encourage them to expand their horizons and visit groups in other locations.” Lewes “I heard about Steve's First Friday Network from a colleague who had attended some of the meetings and raved about them. When I approached him in 2007 about setting up a First Friday in Lewes, he was extremely helpful and offered all the support and advice I needed to start the group. Other networking groups come and go but the First Friday concept remains as strong as ever, much of which has to be down to Steve’s selfless direction and hard work behind the scenes.”
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
What will it cost you?
The cost of setting up a First Friday Network event is just £360, plus £18 a month. Run on a rolling monthly licence.
We will supply you with everything you need to get started in marketing your event as part of your set up fee: l Roller banner = £99 l 500 business cards = £55 l 500 leaflets = £110 l Your own web page on the First Friday site = £199 l Premier Membership = £24.95 l Email marketing system = £199
That’s a total of £686.95 worth of material for just £360 ! All fees/costs are subject to VAT.
You will also receive a bonus gift when you sign up that will help you to build your business through your networking activity! It is up to you how much more promotional material you buy in the future to market your event (but you must use official marketing material and protect the First Friday Network brand image in everything you do). 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 they have made at meetings! See what Tony from Worthing had to say: “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 has gone on to open a second group in Crawley!
So what now? Time to make your decision and get in touch! You must remember this is not a revenue stream, it’s a marketing tool! If you feel you are the right kind of person to run a group and grow your business through networking more effectively then give me a ring or send an email and we’ll get you started... it’s that easy! Steve Wilson: 01243 787100 / steve@firstfriday-network.co.uk
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
DIARY OF A NETWORKER Hi, I am Steve Wilson and I thought I should tell you a little bit about me and a snapshot of a year in my life as a networker! I have been recognised for my contribution to the local business scene at the Chichester Observer Business Awards for three years running, winning Business Personality of the Year in 2009 and runner up in 2008 and 2010. You’ve probably met me, if not networking one Friday lunchtime in Chichester, then perhaps at some other event along the south coast where I’ve been the one in the middle of the throng introducing all the newcomers to the old faces! You see I have become something of a serial networker. I like people, I buzz about business and when the two mix together I’m in my element. Not only am I a regular face at many business network events, but I am best recognised as the creator, mover and shaker behind the increasingly popular First Friday Network which currently spans locations across the south coast and is now moving onwards and upwards into the rest of the country! When I’m not out and about introducing business folk to one another and spotting potential collaborations between them, I’m busy running my design business in the heart of Chichester, where I have been based since 2001. The company, Wilson Design Associates (WDA), produces creative design solutions in the corporate, marketing and promotional sectors for both national and local clients. Over the years we have designed for The National Gallery, Womens Institute, Serco, Rentokil Initial, Southern Rail, Chichester District Council, Chichester Cathedral and the Health Education Authority. Major publishing companies, such as Dorling Kindersley, Conran Octopus and Walker Childrens Books, have also used our services. I also run a print management company called Chichester Print. Energy and enthusiasm flows into local activities too: I have been Chairman of the Chichester branch of the South Coast Design Forum, board member and guest speaker of the Chichester Education Business Partnership, judge and guest speaker for Young Enterprise and an active member and promoter of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce. Here’s what the local business community has to say about me: “Steve has provided an excellent service in relation to my business branding, print design and website. He has also developed a really good networking model in the form of First Friday which complements perfectly the more structured, formal and subscription-based networking forums that I attend.” Alan Edmonds, Improbiz “Steve not only recognises the power of business networking, but has created a powerful, enjoyable and very successful model in First Friday. As an active participant, I thoroughly recommend both Steve and the First Friday network.” Paul Dallibar, Gordian Solutions Ltd “I first met Steve at First Friday Chichester and was impressed with him and his networking event. I spoke to him after attending several First Friday events about setting up one in Worthing. His support to allow this to happen has been great, with a very quick turn around allowing me to set up the first Worthing event within ten days. He also gave me some great advice on how to make people aware of the event, which worked so well we had over 40 businesses at our first event! A great networker.” Tony Hedger, A & T Business Associates Ltd
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
“I recommend Steve Wilson of WDA as a creative graphic designer producing high quality work that continues to delight customers and exceed expectations. But that’s not all you get with Steve. He has built a successful business on a strong ethical basis working within the local community investing in the future by supporting the Young Enterprise programme, strengthening the business community serving the Chamber of Commerce and developing and expanding his own First Friday Network Group which is built on zero cost to participants, a welcoming format and inclusivity. And that’s not all, he found time to be in at the birth of South Coast Design Forum and has given his time and talent to get this fledgling flying. If you like the look of the SCDF website and eNewsletter they are very much Steve’s creation.” Peter Spence, South Coast Design Forum “I never cease to be amazed and impressed by Steve's outstanding combination of design creativity and business focus. There is a genuine talent for capturing the essence of an organisation's or event’s style and target market, and then marrying this to eye-catching and engaging designs that effectively and succinctly convey the core message.” Farid Ahmed, Wolf Unique Ltd (President, Chichester Chamber of Commerce) “I am always happy and confident to recommend Steve and work with him on behalf of my clients. Steve tells it how it is, sorts out the wheat from the chaff and never has ‘creative failure’. Throw anything at Steve and he delights in finding an answer. His creativity never ceases to excite me! I thoroughly recommend him for any creative/design issue. Test him and see!” Louise Fenwick, Recenseo “Using Steve has always been a great experience. He gets what you want straight away, he’s very creative and full of good ideas. Steve offers good quality at a fair price and always on time with the right results.” Kenrick Garraway, Chichester Council Economic Development Services
The following pages show a typical year in the life of a networker! 13
First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
JANUARY
Brand:Acceleration Seminar I co-hosted a seminar with two other speakers this month. The Brand:Acceleration Seminar looked at the ways in which businesses can accelerate their performance. We talked about how to use a brand design consistently, develop an effective marketing strategy and increase internet presence.
FEBRUARY
The EBP net work I helped organise a network event for the Chichester Education Business Partnership (EBP) to promote what it did to local businesses in order to gain new members. The Chichester EBP and the Bognor Regis EBP merged to form Chichester and Bognor Regis EBP, with over 30 board members. We wanted to celebrate by inviting business people to join us at our ‘Plug in to the EBP Network’ event to find out more about what we do!
MARCH
Observer Business Awards 09 Fabulous night at the Chichester Observer Business Awards ceremony at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel. I received an award: for Business Personality of the Year 2009. Fred Dinenage described me as: “a real ideas man who is out and about everywhere, involved in Young Enterprise as a judge and mentor, a board member for the Education Business Partnership, Chairman of the Chichester branch of the South Coast Design Forum and much, much more. “He is also well known for his networking activities; running the popular First Friday Network which is growing nationwide and attracting new members every month.”
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
APRIL
Young Enterprise Awards Day I was a judge and sponsor at the finals of the Young Enterprise challenge this month and also presented an award. I’m always pleased to see the development of the students who take part in this scheme and am amazed by the effort they all put in over and above their school work day! This time the Best Company, “Fuse” from Bishop Luffa went through to the Sussex Finals at the Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead.
MAY
SCDF 4th Anniversary drinks In May I organised a gathering at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester to celebrate four years of the South Coast Design Forum. Our Chairman Wayne Hemingway and his wife cut the birthday cake to mark the SCDF’s 4th birthday and creatives from across the Sussex coast enjoyed a great evening. The event appeared in ETC Magazine, generating some valuable publicity for the organisation and its members.
JUNE
Business Focus Exhibition Once again this year was full of meetings! In June we were in the thick of organising the second Business Focus Business to Business Exhibition. I had created the identity and promotional material earlier in the year. The decision was made to postpone the exhibition until 2011 due to the uncertainty in the economic climate.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
JULY
First Friday Event in the Tent The Real Ale and Jazz Festival was held this month and I arranged to make use of the marquee in Chichester’s Priory Park to host a giant get together of First Friday networkers our first-ever EVENT IN THE TENT. Businesses from Southampton, Portsmouth, Horsham, Arundel, Brighton and Chichester including Wilson Design, Chichester Chamber, SCDF, The Observer, Ray Webb the Deputy Mayor and RAJF sponsors Spirit FM and Supersigns, took advantage of this huge opportunity to network big time. The diverse cross-section of the local business community exchanged ideas, news and business cards while RAJF organisers offered a great selection of summertime food and drink to keep everyone refreshed. First Friday Network’s Event in the Tent is set to become an annual date for the business calender.
AUGUST
Vintage Entertainment! August is a month of holidays! Not very busy on the network scene so we turned our focus to entertainment! The first Vintage at Goodwood organised by SCDF Chairman Wayne Hemingway was a roaring success and we thouroughly enjoyed every minute!
SEPTEMBER
SCDF Summer Drinks In September I organised a get together of creatives and their guests to enjoy drinks and canapes in the smart surroundings of West Stoke House, Chichester. One last chance to relish the splendour of this gracious setting before the restaurant closed for good in November. Sussex Life and ETC magazines featured the occasion in their social pages.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
OCTOBER
Young Enterprise Presentation At the beginning of October I was one of several local business people who talked to children from local schools who were embarking on the Young Enterprise challenge this year. They were at the point of setting up their companies and forming ideas for what they would do over the coming months.
Stonepillow Big Sleep Out 2010 At the end of the month I joined the judging panel at Stonepillow’s Big Sleep Out held in the grounds of Chichester Cathedral. Mayor of Chichester, Michael Woolley and Christian Notley from Chichester College were fellow judges. I designed all of the charity’s marketing and promotional material. The event, held every other year, encourages young people to spend the night in a cardboard shelter they have built themselves on site, in order to experience the kind of conditions endured by the homeless. All three judges agreed that Body Shop’s shelter was the outright winner because it combined a solid build structure, weather-proofing and comfort, whilst retaining the look of a home.
NOVEMBER
Open Art Private View I invited my expanding network from First Friday to join members and guests of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and SCDF at a private view of paintings, drawings and prints at The National Open Art Competition 2010. This event is held every year and hosted by Neil Lawson-Baker, Chairman of The Chichester Art Trust. The Minerva Theatre in Chichester is the perfect showcase for the highquality selection of work on display.
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First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
NOVEMBER
Young Enterprise talk Also this month I talked to the Young Enterprise students at Bishop Luffa School about branding and promoting their companies. The aim of the session was to give the Sixth Form students a better understanding of the world of business; in particular the start up process. The other guest speakers were John Bugeja from Rolls Royce and Rob Shaw, an ex Luffa student himself and director of the Jack Wills clothing company.
Supporting MOvember During the month I and a few fellow designers decided to take designer stubble seriously and grew a moutstache in support of MOvember – a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health. Our efforts generated press coverage in the Observer newspaper. At the end of the month we were relieved to shave off the fuzz and did this rather publicly at Body & Sole beauty salon in Chichester, owned by Sarah Barnett who also supported the charity. All good fun for a worthy cause!
DECEMBER
First Friday beats the snow! Snow dominated December activities, disrupting business and daily life, but the hardy folk who come to the First Friday network meetings didn’t let a little white stuff beat them! Around twenty people turned up at the Ship Hotel to chat and network. Fortified by a glass of wine or two, they ventured back out into the snowy streets to carry on the good work...
...Another networking year done? 18
First Friday Network
www.firstfriday-network.co.uk
Event in the Tent 2011 The RAJF marquee in Chichester’s Priory Park rocked to a different tune on Wednesday 6th July at First Friday Network’s second annual EVENT IN THE TENT. Instead of the usual music on offer, the buzz of nearly 100 local companies filled the air under RAJF’s canvas. Businesses from Southampton, Portsmouth, Horsham, Arundel, Brighton and Chichester including members from other network groups and organisations such as Chichester Chamber of Commerce, SCDF, BNI and 4Networking along with RAJF sponsors Spirit FM, took advantage of this annual opportunity to network and socialise big time. The diverse cross-section of the local business community exchanged ideas, news and business cards while RAJF organisers offered a great selection of food and real ales to keep everyone refreshed for the evening. Three lucky networkers won prizes in the business card raffle, Ben Power from Springhouse Solicitors getting the first prize of two tickets to attend RAJF. Well done folks! Here are just a couple of the comments from attendees. “Just a quick email to say thanks once again for a great evening with First Friday. An easy, relaxed atmosphere and a great buzz! Just what networking is all about – I hate to leave a good party!!” Jennifer Schofield, Marcom Defence “Well done for putting on such a great Event in the Tent again last night. Everyone was networking well and the food and drinks were delicious.” Julie Harrison, Chichester Chamber of Commerce We also had some great comments on Twitter and Facebook!
Perhaps you could organise a big local network event in association with some other local network groups to raise your profile?
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The belief is that around eighty per cent of business is done by word of mouth referral – so attend as many network events as you can!
“Steve’s passion for networking and the importance of building business relationships is the key to why the First Friday Network is such a huge success. His understanding of small companies need to get out there and network without being tied into a monthly payment – or penalised if unable to attend – filled a gap in the market. His drive and ambition for empowering and enabling companies to build their networks – for free – has become a tremendous success. I would recommend Steve and the First Friday Network to anyone.”
Join us online for more information on how to make your business super successful! info@firstfriday-network.co.uk www.firstfriday-network.co.uk @FirstFridayNet firstfridaymedia@gmail.com www.firstfridaymedia.blogspot.co.uk @FFMedia_01
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