Should you be in a networking group? Probably not.

Networking groups, like BNI International, are not generally helpful in building a family law practice. They’re great, I suspect, for some other types of businesses. But, in family law you need to meet two kinds of people. You need to meet (1) people contemplating divorce and (2) people with ready to access to people contemplating divorce.

In a networking group the odds are that most of the people you meet will not, at that particular moment, be thinking about getting a divorce. Sure, some of them will go through a divorce during your time in the group and some will have friends getting a divorce. These groups aren’t a total waste of time.

They are, however, an inefficient way to market. You have a limited amount of marketing time – you’ve got to be as efficient as possible. You need a laser beam focus, not a shotgun.  You need to, as they say, fish where the fish are. You’ve got to use every moment to achieve the maximum return on investment.

Beyond that reasoning, you should be aware that some networking groups have  a requirement that you make reciprocal referrals. That requirement might, in some jurisdictions, cause you to violate the rules of professional conduct and could subject you to discipline simply for joining the club and playing by the rules.

So, if you’re not going to join a networking club, what are you going to do with your marketing time? Well that’s the subject, most days, of the articles posted here. We’ve talked about referral source meetings, speaking, advertising, etc., and I’m suggesting that any or all of those activities would be a more efficient use of your time and will achieve better results for you.

I’m not suggesting that there’s anything wrong with networking clubs, They just aren’t where you ought to spend your time, especially before you’ve exhausted all other approaches to marketing. Again, you’ve got to be efficient.

Be careful about these clubs, they’re everywhere and their members are on a never ending mission to recruit new blood. You’re going to get approached and it’s going to feel like an easy way get going with your marketing. Resist. Politely decline the invitations and try some of the alternatives mentioned above.