I forgot one more networking tip.

If you have a regular barber or stylist, strike up a conversation and let them know that you are in the market to find people and companies who are hiring designers. Leave them your card. Bartenders also tend to know a lot about the people they serve and I am sure if you thought about it, you might think of a few more occupations that qualify as such.

Good Luck!

Online professional networking social media groups like Plaxo.com and LinkedIn offer you the chance to join online groups that are related to your industry. True, it is not person-to-person, but you have a chance of meeting people in your area or being able to reach out to others in different locations, getting opinions, pointers and tips.

For the person-to-person networking opportunities you could look up chambers of commerce for local cities and find out when they have their monthly mixers. Another great place to meet a lot of people is your local Toastmasters Club. Like the Lions, Elks, Moose, Eagles, Kiwanis, Optimist and Rotary clubs etc, Toastmasters is a great place to meet a variety of people. It is common to find business people joining Toastmasters for the networking opportunities. I know first hand.

More face to face networking clubs include the Tippers Club and the Leads Club. Find them online to locate a club near you.

A great time to network is during the holidays. Christmas parties, office parties and casual gatherings are a nice place to let people know what you have to offer. Design and print your own holiday card or yearly calendar as a sample of your work. Include your contact information and website. Mail it out or hand it out in person with some cookies to spread that holiday cheer.

Churches are a wonderful place to network as well. People already know you and can attest to your character. They could pass on your information to others who might be interested in hiring you. Why stop at churches though? Why not include PTA’s, bowling nights, sporting events, fundraisers, dinner parties etc. Include community events like car shows, street fairs, meet and greet events and networking luncheons.

Have you looked into Meetup.com? Look up a Meetup group in your area that has to do with an interest of yours, a hobby or sport. You’ll meet other like minded individuals and maybe make a few friends. Building relationships take time and effort. You might as well make if fun!