Clients often ask me about classic, old time marketing methods, especially networking groups such as

• BNI (Business Network International),
• Le Tip (a BNI competitor), and
• Chambers of Commerce

My persistent and consistent answer is that they all work, but you get out of them what you put into them.

I've been in various businesses for 43 years, and never have I (or my parents or employers) failed to be a member of at least one of those three.

Although business and social networking on the Internet is booming, there's still something to be said about getting out from behind the computer, getting in the car, and driving to a meeting where other people are gathering because they have done the same thing.

In addition to those, though, don't forget some of these other still-viable ways of getting your name out there in your community:

1. Homeowners' association meetings
2. City council meetings
3. PTA meetings
4. Sports league meetings (Little League, T-ball, soccer, flag football, basketball, softball, etc.)
5. Charity events, golf especially
6. Charitable organizations such as the Symphony, Opera, community chorus, etc.
7. Non-profit volunteering, such as at your animal shelter, abused women and children shelters, etc.

It's about meeting people, and sometimes that can still be done best by actually meeting them face to face. It also typically doesn't cost much other than your time and energy—typical Guerrilla Marketing!