Let’s face it: the Greater Portland, Maine community is exceptional! We truly have everything you could ever want here. Free-flowing craft beers, fresh, local food, creative people, and an incredible number of networks to choose from.
Many people have asked: “How do you decide which groups, organizations, and networks to get involved with?”
1. First, before you start networking- know yourself. Do you hate talking to new people? You’re not alone… but we all have to do it if we want to grow our businesses! Ask yourself- what are you passionate about? Who do you enjoying being around? Where do you feel at home? Spend time being around like-minded people who are involved in things you like. Taking time to get involved in something that truly gets you jazzed will be MUCH more satisfying than doing something just to say you did it, and you’ll be much more likely to make real, authentic connections with people when you know you’re among like-minded people in a comfortable space.
2. Next, know your targets- who are you trying to network with? What is the goal of connection with these people? Where do the people you need to meet hang out?
3. Finally, don’t just connect with these groups in person- connect with them on social media, too! Most of these groups have Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and/or Instagram profiles that you can follow to stay involved and make an impression (click the hyperlinks to be directed to their web pages to learn more!)
There are a number of great Women’s Networks in Greater Portland:
There are also a whole bunch of networks for young professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs:
Cloudport (co-working space)
CoworkHERS (co-working space)
Engine Room (co-working space)
Junior League of Portland, Maine
a number of education-related networks:
a few environment-related networks:
And many, business-related networks:
Maine Business Center
Maine Business Works
Scarborough Buy Local
Scarborough Economic Development Corporation
Scarborough Rotary
South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Buy Local
South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary
Southern Maine Economic Development District
Southern Maine Labor Council
Southern Maine Young Professionals
Sustain Southern Maine
U.S. Small Business Administration
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Maine
West End Neighborhood Association
Westbrook-Gorham Rotary
World Affairs Council of Maine
Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce
Yarmouth Rotary
Please contact me if you would like more information about any of the groups listed here (or if you have a great network to add to these lists)!
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