Network Solutions – Small business conversations and working together for small business success

How to Be a More Effective Schmoozer Using Social Media

In this week’s podcast, I mention some tips on how to improve your schmooze at social media networking events, so I thought I would lay out a few more pointers in preparation for Tech Cocktail DC 4 (the most recent edition of Frank Gruber and Eric Olson’s successful regional tech networking events).
Honestly, how to schmooze, [...]

Attending Local Tech Events for Fun and Profit

As I’ve no doubt gracelessly hammered the point time and time again in this blog, I’m a pretty strong believer in the power of networking and participating in your local social media community– specifically, hanging around people who understand and use social media better than you, so you can figure out ways to adapt it [...]

Becoming a power networker – Best Practices from Hank Dearden of Capital Cabal

The Capital Cabal is the brainchild of Hank Dearden. Hank has been active in Washington, D.C.’s Internet and New Media scene since 1994, and enjoys producing networking events and professional seminars. The focus is typically, but not always, on Internet commerce and communications technology, how it is being used, and its effect on business, government [...]

How do you create great events in a down economy? – Part 2

The Capital Cabal is the brainchild of Hank Dearden. Hank has been active in Washington, D.C.’s Internet and New Media scene since 1994, and enjoys producing networking events and professional seminars. The focus is typically, but not always, on Internet commerce and communications technology, how it is being used, and its effect on business, government [...]

How do you create great events in a down economy? – Part 1

The Capital Cabal is the brainchild of Hank Dearden. Hank has been active in Washington, D.C.’s Internet and New Media scene since 1994, and enjoys producing networking events and professional seminars. The focus is typically, but not always, on Internet commerce and communications technology, how it is being used, and its effect on business, government [...]

Do you need a business plan in today’s economy? Thoughts from Hank Dearden of The Capital Cabal

The Capital Cabal is the brainchild of Hank Dearden. Hank has been active in Washington, D.C.’s Internet and New Media scene since 1994, and enjoys producing networking events and professional seminars. The focus is typically, but not always, on Internet commerce and communications technology, how it is being used, and its effect on business, government [...]

Advice from Hank Dearden on networking in the DC Metro Area

The Capital Cabal is the brainchild of Hank Dearden. Hank has been active in Washington, D.C.’s Internet and New Media scene since 1994, and enjoys producing networking events and professional seminars. The focus is typically, but not always, on Internet commerce and communications technology, how it is being used, and its effect on business, government [...]

Online Meetups and Tech Networking for Small Business

When I talk to people about the DC tech community (usually, while at an event), I’m kind of a broken record: I always say that the DC tech scene is big enough to be pretty active, but it’s small enough that there’s a lot of overlap between the different groups.
In other words, you tend to [...]

Facebook isn’t just for students

Facebook was created for college students. But the majority of people using it aren’t in that age range. They’re much older and definitely not in college anymore.

Facebook offers incredible networking opportunities. It’s more than just a place to share photos & information with friends. The first thing to relax about is the idea that your [...]

LinkedIn is for Connecting

LinkedIn is well known as a place for business professionals to network with like minded people. It’s easy to use and with a few extra steps beyond creating an account you can find new opportunities for your business.

Here are five steps to get you started after you create an account.