Like pretty much all social events, networking can for most of us be a daunting experience that will usually rely on pure luck in terms of who you end up sitting next to.

Additionally, once you do get in the flow of making conversation with someone the chances are they might not be the right fit for your business interests, making the whole thing a waste of time.

So, imagine an online business networking event, which required no travelling, removed the whole anxiety element out of the way and aligned you to hundreds of similar, like minded business minds? All from the comfort of your home, should sound pretty ideal, yeah?

The key to a successful community site lies largely with the responsibility of the event organiser. So here are 7 commandments to ensure you get people joining, networking and doing business together on your site.

1. Know Thy Audience. First thing is first, you’ve got to think about the members you want to inhabit your site. This is absolutely essential. You want people of similar interests that will spark enthusiasm and connect with one another harmonically. Just remember that’s what eHarmonys entire marketing was built around, and that’s been a huge success. For more information read – Attracting the right audience to your online event.
2. Thou shalt not be irrelevant (Research). Once you have the buyer persona in mind, set up questionnaires and gather some data into what they are looking for. Then ask yourself what you as a buyer would want too. This will help the rest of your marketing and content strategy, so that you can more specifically meet your audiences interests.
3. Let your adorning be external (Attractive Web design). Making your site/ event look pretty is always a must. People are more likely to open up if they are in a comfortable environment.
4. Teach those in the way you go (Getting people to your Event. It’s now time to launch your digital marketing campaign) There is quite a lot that can be done here. One useful tip is to provide outrageous free value before you ever open the site. Free content posted will help build an initial buzz to surround your brand. You can also use this content to increase your network, get links, bring traffic and give your visitors a ‘taste’ of how good your membership content is. All in all this will boost your SEO and help establish yourself as authority in the chosen field
5. Bind everything together in perfect harmony (Engagement). Set up a rewards system to encourage high level members to mix it with the regulars. Ideally what people are looking for at networking event is the opportunity to raise the profile of their business. Nothing is more pleasing for any small business than to be in negotiation with someone higher up in the food chain. For this to happen usually takes time to build relationships with power players, so keep your members motivated through creating reward systems that will level the playing field between large and small business users.
6. Thou shalt Recruit the best. Catching the big fish to swim within your pool of users is a challenge, but should be high up on your objectives priorities, and is certainly possible.
7. Thou shalt not commit crimes against Content. Keep your site filled with interesting content. Offer them something unique. Research your competition and think creatively to offer them something new and fresh. That one unique angle could be the vital weapon in your arsenal to help clinch those big players, that will really help make your site super attractive.