Networking in Edinburgh and West Lothian
20 November 2019
I’ve been networking in Edinburgh and West Lothian for four months now, and I have tried out most of the networking meetings at least once. I have not just got business from networking but advice, support and a list of suppliers. You can easily end up networking full-time. So you don’t have to, I’ve ranked the seven I have been to twice or more (I don’t make a judgement until I have been twice) with my reasons here:
Number One - 4Networking
I really like the structure of this one and have even volunteered to be the Group Leader for the Edinburgh Lunch meeting (4Networking has three meetings in Edinburgh alone). There is informal networking at the start and the end of the meeting. There is a 40-second slot for each person to say what they do, a 20-minute speaker slot, and three 1-1 ten-minute meetings with other people of your choice. They facilitate networking outside of the meetings, too, and the whole set-up helps you to build meaningful business relationships. It is a membership organisation, but you can try two meetings out before you decide to join or not.
Where: National network. Edinburgh breakfasts are in Edinburgh Park and Leith, The Edinburgh Lunch is on York Place
When: Edinburgh breakfasts are at 8 am on a Wednesday (alternating venue), and the Edinburgh Lunch is every other Friday at 12 pm
Cost: £15 cash per meeting plus a membership fee if you want to go to more than two meetings
Refreshments: Breakfast or lunch
Number Two - Business IQ West Lothian
This is a really friendly group! It is relatively new as it only started this year, but it has been growing and growing! There is a strict one person per industry policy. It isn’t membership, but if you miss two meetings in a row, the industry slot opens up again. There is informal networking at the start and the end, we each get a one-minute slot, and there is a 20-minute speaker slot.
Where: Broxburn Athletic Football Club, Broxburn
When: First Friday of the month at 8:30 am
Cost: £10
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and continental breakfast
Number Three - No Ties Networking
This one is quite similar to 4Networking meetings, but as the name implies, it isn’t a membership organisation. There is informal networking at the start. You each have a 1-minute slot, and there is an educational talk. Afterwards, you get time to speak to people of your choice. This is another good one for building up relationships.
Where: Bread Street Brasserie, Bread Street Edinburgh
When: Last Thursday of the month at 12 pm
Cost: £15
Refreshments: Lunch
Number Four - Creative Circles, Codebase Edinburgh
This is a great one if you work with creative or tech people. The only structure is the short presentation in the middle from the organisers. I have found that the informal networking allows for longer conversations and better connections because of the space available and the length of time you have. I found myself talking to people for two and a half hours without realising. They also have an event in Leith, but I haven’t made it to that one yet.
Where: Codebase, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
When: First Tuesday of the month at 8:30 am
Cost: Free!
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and continental breakfast
Number Five - Marketing Meetup
This is good for both marketers who want to network with other marketers and anyone who wants to learn more about marketing. There is always an educational talk and informal networking.
Where: Edinburgh – various central locations
When: Always on a Monday at 6 pm but dates vary so check on Meetup
Cost: £4:80 or £1:99 early bird offer
Refreshments: Drinks and canapés
Number Six - E2N
I’m not sure why this one works so well, but I have got a lot out of it, including new business. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, maybe it’s the people who go, but I have made some really good connections here. It is informal networking with a 20-minute presentation in the middle.
Where: Hotel Indigo, Princes Street Edinburgh
When: Last Tuesday of the month at 8 am
Cost: Free
Refreshments: Coffee bar available but you have to pay for your own cup
Number Seven - Curry Connections
I love a curry! This is a nice one, and you get to have a good conversation with the people sitting near you. The only thing though, is that you don’t change seats between courses, and there is limited space for informal networking before and after.
Where: Mumbai Diners Club, Atholl Place, Edinburgh
When: First Friday of the month at 12:30 pm
Cost: £12 cash
Refreshments: 2-course lunch
I still need to check out ConnectEd, Coffee Connections, Collaboration Coffee and Networking and Hi Edinburgh for a second time. There are a few in the area that I still haven’t tried. I’ve also only gone to one event so far in Glasgow (4Networking Lunch, which won’t surprise you)! With all of these events and the resulting follow-up meetings, you really could make networking a full-time job!