| Want new clients? Start a wine tasting club to | | | | into the routine of attending a regular event, so |
| invite your clients, prospects and friends to do | | | | stay consistent. For instance, pick the third |
| more business with you. | | | | Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Put |
| When most people think of a networking group, | | | | everyone on an e-mail list and send out a |
| they think of business cards, stuffy suits and dry | | | | reminder one month, two weeks and then two |
| chicken. When most people think of a wine tasting | | | | days before the event to make sure people |
| party, they think fun. Why not combine the two | | | | remember it. |
| and create a wine tasting club to bring in new | | | | Tip 4: Share the Fun Stuff |
| business? | | | | Hosts don't have to do everything -- in fact, they |
| Here are 5 simple tips to hosting a successful | | | | shouldn't. Inviting your guests to participate |
| event: | | | | lightens your load while making your guests feel |
| Tip 1: Choose Personality over Profession | | | | important. Ask your guests to bring a bottle of |
| When launching a wine tasting club for business, | | | | wine, an appetizer, or both. You can also consider |
| personality counts. Don't invite people with great | | | | printing a schedule and asking for volunteers to |
| connections but poor people skills; they'll kill your | | | | host future events; people will jump at this |
| event. Instead, invite colleagues who can share | | | | opportunity. By rotating the event location, the |
| business contacts and good conversation. It only | | | | club will quickly grow because hosts will invite their |
| takes a few fun people to make a club dynamic | | | | colleagues to join in. |
| so start by inviting 6 to 10 friends and ask each | | | | Tip 5: Keep it Flowing |
| bring a fun colleague. | | | | Here's a successful ice-breaking idea: rate your |
| Tip 2: Create a Theme | | | | wine! Pass out wine rating cards to let guests |
| A simple way to liven up your event is to create | | | | share their opinions. Pour one wine at a time and |
| a theme. For example, focus on a specific type or | | | | ask for group feedback. Or, let guests sample the |
| region of wine. How about a taste of Italy? Or, a | | | | wines available, vote for their favorites, then a |
| Champagne celebration with French cheese? Why | | | | winning wine will be chosen at the end of the |
| not pair white wines with summer fruits? | | | | event. Score cards encourage guests to talk |
| Appetizers and cheeses are easy to offer and | | | | about their favorites. If your guests are required |
| they promote mingling. | | | | to bring wine, you could award the winner a |
| Tip 3: Get the Word Out | | | | trophy which gets passed each month for |
| Networking groups succeed because people get | | | | bragging rights. |