Make Money Monday: Host a Meet & Eat

Getting together for coffee or lunch with a colleague is a great way to generate business. But setting a date to meet can be hassle. And finding the time to squeeze in lunch dates can be difficult, particularly for lawyers who work from home or who have families and tend to skip lunch to make it home in time for dinner.

So instead of getting together one-on-one, why not host a meet and eat for a group, and catch up with a group of colleagues all at once? Not only is the meet and greet more efficient for you – but your colleagues will appreciate the opportunity get to know the other guests. Typically, they’ll be so grateful that they’ll reciprocate with a lunch invitation or, has been my experience, with business referrals.

If you decide to organize a meet and eat, here’s how to do it:

1. Set your budget – since that will determine how many people you can afford to invite. For around $100, you should be able to afford either bagels and coffee or sandwiches, pizza or take out for a group of 8-10 colleagues.

2. Find a venue. Once you’ve set a budget, locate a venue like a conference room in your office or at the local bar where you can meet. You can meet at a coffee shop or restaurant – but that’s potentially more costly, plus, noise levels may preclude good conversation.

3. Set an agenda. Figure out what you’d like to do at the meet and greet. It can consist entirely of introductions and informal discussion, or you could pick a specific topic – perhaps a new case of note, or favorite tech tools. At one meet and greet I sponsored, I invited guests to bring their favorite business books for a book exchange.

4. Invite your guests. Don’t send a mass mailing; personalize your email for a better response, or place a call. Two weeks lead time is generally optimal – though be sure to ask for RSVPs as you don’t want to have just 2 people show up.  Your invite should also instruct guests to bring enough business cards to distribute to a group of 8-10, and to prepare a short “elevator speech” to introduce themselves.

5. At the event, set out the food before guests arrive and invite them to begin eating. After about 15 minutes, welcome your guests and make introductions and proceed with the activities.

6. At the conclusion of the event, thank participants and determine how you’ll follow up with them.

I’ve organized about four meet and greets but each time, they generated a new piece of business, or a solid referral within a month of the event. A great return on a hundred dollar investment and two or three hours to prep and hold the event.

Have you ever held a meet and eat? What kind of results did you experience?