When the editor of an online local magazine contacted me and suggested we meet for regular networking sessions, I readily agreed. Working at home and online working can be a lonely business and it is rare that I get the chance to gossip about the internet and my greatest love which is online writing.
Of course, recently, I have been experimenting with working from my campervan which has the advantage of getting me out, but, since the locations I choose to work from are very rural, the only living beings around me tend to have four legs and a language that I don’t understand – and, I promise you, I have tried 
Clara, the friendly networking editor, emailed me asking where we should meet. Now, I’m not the most decisive of online workers. There are always lots of options and I like to consider them all. Usually, by the time I have considered enough of them, I get tired and decide to do something else. So I emailed back to her saying that, if she suggested a venue, I would definitely be there.
Clara, being a lady of great decision-making power suggested a very nice bar and eating establishment in Minehead called the Queen’s Hall. Now, I have another character trait, of which I have often been accused, which some may call procrastination. The more I thought about breaking away from my normal routine and sitting in a (possibly smoky) bar at lunchtime, the less I liked it. Lunchtimes are my opportunity for a quick bite and a walk in the countryside. The walks leave me invigorated, warmed up so I don’t need to put the heating on in the afternoon, and reduce the stress that the morning’s struggle with syntax and grammar have brought on.
Eureka! Mr Indecisive had become Mr Innovative. Why not keep to my usual habits and network as we walked.
I emailed Clara full of enthusiasm.
Cautiously, she replied that she was in agreement with the idea as long as it didn’t involve yomping off on a 10 mile walk that wouldn’t disgrace the marines.
So last Thursday, we met met up and spent the lunchtime walking, talking and trekking around the small rural town of Porlock in West Somerset. It was not too wet or muddy underfoot, the weather was lovely and so was the conversation with loads on the subject of key words, search engines, web site linking, regeneration and a whole host of other webmaster issues. Heaven!
The thing I really learned from this experience was that networking doesn’t have to take place in special designated places. Just about anywhere will do. Talking is always useful and to talk and walk, for me, is great fun.
The next time you have a one to one meeting or maybe even a small group meeting, why not try holding the meeting as you walk? It worked for me and I heartily recommend it
Bye for now
Rob
(Rob Hopcott)
