Meetup
Meetup is the world's largest network of local groups. Meetup makes it easy for anyone to organize a local group or find one of the thousand already meeting up face-to-face. More than 2,000 groups get together in local communities each day, each one with the goal of improving themselves or their communities.

Success in business requires you know what other people know but also who other people know. But networking takes more than just a LinkedIn profile or a deep Rolodex. Here's how to network effectively, and in turn save time, energy and money.

How To Build A Powerful Professional Network
It is important to know the two Q's as you build out your network: quality and quantity. But have you considered the importance of having a well-rounded network?  In this job market, having a strong network is critical to your professional survival. There are plenty of tips and articles on where to find people, how and when to connect to them and even what you need to say to attract and maintain your network. This article focuses on who should be in your network.  

Networking, overblown self-promotion don't have to go together
You're not alone if you hate networking.  Even the most extroverted among us can dread talking about themselves to a stranger. And if you're introverted? The thought of promoting yourself to someone else is the stuff of nightmares.  But network you must. 

Between Friends: 5 Networking No-Nos
The rise of social networking has broken down barriers between our personal and our professional lives, and many people are benefiting. But when you turn to one of your buddies for a professional assist with a career opportunity, beware of these networking-with-friends mistakes.

Effective Communication Begins with a First Impression
We have hundreds of opportunities each week to make a first impression. Whether it's a formal presentation to hundreds of strangers, a cover letter to a firm we'd like to hire us, or an email to a group of coworkers about next week's company picnic, consider that first impression and make it count.

How to Be More Effective: Tips for Extraverts
Just because one is extraverted does not mean that they have good social skills. Actually, extraversion can actually sometimes get in the way of social graces because extraverts tend to think out loud, sharing information faster than they are able to censor. With that in mind, here are some tips for using those natural talents and making up for the quick tongue. 

How to Network: 12 Tips for Shy People
Schmoozing is a trial for shy people, but armed with these common-sense tips they can increase their networking mojo.

Learning How to Network
Four IT executives offer practical, tactical advice for identifying the most promising networking opportunities and making the most of them.

Effective Networking: Assumptions About Your Contacts Can Hinder Your Job Search
IT professionals who prize order and predictability, and possess a high need for closure are likely making erroneous assumptions about their networks==assumptions that could seriously hamper their job searches, according to research from MIT.

Unemployed? Don't panic when people ask what you do.
Even with 14.9 million people unemployed and the economy's sad state dominating headlines for months, some people or situations just seem uncomfortable or difficult to handle.

Using your contacts without making them feel used
As understandable - and essential - as the urge to work one’s connections is in times like these, there’s still an art to doing it. It’s rooted in basic common sense and good manners, and it applies in every situation, whether you’re sending an e-mail, Facebook message, smoke signal, singing telegram, or (gasp) letter. So, in the interest of maintaining our networking dignity, here are a couple suggestions for reaching out the right way…