How long have I organised the business book group?

It's a question I'm often asked - how long have I been doing Books & Networking? When did I start the book group?

So I thought I'd write a short article (plus I was curious to see if I could get all the photos from all 13 events I've organised in the header graphic!)

5 years of the Facebook group!

The book group started in May 2019 as a Facebook group. I'd seen lots of "what is everyone reading" posts, so thought it would be great to create a place to gather book recommendations together. I remember messaging a friend with the idea, and he told me to go for it. So the Facebook group was created!

There was never any grand plan when I created the group 5 years ago - it was a Facebook group for sharing book recommendations - the idea for the meetings, etc. came later on.

By the end of 2019 the group had around 30 members, I decided to allow people from outside Aberdeen and in other parts of the UK (and in some cases the world) to join - this has allowed for a great range of book recommendations, plus some authors themselves joining the group.

The Facebook group now has 200+ members!

You can find the original Facebook group (where it all started) at: facebook.com/groups/AberdeenBusinessBooks

Ideas for events & lockdown

At the end of 2019 was when I thought of the idea of organising networking meetings, and gave it more serious thought over Christmas/New Year.

While planning the events there was some initial and partial inspiration from Highland Craic - most notably while I can't remember how I came up with the Books & Networking name, I suspect it was inspired by their "coffee and craic" events.

At the start of 2020 I started organising the first event, which was due to go ahead in April 2020 - and then I think we all know what happened - lockdown!

The event had to be postponed (and I don't use Zoom for reasons that are probably for another blog post).

However this did allow the Facebook group to continue to grow, and I had the plans ready for when lockdown restrictions eased.

I'd also started creating the Books & Networking website, using Google Sites, which was put on hold.

The first event in 2021

The first event finally went ahead in October 2021, although there was various problems (including a lot of people cancelling a few days before) - however it still went ahead with 3 attendees.

Leaders of other networking groups where supportive when I was starting these events, occasionally offering advice, introductions, etc., particularly 4Networking (especially appreciated as I wasn't even a member).

The second event went ahead in March 2022, initially every two months (although did try monthly) and now seasonally, with a break over Christmas.

At the end of 2021, the Books & Networking website also went live - I updated the website I'd created the year before and finally put it online - booksandnetworking.co.uk

Writing and self publishing support

I've written and self published books since 2013, and many people in the area have mentioned wanting me to support them and share my experiences with writing/self publishing.

I therefore added this support in 2022, and that it made sense to make this a part of Books & Networking.

I also organised a writing/self publishing workshop in September 2022, and a writing/self publishing themed event in May this year to celebrate 5 years of the book group.

You can find my writing and self publishing resources - including the help I offer, blog posts, etc. at: booksandnetworking.co.uk/writing

LinkedIn group

A few years ago I also created a LinkedIn version of the book group, which I've not really done much with: linkedin.com/groups/8952616/

A book on reading books

To promote the book group over the years, I wrote a series of blog posts with hints and tips to get the most from business and personal development books.

Last year, I realised I had enough blog posts to collect into a book - so last year I released my seventh book, Books & Action - full of hints and tips to get more from the books you read - from finding the right books, to actually doing something about what you have read: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CDJZH8XM

Mailing list

Since the start of the year, I've started to (slowly) build a mailing list for the business book group. Especially as I don't want to rely too much on social media.

I've sent out 10 newsletters so far - including info on my events, writing/self publishing tips, plus ideas to get the most from business books. I usually send them out weekly or fortnightly - although I often wait until I've got a few things to say, rather then filling out the e-mails with a lot of nonsense!

The plan is for the mailing list to accompany the events and Facebook groups.

You can subscribe to the new mailing list at: subscribepage.io/booksandnetworking

Continuing to evolve

An advantage of Books & Networking being fairly new events (plus not being part of a franchise) is that they become what the people who attend make them.

Whether it's 3 people or 6, they have been great events, with plenty of book recommendations and discussions, plus the usual networking.

I've also enjoyed not only seeing the business connections and book recommendations - also the friendships that have formed.

I was recently looking at the statistics for the event, and they are quite interesting (and probably a blog post of its own). There's also been just as many events with 5 or more people in the room, as there was 3 attendees.

Any changes to the events are gradual, and adapt to how the meetings have ended up flowing (rather then introducing changes for the sake of it). Some changes where intended to be just for one event, worked well, so continued!

Quite a number of improvements this year include - adjusting meeting times (making it easier for people travelling outside the city to attend, and adding an extra half hour), sending a delegate list the day before, getting people to write their book recommendations on a flip chart (rather then everyone trying to note down spelling, etc.), and greeting attendees when they arrive rather then making their own way up to the meeting room.

As a number of people attending previous events are from Stonehaven, the next event in November will be in Stonehaven (and is the first event I've co-organised) - if this goes well, I'm looking at doing more events in Aberdeenshire in 2025.

Our event in Stonehaven on Wednesday 25th September will be free entry/buy own coffees. Whether you attend regularly, or this will be your first event, everyone is welcome.

Meet other business owners, network, and discuss the books you are reading.

There's no EventBrite page this month - to book for this event, send me an e-mail at: simon@libraryplayer.co.uk