Talking through a problem helps: You can get a sense of what went wrong, and what your options are. Talking with entrepreneurs who've had similar experiences helps even more. They know the feelings of frustration and can offer perspective on what worked or didn't work for them.
But what's the best way to share information? Is it better to talk online or over drinks? To find out what works best, we asked 11 successful entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council this question:
Q. What’s one great way entrepreneurs can exchange knowledge with one another (e.g., workshops, meetups, etc.)?
1. Join a mastermind group
In the past couple of years, I've come to see just how valuable being part of a mastermind or forum can be. The groups range from eight to 10 in size, and we get together once per month and give updates on our companies and personal lives. We spend a lot of time sharing our experiences to help each other deal with problems that have arisen in our businesses. —Diana Goodwin, AquaMobile
2. Meet one-on-one
The best way to exchange knowledge between entrepreneurs is meeting one-on-one. For instance, having coffee or after-work drinks can be beneficial in developing friendships and connections. These types of meetings are more personal and tend to allow a more insightful exchange of knowledge and experiences than a group meetup. —Eddie Lou, Shiftgig
3. Build a trusted network
In my opinion, meetups and larger groups will inevitably get diluted, and people will drop out. I opt to build a small, trusted network of fellow founders I admire and whose judgments I trust, and then stay in touch with on a regular basis. —Hongwei Liu, mappedin
4. Collaborate equally
The key to making collaborations successful is to create an environment with equal incentives. Anyone who has gone to a meetup or a mastermind knows that it's very difficult to connect when everyone has different goals. But when you collaborate together on something, such as a podcast, guest post, or vlog, both parties get the upside. It's a terrific way to connect and share ideas. —Carter Thomas, Bluecloud Solutions
5. Go to industry conventions
Entrepreneurs are individuals who constantly need to be learning and growing. Going to conventions provides a lot of value to their businesses. An added bonus is meeting other like-minded entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, strategies, and even start partnerships. It’s a great way to grow! —Russell Kommer, eSoftware Associates Inc.
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6. Connect online
Connecting online through instant messaging and video conferencing is a convenient way to share information and help each other out. It also is less intrusive and can be done on the fly when you and others have a few minutes to catch up. —Drew Hendricks, Buttercup
7. Call for agency-owner therapy sessions
I often call for agency-owner therapy sessions. Calls like these create a safe place to talk about issues and challenges. Skip the bragging about successes, and focus and discuss the topics on your mind with like-minded entrepreneurs in the same situation. Set up a recurring time to talk, but make sure to do plenty of listening on these calls too, so everyone can talk through the issues and share ideas. —Dan Golden, BFO (Be Found Online)
8. Tap into Facebook professional groups
Facebook has many thriving professional networking groups dedicated to entrepreneurs. You can search for them and request to join. Because everyone has an account and knows how to use Facebook, the conversations are especially lively. Facebook's algorithm also surfaces the most engaging pieces of content. —Adelyn Zhou, TOPBOTS
9. Reach out on LinkedIn
Reach out to people on LinkedIn. With the most recent updates to the interface, it's very easy to reach out to other entrepreneurs. Join discussion groups, research some of the people in them, and see who you would like to "connect" with. It's a more targeted way of getting solid information from people who may already have experience in what you'd like to do. —Nicole Munoz, Start Ranking Now
10. Look into entrepreneur organizations
Entrepreneur groups are extremely useful tools through which leaders can communicate. Organizations like these, as well as in-person meetups, offer ongoing online social dialogue, which cultivates growth among trusted and validated entrepreneurs. —Justin Lefkovitch, Mirrored Media
11. Attend local small business development presentations
Regularly attend presentations provided by your local small business development organization, even if the topics only somewhat apply to your business. I find that I often gain more useful ideas than I expect. I usually hang around afterward as well, and talk to other participants. This is a great way to find allies, share gained business experience, and sometimes make friends. —Diego Orjuela, Cables and Sensors
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