This week I’m dashing around the Big Apple meeting with magazine editors, hanging with clients, and even squeezing in a catalog photo shoot.

Just a warning – this blog will be short + sweet.

While I spend at least one day a week out of the home office, these longer trips always remind me of the power of getting off my tuckus and spending time with folks face to face.

Even though we have so many fabulous ways to connect electronically – phone, text, email, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn – and about 4 million other ways – it’s always nice to look someone in the eye, shake their hand, give them a squeeze, or just simply let them see your smiley face.

If you stay glued to the computer screen most of the time like me, make a commitment to do at least one of the following activities before summer ends.

1. Meet someone for coffee.
2. Meet someone for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. Make a “pampering” date with someone (pedicure, massage, etc)
4. Make a cooking date with someone – I do this with two of my friends and fellow entrepreneurs where we try to tackle a recipe each month. Last month we totally botched Macaroons, but it was fun trying.
5. Attend a live event.
6. Chat someone up in your Yoga class, at the grocery store, or other random outing. You’d be surprised where this can lead.
7. Join a group to learn something new (book club, knitting club, etc)
8. Volunteer.

Have a cool idea for connecting in person? Share in the comments below!

I am writing to you after landing from an incredibly bumpy 6 hour flight into San Diego. It's so beautiful here, so don't worry – I'm not going to complain.

I'm here to enjoy John Carlton's Action Seminar II, which is a 2-day intensive on all things marketing and copywriting. I basically devour everything John writes, and am completely stoked to attend this conference.

But flying here to attend is even more than learning from the best of the best. It's also about getting out and meeting new people. Networking with folks without the barrier of your computer screen.

Now I'll be the first to admit that I've attended a TON of networking events in the past that were a complete waste of time. But the reason was because I didn't take the time to find the ones that were comprised of people within my target market, or those comprised of peers that I could partner/joint venture with.

If you have any reservations about hopping on a plane and spending your hard-earned money on a live event, follow these tips:

• Ask former attendees about their experience. Many of these folks are listed on the website if they provided testimonials. You can also reach out to your own network to see if anyone has attended in the past.
   
• Find out where your industry mentors are speaking and get there! This is a phenomenal way to meet the folks that you respect and also to join a like-minded crew of professionals that may be open to parternships.
   
• Get a sense of the event from the marketing materials and agenda. Most live events have some type of agenda and often use a sales letter or video to entice people to come. Go with your gut on this. If you don't have a good feeling from the marketing, it's likely the event itself will be a disappointment.

Do you attend live events and in-person networking groups? What were your experiences? Leave a comment below!

And, don't forget to check out the upcoming course that will help you Boost Your Fame Factor – http://www.boostyourfamefactor.com/