Social networks are powerful.  Whether you’re on Facebook or not… you’re still part of a number of networks:  co-workers, friends, volunteer groups, professional associations, and all the colleagues that you have met along the way.

That is a lot of people to keep up with… and I’ve finally discovered the best way to do so.

Every couple weeks I shoot out an email to about a dozen friends.  I tell them that I’ll be at ABC bar for happy hour on Thursday at 5:00.  The more the merrier… so bring some friends.

There’s no agenda.  No topic of discussion.  And you never know who’ll show up.  It’s just a bunch of people in different industries who would probably never get together if they didn’t have this reason.

Here’s why it works:  First, everyone knows at least one person there.  They can have comfort in knowing that they don’t have to worry about sitting in a corner all alone, hoping someone will talk to them.

Second, it gives people an easy way to start conversation.  What’s the most commonly asked questions at weddings?  “…So how do you know the bride/groom?”  (I’m totally making that statistic up… but I think it has merit.)  Anyway… at these get-togethers, anyone can start a conversation by asking, “So how do you know the host?”

Third, it strengthens and expands your network.  Because you chose to send out the email, it’s your job to be introducing people and making sure that people with similar interests connect.  People appreciate (and remember) that.

On the flip side, if people bring friends, they’ll most likely introduce them to you first.  That assures you that you’ll meet a few new people as well.

Here are a few tips for hosting a successful get together:

• Atmosphere – Find a low key, easy to place to chat.  Sports bars are fantastic.
• Mix it up – Don’t invite too many people from one group… spread the invitations across social networks.
• Get early buy in – Make sure you have at least two or three people that will be there… then send the message out to ten others.
• Introduce people on email – if you know two people who should meet, introduce them over email before the event.  That saves you time during the event and guarantees that they won’t back out last minute. (Because that happens.)

If you want to experience one of these first hand… I’ll be in Chicago this Saturday.  I’m organizing a little get together this Saturday downtown at the Rock Bottom Brewery at 6:00.  I’m inviting the volunteers from the Chicago New Media Summit, a couple Brazen Careerist bloggers, and a few of my friends from college.  If you’re interested, shoot me an email.