I don’t have the kind of spectacular tangible financial results I’d have liked, but I’ve definitely grown my network, solidified my contacts and had many more opportunities to speak so far this year than I have had before.

I’ve also had more clients, which I have to believe is at least partly a result of the marketing. I won’t lie, though—there’s a LOT less money floating around, and people are having a harder time parting with it. I’ve done more free work this year, too, trying to get myself out there and fill the pipeline.

I know that my colleague, Deidre Rienzo, had a similar problem when she moved from the U.S. to Ireland (a smallish town, I think).

She has a virtual business, so she’s concentrated on building her online network, and has used Biznik a lot for that.

You might try finding an online network, spending some time there developing relationships, then see if you can interest people in taking it offline, into meatspace. My other thought is to get on Twitter and find other people from Brussels there. I know they have to be on Twitter—everyone is!

Then once you’ve connected, have a Tweetup. It may not be your exact market, but at least you’ll get the networking going.

You mentioned business cards in your blog – a company I’ve always found really helpful, with excellent customer service and quality products for a great price is http://www.goodprint.co.uk...

Any idea how I can find networking events in Brussels? In London they are everywhere but here they seem hard to find!

Thanks

Claire