Networking is vital to small businesses as it is FREE and such a innovative way to self promote yourself and business. Networking is available in so many ways and now in this vast technological world we live in there are various forms to suit various people. When I first started my business I felt intimidated and too inexperienced to attend Networking Events. So I joined the world of social networking, and for me this really worked to help increase my knowledge and confidence. BUT its no good just joining
Facebook and having a
fan page. You need to update it daily and interact with your customers who are commenting, this in itself can be time consuming and you can get easily side tracked so give yourself a limit that you will only spend say 10 minutes working on it.
Twitter is another great asset if your following the right people. You don't have to follow everyone who follows you, its not the quantity of followers more the quality. So if your using twitter to increase your PR profile then make sure your following Magazines, website and newspapers relevant to your business.
Working from home can be a lonely experience and social networking is great but there's nothing like a bit of personal interaction to get your creative juices following and your motivation sky high. Join groups of other like minded people to ease you in as your confidence grows you will be able to broaden you networking circle. So if you're a mum in business find your local group of networking mums www.mumsbusinessclub.co.uk and if there isn't one then why not post on your local Netmums notice board asking if any business mums want to meet up, go somewhere safe an busy like a soft play centre. This is how Laura (www.rentabuggy.co.uk) and I started Networking Mummies Dorset with a notice on Facebook and Netmums and we had 8 women attend 6 of whom are still heavily involved in Networking Mummies (Dorset). Being part of Networking Mummies (Dorset) has given me the confidence to talk about my business in front of other professionals this time last year I was still very much of the opinion I was a full time mum end of. Now I know that simply not true that I am an entrepreneur no different to Duncan Bannatyne and the likes just I work around my children.
Do something different! If you find conventional networking opportunities don't really work for you then try something different. With Networking Mummies (Dorset) we run Speed Networking Events which are a great way for you to meet new businesses that you wouldn't normally work with or probably even speak to. And sometimes the most unusual alliances work the best!
Laura (www.rentabuggy.co.uk) and I have started to use a great Networking site - www.findnetworkingevents.com which you can add your own networking events too as well as articles and press releases. I also use it regularly to check what other local events are going on, I recently found great website workshops FREE and have arranged to go with a few of the other Networking Mummies (Dorset) .. Support in numbers.
Would love to hear your networking stories and experiences good or bad.
©Charlie Moo's 2008 - 2010
http://www.thurtlepower.com
Networking has always been a great benefit to both new and existing businesses. Look at directors playing golf together - that's just another form of networking.
Love the findnetworkingevents idea. I'll keep checking back to see events near me!
http://www.applauseaccountancy.co.uk
Your new findnetworkingevents.com website sounds great, I'll be sure to use it to register the Tyne and Wear events!
Julie
Applause Accountancy Services Ltd