networking

By Kindall Nelson

One thing becomes apparent very quickly to self-employed people— “No man (woman) is an island.” Since we work at home, perhaps ducking out occasionally to the local coffee shop, we solopreneurs lack the spontaneous opportunities for collaboration that happen in traditional workplaces. However if you insist on NEVER working with other people, you will place your business at a severe disadvantage. Why? Because it is through partnerships that you not only expand your marketability (more clients), but also your professional network (more opportunities).

This is not to say that you should partner with just anyone. Nor I am suggesting that you permanently partner with any one person or entity. What I am saying is that you can grow your business (revenues) by strategically partnering with individuals or entities that are aligned with the needs and/or concerns of your target audience.

To find strategic partners, you’ll have to leave your home office to attend some conferences and industry events. Yes, you’ll have to network. If that idea makes you queasy, read my post on networking.

Pamela Slim on her blog Escape from Cubicle Nation recently discussed how temporary partnerships called “joint ventures” significantly increased her business opportunities. Click here to read her post “Reduce Overwhelm, expand your reach and have more fun with partnerships.”

I can’t think of anything better than working with people whom you respect and like while you’re making money.

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Photo by Rienk Jan Schurer

The Internet is rife with marketers hawking client attraction systems to solopreneurs aka home-based business owners. The formulas vary a bit, but generally these programs teach that you should build your database (your cash cow) by distributing an ezine, conducting teleseminars (free and paid) and providing a free report as an inducement for people to subscribe to your ezine.

There is nothing inherently wrong with these suggestions. They are indeed valid ways to market, promote and sell your products/services. Unfortunately they won’t work alone–the missing link is networking. You’ll probably only be marginally successful if you don’t get out and meet people. What most of the client attraction gurus fail to tell their followers is that networking was critical to them finding the mentors, information and resources that they needed to build their 6 and 7 figure businesses.

I like networking as much as I like going to the dentist. I loathe intentional mingling and the awkward conversation that usually accompanies it. I’m also not a fan of people pushing their business cards on me or suggesting a joint venture when they can barely pronounce my last name. However for the sake of my business I’m diligently working on improving my networking skills. Despite the popularity of Twitter and Facebook most people still prefer to meet face-to-face at conferences, conventions, seminars and cocktail parties, happy hours.

I was glad to come across LaToya Petersen’s article, “But….I’m Too Shy to Network” in online magazine Jezebel.com. She advocates re-framing networking—think of it as looking for potential friends rather than hunting down potential business contacts. She also provides some really good tips about how to initiate and maintain new relationships.

Read the article But… I’m Too Shy To Network here

Please let me know your tips for effective networking.

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