What I’ve learned from a new type of networking

Back in the days of my old corporate job, if my boss had suggested that I needed to ‘network’ more, you’d have seen me running a mile in the opposite direction. Even when I set up my business, I was deeply sceptical of getting out on the networking scene. I had visions of sharp-suited salesmen all trying to outsmart each other, a big focus on the “so what do you do?” question and pressure to refer business to other people from day one.

I wasn’t sure that networking would be ‘my thing’. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There’s a new type of non-scary, non-sleazy networking out there

Gone are the days when networking was all about small talk and scary sales pitches. There are different groups out there to fit your type of business, your personality and your needs. I have personally tried and loved Networking Women, The Oxfordshire Projectand Fe-line’s Word of Mouth sessions. (The Word of Mouth sessions have now finished).

For me, networking is all about learning, building support networks and sharing ideas and inspiration. It’s also a great cure for the isolation that could set in when you’re running a business on your own for the first time.

Networking helped me to shape my business from day one

From the minute I went to my first networking meeting, I stepped onto a new journey for me and my business. For the first time, I was meeting people just like me – who wanted to build a business and live a life they love on their terms.

The people that I met along the way became my friends and a crucial part of my support network. They had either been through the challenges I was facing, or we worked through them at the same time. In time, many of these people have also become my clients because meeting them helped me to figure out for the first time what I truly wanted to do with my life. Through getting to know and understand these people, I realised that they needed my marketing experience and I could share it in fun, friendly and affordable formats. Helping them to build the business and life that they want. Fulfilling their dreams and passions…and mine!

Social media is no replacement

You might be thinking that networking meetings are a bit old school, when it’s so easy to connect online these days. In my experience though social media is not a replacement for face-to-face meetings – it is something that complements it perfectly. There have been several occasions when I’ve sat down at a meeting to find that I’ve already met the person I’m sitting next to through Twitter or Facebook. It makes that initial conversation so much easier.

In fact, it works both ways – it’s so much more natural to keep in touch with someone though social media after you’ve met them in person, rather than jumping in straightaway with an email suggesting how you could work together.

So what could networking do for you?

If you’ve been hiding away at home, why not check out a networking group near you? There are options that can work for you, wherever you’re based and whatever time of day suits you best. So go on, step out from behind your laptop and go and meet some new people. You never know where it might take you.

Love and inspiration,

 

 

 

Pictured: My Blue Penguin Marketing Meetups were inspired by networking.
Image credit, Vivacious Mel Photography.