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Thursday
Feb172011

You Are Not Alone...

I imagine that starting and running your own business; making the move to self employment is very similar to having a baby for the first time. No matter how much advice you get or preparation you make you never really know what it's like until you're actually doing it.

So after the initial excitement of starting your business has passed, it's not long before the sleepless nights kick in as your business has you waking up several times during the night demanding your attention! In the early hours of the morning, as a sole trader, it can sometimes feel awfully lonely as you try to rock your business brain back to sleep knowing it won't be long before the new working day begins.

But as there are numerous baby groups and classes available for new parents, there are also groups available for the self employed. Groups which provide lots of support, advice and variety all geared up to help you grow your business!

What am I talking about here? Yep, networking!

I am amazed at the number of sole traders I come across that are still unaware of networking and more to the point the importance of networking! Admittedly I stumbled across the concept completely by accident after being self employed for only a few months, however I will always be grateful for the introduction. I didn't even know what networking was really all about or that there were lots and lots of different types of networking groups that met up regularly (whether it be once a week, once a fortnight or once a month!) and that different groups naturally attract different trades.

My first experience with networking was with Athena, back in 2007. A group specifically for women in business. An opportunity to meet others who were also sometimes struggling to sleep through the night or pin down some kind of daily routine! Suddenly I realised that my doubts and worries were not unique to me but were in fact 'normal'! Not only that, but here was a platform for me to promote my business: my baby (as much a chance for others to enthuse over their "babies"!)

Over the next few months I formed some fantastic business contacts, meeting some fabulous people and created new friendships. My business took it's first real step forward as new clients found me through meeting other ladies that I had simply met networking!

But as babies become toddlers and toddlers become children (and so on and so forth...you see where I'm going with this?!) my business also grew, developed and its needs changed as the years went on. I needed to expand my network more and more...surely unless people know who you are, where you are and what you do you can't expect new clients to find you. Don't get me wrong, direct referrals through word of mouth are always fantastic, however, being the impatient person I am I couldn't afford my business growth to move at a glacial pace! To generate a client base purely through word of mouth simply takes ages!

With business growth in mind I finally accepted an invitation to a networking breakfast run by 4Networking. This time, open to both men and women as well as the actual meeting being structured in a completely different way. New faces, new banter, new business! So refreshing and, despite all of us having the same goal of creating new contacts and promoting our individual trades, so much fun.

Networking has become a big part of life. Without it I would be far more lost and clueless in business promotion and marketing than I am (and I'm still learning all the time!) Where I need help on any aspect of my business I know exactly the person to call, knowing they have the expertise and skills I trust are right for the job. And having these contacts means I can, in turn, recommend them to friends, family and my own clients when appropriate (which then makes me look super useful and the more gold stars I get from clients the happier I am!)

I think I can now say my business, thanks to networking (and obviously being good at what I do haha!) my business has now moved from primary to secondary school! I still have a long way to go but it's good to know I'm not alone!

Wanna join me in networking? visit the 4N website to book!

Reader Comments (4)

Great post Steph......

and great advice.....Networking is definitely a valuable tool and something I need to start doing.

Glad to see your still doing really well

hope yo pop in and see you soon

Si

February 17, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterTangle

Timely reminder Stephanie about the importance of networking. I love the analogy of your business "growing up" - gives me food for thought.

Keep up the good blogging1

February 17, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterSandra Mitchell

You are going to be AMAZING - Great article!
Just keep at it and tell everyone that Multiman is the answer to all the problems in their life.... and yes, I can scientifically prove that all the worlds problems are caused by unfinished DIY ;-)

March 3, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMultiman

-Audemars Piguet Le Brauss Limited swiss watchesthat Multiman is the answer to all the problems in their life.... and yes, I can scientifically pr

July 20, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJimmy Choo Pumps icon

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