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A chance comment from a Virtual Assistant on a forum during the week prompted me to think about the message they were conveying. They gave the impression that they only networked now and then for their business when they ran out of work, but not often otherwise.
Before I started my business I had been attending seminars and events for personal and professional development back in the early 1990s and one of the things that was constantly re-iterated, was the need for networking, in order to get ahead. This was for the corporate world as an employee - how much more important is it for us as self-employed business operators? I bought books about networking and read constantly. Much of what I learnt back then still applies today.
During that time I met Australia’s networking guru, Robyn Henderson who wrote Networking for $uccess and a multitude of other books on networking. In fact I kept in contact with Robyn, letting her know how much I enjoyed her books and what I’d been learning, and do you know what happened? Robyn became one of my clients a few years later! Networking even occurs in simple written communication, in this case letters and cards as it was pre-Internet.
I strongly believe that networking isn’t something to be carried out when work has dried up (which was this VA’s problem) but rather something that is continuously worked upon, every single week. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, something constructive should be done regularly towards the building of your business. Otherwise, a few weeks or a couple of months down the track you’ll find things quiet again and wonder what’s happened?
You stopped networking, that’s what happened!
Networking can happen both online and offline and, in fact, I believe it’s important that both are carried out equally. We may operate virtual businesses but clients can still be found locally and quite close to where you live and work. Why ignore this potential client base?
Make it a habit to network regularly every week and over time you’ll find a constant stream of enquiries and client contact happening which will keep moving your business onward and upward. And if you get too busy, you can then outsource or sub-contract to others, or simply pass the work on!
Networking can happen both online and offline and, in fact, I believe it’s important that both are carried out equally. We may operate virtual businesses but clients can still be found locally and quite close to whe...
Sales reluctance syndrome can strike a salesperson at any time during the selling process, anywhere and with anyone. Learn about the top seven reluctance in networking thoughts and feelings, and how to get started o...
Many people who sell find themselves dreading it, doing it stressfully and being reluctant with networking. This is one of a series of articles to turn networking misconceptions into better understandings - and sale...
The intent and theme of Bob Burg's book, "Endless Referrals" is how to get people to know you, like you, and trust you. They should also want to see you succeed, and want to help you to find new business.
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Kathie Thomas
(Visit Kathie's Website)
Kathie M. Thomas is an Author, Blogger,
Speaker and Virtual Assistant Coach &
Trainer. She began her business ‘A
Clayton’s Secretary’ in 1994 to be home
fulltime for her 5 daughters. Today she
runs a global business via the internet
and is an avid blogger. She also
contributes to printed and online
publications and has published several
books. Her passion is about helping women
return home to work, using skills they
developed in the workforce, so they can be
home fulltime for their families. Her
latest book “Worth More Than Rubies: The
Value of a Work At Home Mom” was recently
made available at Amazon.com.
Kathie Thomas Video - About the book Worth More Than Rubies and being a Work At Home Mum by Kathie Thomas - every mother's dream! Based on the Proverbs 31 Woman.
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