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Networking Not Once, Not Twice, But Constantly

Written by: Kathie Thomas

Article Overview: 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?

Networking Not Once, Not Twice, But Constantly

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!

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Article Tags: australia, business operators, cards, case letters, early 1990s, habit, multitude, networking guru, professional development, robyn henderson, self employed business, seminars, virtual assistant, virtual businesses, written communication



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Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
How can we say 'NO' to good new ideas of Internet Marketers - Hi, My background: I am total novice to the internet with regards owing a successful website. I am in the process to launch it. However, the best way to learn it is by doing myself. I have a challenge. Constantly I see new URL's with phantastic potential ideas, that can be beneficial. I explore it to satisfy my curiosity. Time lost is hard to retrieve. Then at the end of the day I wonder what have really done? In many ways I need to learn constantly to go forward. Is there anybody out there who has experienced the same issues and how did you overcome it with a breakthrough? I welcome any encouraging ideas Kindest Regards Beat
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - [quote="burnsrunner":1zobscwk]I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?[/quote:1zobscwk] I am on Twitter and Linkedin, have not joined Facebook yet as my time is fairly limited and one needs a lot of time to devote to all these various networking platforms. Unless you do this full time (the networking I mean). MichelleJ
Trump Institute - Toronto - I agree, the Networking available at these courses and the people I can connect them with is what I love to do. Also, this one event is a stone's throw away from my place - I can't resist. Oh! I also get to walk away with some new reading material.


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