One of the very important key elements of doing business, both online and offline (brickand mortar) is through networking. It’s a great way to meet people, create new alliances and ultimately win more business.
I work from home and work hard. No sofa lounge lizard watching TV for me! During the day I work on client projects, some are easy, some are fun, some not quite either. They all require an intense degree of attention to detail, diligence and a high degree of precision. or maybe I just think they require all that being as I am somewhat of a perfectionist!
Whatever. I do what I do because I love what I do and I give my clients 110%. it keeps them happy and happy clients are repeat clients who refer others.
By the time evening comes I’m tired. However, my day rarely ends there.
At least 5 out of 7 nights a week are spent networking. An occasional business lunch or dinner with the local chapter of my state business women owners organization for some real handshaking and face to face networking and the rest taling advantage of the many very good networking resources found online.
I spend my time tweaking any given profile, uploading screenshots of my work and completed projects, participating in forums, hooking up with other members, and of course finding new networking opportunities.
I also spend some evenings writing some creative content articles to enhance my reputation as a freelance writer of quality content and of course, making money.
The business of networking and marketing oneself and one’s business can be every bit as tiring as running the business, yet, it can be a rewarding and lucrative way to gain contacts and business as well as expand your overall reach in the search engines.
Joining a local or state business organization or your local Chamber of Commerce is another way to gain very valuable networking leads and exposure.
Volunteering on a committee is yet another way to network and meet potential customers plus it gives people the opportunity to get to know you.
This is important as it helps develop the trust factor. People who know yuo and trust you are much more likely to come to you first for a product or service.
Sure, all of this takes time and so doesn’t leave much room for fun and leisure. Look at it this way ~ you are building solid ground work for future business and business relationships. Out of those relationships comes business and referrals.
No business = no money = no fun and leisure. Personally I don’t mind working hard day and night in order to reap some solid rewards!
