NETWORKING WAHM

One of the hardest parts of trying to do it all is ….time management. Trying to juggle multiple things at once and the amount of time needed to complete it all is demanding at best some days.  Multitasking is key in trying to do it all. So I have decided to start including time management tools to my posts. We all seem to have less and less time these days. We are all adding in more and more activities and responsibilities to our lives with the same amount of time to accomplish it all in.

We all struggle with the conflict of time with family activities, verse work and one always wins out over the other.

Do you have a Mom Business? If you would like to share with my readers, please contact me? I would love to learn more about what you are doing out there? I get the most interesting emails and love to learn what others are doing these days!

Please feel free to contact me so we can connect. networkingwahm@gmail.com

One of the easiest ways to develop your network of contacts is to go to every party your invited to.  The focus is off you at a party which is not your own. There is no pressure on you. By going to a large variety of events you’ll meet many different people from all different backgrounds and businesses.

Learn as you go and watch others and how they network and learn from them. If  you have a contact who you feel networks well bring them along. Watch them as they use their networking skills and learn how they do it.

Direct sales parties, graduation parties, birthday parties, retirement parties are all fun places to network.  At this time of year there are many parities to attend. Never miss any event to mingle and learn from others.

So many of us would like to be great at networking or really want to be better at it? In  many of the networking groups you stand up and present your business to others. So do you have any anxiety about doing this? I know I do not like it, but will do it when needed.

So how can you become great in business if you  can’t do any public speaking? I really do think there are many people have stage fright and many us suffer from this. Many people have a real  public speaking anxiety issue, just the thought makes many nervous.

I know many people who really dread the idea of walking into a room of strangers at new meetings, events, etc. Are you one? A great tip is to get there early, so when the people start arriving they meet you first and you’ll feel more comfortable knowing a few people a little before it starts.

Many of us have public speaking fears. Do you hate the thought of getting getting up in front of a group.  You can take a class to work just on public speaking, it may just really help you in your business.

So the first step is learning about your fear or fears and facing it.  You can take small steps to face your fears. So you can network in all situations.

So you have a new business you want to start? Great! I’ll share you, others helped me early on. Some of which are still helping me, as I need it.  I thought I’d share this list of  “must be done” to get started.

Once you get going with the day to day of your business,  you loose the direction you once had. All the plans you initially had in your head will be  gone.  You don’t think so, but it happens, write everything down in a notebook or or better yet out it in a  spread sheet.  Believe me once you start doing the actual business part each day,  you’ll  never remember all the creative things you thought of in the beginning. I recently found a piece of paper with some of my early ideas.  I was amazed how great my early ideas were!

It so important to have many things in place before your up and running. You will not have time later!

1. First, Research and read up on what your thinking of doing. Learn everything so there are no surprises.

2. Do a business market analysis of your area or on the net,  for what your planning on doing. Make sure there are not too many others doing the same thing.

3. Get all the tax, business name,  checking accounts, credit accounts, permits, licenses,  etc. all set up and taken care of early.

4.  Set up social networking sites. Start making new contacts and advertise for free your new business.

5.  Set up a Business plan.

6.  Set up a  Marketing plan.

7. Get good business lawyer. Look  some offer great deals!

8. Get an accountant to give you advice,  you’ll need to know for you taxes later.

9.  Make a business check list to follow.

10. Find the vendors you’ll need and who are you going to sell to?

11. Find the materials you’ll need to run you business?

12. Funding where is it coming from?

13. Think about getting an business advisor!

14. Insurance you may need some.

15. How about copyrights, trademarks or patents with your business?

16. Buy a computer, phone, scanner, etc.

17. Domain name purchase, hosting and  website development  all needs to be done.

18. Software which ones to use?

19. To much to list and the list goes on, but this a start!

Write your business plan very early on with goals – 1 yr, 2 yr, 5yr, 10yr etc.  Really think about and develop you marketing plan,  so you can really get started.

Make lots of “to do lists”,  so you don’t miss anything. I even color code mine to importance, OCD like, but hey it works, right! Do not skip ahead in steps. Figure out the order of events and how they need to be done.  Some things can be done much later and some have to be done first to build the other steps on.

As a mom take small baby steps each day towards your goal. Slow and steady gets were you want to be just fine.

I recently had a interesting conversation about just this.  We talked about how a business can grow too fast and become out of control fast. You don’t want to have hire people right away, just in case do you have some informal help? You also don’t want to forced to  sell the business you have worked hard to develop, because it’s bigger than what you can now handle.

Slow growth is important, believe it or not. You can control the business growth yourself!

If I missed something just let me know,  I’ll add it to the list. This list is just to get you thinking and planning for your future. You can be a mom and run a business, I know many who do successfully. It’s all a matter of time management and putting out the big fires first.

Perseverance is needed,  but we have this quality,  we’re Moms!

Good Luck and happy brainstorming for you new adventure!

So I had a conversation the other day, I thought I’d share.  The conversation was about business timing.  The question I was asked was – When do you know it’s the correct time to start a business? Then I was  asked,  Is  now a good time to start one?

Wow! What loaded questions! I guess I need a disclaimer just on this post! I think it depends on who you ask. Depending on if your think half full or half empty on the economy.  Your own views of the economy would reflect in the answer you’d give, I guess.

Well I have a few thoughts on this. A very humble opinion from a very humble lady.

Well we all know the economy is way down. On the other hand we all know of some businesses who are  still doing well. If your very fugal with running your business, your OK.  If  your business is a necessity, you can do well. I know of a few businesses who are doing great. They may have a business on the dirty side, but it’s a necessity.

We all know the free following money period, we went through as a nation is gone for good.  The free money for mortgages, having fun spending your home’s equity, and the easy  loans are all gone.

That being said, people who are willing to think outside the box and try new things can make it. If you have a more modest approach to doing business, you can do fine.  So if you want to start a business on a shoe string and think smarter about your spending, you may just make it through this rough time.  If you want to run out and spend tons of money on a start up company, I would hold off . Right now doing so would not be the time, you’ll be belly up in no time. Think smart and act smart with your money.

I do think this is a great time to put your ideas and thoughts together, while taking it slow. The pace to take is slow steady – baby steps. Think things out very well  before you act. This is a great time to wait out and learn as much as you can, if you want to start a business – Research, Research, Research.

We are all watching and waiting to see how the economy is improving here and there. We are seeing small signs of some improvement. I’d be real savvy.  I approach my business at all times like it’s a savings account more has to go in than out.

On a personal note, I am a talk radio fanatic. I’m a big Dave Ramsey fan http://www.daveramsey.com I love to hear all the opinions of others.  Some on talk radio, just follow with the common sense of our previous generations, Dave does. Dave Ramsey gives common sense business advice.  Radio talk shows are a great place to at least get you thinking.

I’d would love to know what your thoughts are too. So really please email me and/or comment. I’d really love to hear what your thoughts are on this matter.

Affiliate Programs – If you currently have a program and would like to advertise it. I’m making a list for the site for interested parties. I just had a friend ask me, if I knew of contacts for  affiliate programs. I thought it would help others if we keep a current list for all to see on the site. If you would like to list yours please comment or email me at networkingwahm@gmail.com and I’ll list your site on mine.

Well you may have noticed our new look! A Spring inspired change has come to our site’s design. We are constantly changing and developing ourselves here at Networking WAHM.

Why should you save every business card you are handed? Right at the moment, you may not need the goods or services of another. Who is to say you,  a friend or a contact of yours; might not need the  same product or service in the future?

I have saved all the business cards I’ve been handed. Great networking is done by having business cards of other businesses to hand out.  By doing so I have become more efficient at networking with my contacts.  When someone asks me, if I know of someone who has a product or service. I have a stack to pull from. The process of spreading the word of other businesses, in your card stack,  you yourself become more knowledgeable. You learn what others are doing with their businesses. Your learn the business concentrations people have selected to focus on. You learn what’s hot in the market place, the new  business trends, and what people are the most in need of for services.

Your card stack is a sampling of the business types and the demographics of your community.  Which in itself may get you thinking. What type of businesses are missing in your area? Can you fill a hole or niche which is needed in your area?

Saving and recycling the cards,  to others is key.

You now can follow Networking WAHM on Twitter! Follow Networking WAHM on Twitter and I will follow your site or business.

http://twitter.com/NetworkingWAHM