NETWORKING WAHM

Archive for April, 2010

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

Network anywhere and everywhere! Just about anywhere you go, can become a great moment to spread the word about your business. Ask others what they do, tell  them about what you do and what your business is about.

I recently took a trip to see family. During the sit and wait time at the airport, I networked as much as I could. I feel the contacts I made gave me some good business advice and leads on some of the resources, which I need. Great contacts can some from just about anywhere why not the airport talking with other travelers.  Business people are very interesting to talk with and you learn just by listening. You both have the time just to sit and talk. Be it in the airport or on the plane use the time wisely!

The easiest way and the most effective way to network is directly.

Often business contacts, family, friends, and neighbors are all interconnected through  you.  We all network without even thinking about networking. We’re so great at networking on a social level. We give out or friend’s business cards to other friends and say “I know someone, a friend of mine,  who does what your looking for” We’re  great at networking on a social level for our friends businesses, why not combine it all together?

Have a lunch with your friends, ask each one bring a business contact, which they have experience working with. Ask they bring a contact, they would really like others to meet. Why not take some of your own business contacts! Bring the ones you are already thinking could benefit from meeting your friends and your friends would benefit from!

A Connections Lunch!

Lunch is a wonderful setting to meet others. It’s short enough and long enough to get a feel for the group and exchange business cards. Lunch is perfect, because if you really need to get somewhere you can excuse yourself and casual enough to do so.

Those of you who sell products, could even supply door prizes, as an incentive to take time out of our busy schedules to attend a lunch. The following lunch, another person could supply the door prize that way you all learn about each others’ products. You get the idea.

I know these groups already exist. I have looked into it and most groups you pay a yearly fee or a monthly fee (a small business itself) You could do it yourself for free with separate checks!

As a small business person, I have not paid to join a contact group, for a few reasons.

1. I love connecting through my friends. If my friend  likes and trusts a contact to refer me, chances are I will like them as well. Word of mouth advertising is the best, friends have great connections to draw from.

2. Cost vs. Benefit. I have a small business and I have to think of my costs at all times in this economy. Joining a few of these groups could be costly.

Lunch anyone?

Networking WAHM

Hiring an online Business “Expert” – Many people in the world today are trying to make money in all different ways. Your trying to make money online or you may be interested in it, correct?

In my opinion, there are two types of business people in the world. The real ones and the  scam people.  The real business people are very honest and open about their business and they have selected goals.  Real business people select certain areas to excel in, develop them and become great in select areas. Often they work on a few projects at a time and  work till completion.

Real business people tell what their expertise is.  If they don’t know about a topic, they’ll tell you. When they are not familiar with a topic and don’t know an answer,  they’ll often research it for you, because they want to know the answer.  Often getting back with you with the answer. (A good Networking Tip for you : You can become a true friend and great contact by doing this for others)

The real ones will their build their knowledge base and share it with everyone. (A good Networking Tip, it builds real connections) Networking comes in by sharing your own knowledge base, you build a great network of like minded people to bounce ideas off of and share.  You both grow professionally. Exactly what I do everyday. I try to learn as much as I can to help others.

The scam people will say they’re an expert in everything to get your money. Scam people willl be an expert on everything from A to Z (E-commerce, Site Analysis,  SEO, Coaching, Affiliate Marketing, Social Networking, Direct Sales, Advertising, Shopping Carts, Virtual Assistants, etc)

Believe me when I say,  being on online is so complicated and complex, you can’t be an expert in it all. The fact is the trends change and the what people are doing online is always changing.  If someone is saying their an expert it all, STAY AWAY. Th fact is,  most of the people who I know who work with online businesses  specialize in a few areas of concentration. Having concentrated for years on the same thing and really building their knowledge base. Be it SEO, Affiliate Marketing, Virtual Assistant, Coaching, etc. To be truly great you need to really focus on a few topics, learn and watch constantly the changes which are happening.

You know the scam people want your money, just be smart.

I guess what I want to say is, be careful and educate yourself first.  Use good online resources or  go to the library or bookstore for a few hours and sit and read. Learn about certain topics. Start with the topics which you are in the most need of knowing about.

Money Saving Tip:  Educate yourself first on topics and you can spot the scam people and have your questions ready to interview potential consultants!

If  you want to learn about how to increase your  SEO. Start first by try to build up your own SEO number yourself. Free ways exist to increase your SEO number. If you want to improve  your SEO and what your are doing currently is not working, you have researched and try it all. Then find someone who is a SEO specialist.

I would talk to you local contacts first, ask them who they have used as a consultant. Ask about which books they have read on the topic. You may be able to do it yourself, if does take time. Blogging helps your numbers and there are SEO keywords. On topics to do with being online, there are “go to guys or girls”on it all. Your local contacts may know of someone in your area you can talk to or someone online they trust.

Be smart. Good luck. Please don’t get ripped off.

The large learning curve exists, but it can be overcome with baby steps and learning everyday.Invest the time, learn yourself and you’ll Thank me.

Hang in there and read, read, read.

Networking WAHM

So you can follow Networking WAHM.com on Facebook.  See you there, ask me questions and give me input. Just remember I am on mom time, I might not get back to you right way.  Same rules apply as to the site kindness, realness, and honesty count.

Sincerely,

Networking WAHM

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_209182195769126

A Networking Fundraiser is an event to help a nonprofit or charity organization.

I previously have taken part in a networking fundraiser and it was a wonderful event and worked well for all involved.  The goal in doing this type of event is many fold.  Everyone wins in some way.  The charity or nonprofit wins with increased revenues raised by the event.  You can donate or give a part of you earnings from the event to the charity or nonprofit. We each donated part of our earnings from the event, but you can set yours up how ever you like.

You win because your goal of networking with new customers and meeting new business contacts is achieved. You also win by meeting new people who may have never heard of your products or services before.  You are touching whole new market of people by having this one event.

To organize an event find a nonprofit group, suggest having one to them.  There are millions of  charities to choose from.  Find one near and dear to your heart.  Maybe someone in your family has an illness, start there you’ll be more vested in the success of the event.

We held ours in a local church for free.  The one which I was involved with had direct sales people, small businesses, and other non profits organizations.  I offered some products at a  greatly reduced price and the difference was given to the nonprofit, also.   We even held raffles at the event with the proceeds going to the nonprofit.  We offered some combination baskets with a mix of all of the vendors products.

Try it may help your business. Did  I mention the tax write off? I know you may really like that part as well.

Pick a charity or nonprofit and give it a try.

Have a Networking Day,

Have you ever had one? I have had several lately.  I have found easy ways and free ways to network. Yes, I said free! Social Networking sites are great for networking. You can find others with similar interests to yours by joining the groups on the social sites.  A warm non pushy introduction is the best way to get to know others in the group.  Once you know the others in the group and they know you some,  you can start networking.  You can  send them a message about your business and offer your services or help.  Even better yet, ask them about their business as a conversation starter.  I usually ask if anyone is a Wahm like me, if it is a parenting type group or small business group.

I recently ordered a gift for a family member from a local business.  I looked it up online because it’s easier for me to compare businesses and products. It turned into a networking moment, because we live in the same area, there was an instant trust. I called the company to follow up on my order after I placed it.  I asked about her business. I told her I like her products and I told her about my businesses. I complimented her on her shopping cart and website (Which she did, herself.  I was impressed and told her so) and the conversation grew.  There are many honest good business owners out there. Share with other business owners and learn from them. During the process of networking and growing your own business.

Networking Wahm