NETWORKING WAHM

Posts Tagged ‘networking’

Being a mother is often referred to as a “full-time job” and with all of the responsibilities and duties that come along with this title it is unfortunate that overtime pay is not an option. In an economy where a dual income isn’t a so much additional as it is necessary income, not everyone has the luxury of “mother” being their only occupation. Many moms out there are finding that they need to go back to work but might not quite be sure how to get back into the professional world. After all, where do job searches and interviews fit in between dropping off the kids at school and rushing them to soccer practice afterward? Luckily, for the modern women, multitasking is usually not a problem and technological advances are making it easier than over to market yourself professionally without spending too much of your precious time on those efforts. 

First, if you want to be on the job market you are going to have to put yourself out on it. The quickest way to do this is by establishing a professional online presence. These days, employers like to do a little background research on potential employees, so make sure that your professional and not personal self is what initially pops up on Google searches. There are several resources you can use to quickly establish your professional online presence, but one of the best and time-efficient ones is LinkedIn. This professional networking Web site allows users to connect with other professionals in their industry for various business purposes. By creating an account with LinkedIn you are able to create an online profile that includes information about your professional experience, educational history, and portfolio work. This is a great way to get your resume information out there without taking the time to send out a bunch of resumes to potential employers.

Having a LinkedIn profile that shows up when someone enters your name into an online search engine can also save you a lot of time in the interview process. When interviewers already have some knowledge about your work experience and educational background they can cut right past the informational part of the interview and ask the most important questions that will let them know if you are the right person for the job. This saves both of you time as you won’t be called in for any interviews you are not qualified for and the ones that you are qualified for  will likely go a lot faster.

This online tool also serves as a great way to network without having to take the time out of your busy schedule to attend job fairs, hiring events, or other social functions. LinkedIn allows you to connect with other professionals you have worked with in the past and discover the inside connections you may have that can lead to future career opportunities. It also helps you to identify industry executives and other management professionals in your field that could have the power to put you in the right position. Rather than spending hours researching companies to find out who you need to contact in order to secure an interview, you can just search for professionals in your area and invited them to look at your profile to bring attention to your credentials and generate interest in your capabilities.

By-line:

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online college. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.

It’s a hard economy, what steps can you take which are not costly, benefit your business and are easy to do?

5 TIPS -

1) Start bartering with you local contacts for services. Use the bartering “topic”, as a means to network and meet more local businesses.  Take the topic out into your city or town and ask other local businesses, if they would be interested in bartering. If they don’t already, branch out and develop your bartering group. If you city or town doesn’t already have one this may be a fantastic networking opportunity for all of your contacts. Think of bartering as a way you can decrease your expenditures and still keep your business fully functional.

2) Offer you employees bartered services as bonuses. Many bartering groups use gift certificates. By offering your employees gift certificates, you form a good a working partnership with other companies. This will be a great way for you to form a new networking group. If you have more than just yourself to take advantage of bartering, you’ll spread your business name. Often your employee, will develop into a new repeat customer which is a winning situation for the other business.

3) Join as many coffee business networking groups as your time will allow. Often they are not advertised, so you may need to ask around and use the Internet to find the groups.

4) Rather than having to push yourself to always sell your business. Just invite local contacts you would possibly like to do business with to your coffee group. Let the natural friendships form.

5) Use social media to network your business. Often we use it solely for our personal use. Promote your specials, new products, bonus deals, coupons etc. with social media. You would be surprise how well it works. For those who use it regularly, no advertising compares to the reach which social media has.

Networking  is the most solid way to grow and develop yourself  as a business professional, by networking your business will naturally grow. You can do both at the same time, most of us learn almost through osmosis just by being around others. You not only meet potential clients, but also friends you’ll learn from. Networking is a tried and true method of growing any business. Networking doesn’t have to cost a lot,  you can become your own advertising and marketing consultant. You just have to be sincere and yourself. How great is it to know, you yourself, are your own best marketer and salesperson ever!

With a new year around the corner, many of us are making new plans for growth and change. The New Year is coming up, how are you planning on changing your business and social  life. Have you given thought to adding  any new networking groups to you marketing plan in the new year? Your should try to add a few groups each year. Drop out of  networking groups which have not worked in the past year in helping you grow your business.  Try to find the networking groups which will be more effective in your growth. Seek out the groups which are not far for you to travel to. Time is money and money is time, including travel time. If you start your research online try to find the groups in your area which will best serve you.

In thinking about joining more groups in the new year. Also think about professional organizations, entrepreneur groups, and technology groups. Think outside of the box, maybe join the groups you can learn from in addition to offering just networking opportunities.  Think about your own skill set and what you could benefit from learning when looking into groups. Classes are also a great way to network.  In doing so you can grow your list of contacts, from an ample group of contacts to a new substantial group. Just think of how much you could grow your business, if you substantially increased your contacts in one year. How much would you grow?  Really contemplate on doubling your contact list over time.

We have all given of our time to causes over the years. Have you ever considered drawing together your local contacts, to help a cause together?

No better way, for your contacts to truly be themselves and get to know each other on a personal level first. Down the road, maybe trying each other’s services or products.  Networking on a professional level is much more stuffy. Networking in a fresh and different way, to bring local people together. Bring your favorite local people in your network to get to know each other, in such a selfless way, is fantastic. Networking done face to face, on your home turf in a low key way, how  fun, and  it’s all for a good cause. It doesn’t get any better and you’ll feel great after! 

For WAHMs,  it’s the perfect way to get to know other WAHMs,  in a more relaxed way. Our challenges are not being able to get out as much as we’d like, with our work being at home. Doing work for a cause, would be the prefect outlet of us occasionally.

Idea:  You could create a team.  For example -  Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, it would be perfect cause for women coming together. Being able to  train as a  local team of business people, make new friends and business contacts while raising money of a great cause.  Read the rest of this entry »

Please come  over and join our Circle of Moms Community. Please feel free to ask your questions. I have often given thought to starting a forum for Networking WAHM. Circle of Moms is convenient for most of us who are Facebook users, I felt it was logical choice.

Networking Mom

Networking WAHM – Circle of Moms

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.

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

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