So you’re sitting at your desk thinking how busy you are but you hesitate working with a virtual assistant. Why is that? Is it the money? Did you do the math and figure it would be easier and cost effective to do the work yourself? I have to be honest with you. I’m sure you’re a smart person, but this isn’t one of your best decisions. Did you throw away 5 hours today doing administrative work? Or are you wasting time looking for some clever, inspirational quote online to add to your Facebook page instead of contacting prospective clients? Or maybe you’re on hold ordering business cards or other office supplies.
In reality there are a few things you must understand and the rest is based on your personality and your native comfort level, and your ability to sift through the opportunities for the good matches and recognize where you’re wasting your time.
Email is another relationship building platform. Many gurus have beautifully branded emails. Others are just plain good reading without any branding logo. Yet, both have a feel and look to them. And, their personality shows through their branding efforts and communications to you. They are using marketing and networking courses that they found successful. Check these out and learn.
Contributing to newsletters and ezines of other webmasters who are targeting some of the same audience as you are. Try exchanging content with other webmasters who have established their own mailing list or offer a free ebook to all their subscribers.
Provides better software defined networking. You can use either local area networking or the Internet or wireless connections for the HP MFP. Simply use the company’s Web Jetadmin printer management software or its Jetdirect print servers.
Think you have to come up with something totally unique. Try not to invent a new wheel. If you want to succeed, your chances are greatly enhanced by doing something that has already proven successful. There is always room for new entrepreneurs and many communities will openly embrace you.
Possible choices: networking and/or business groups; business journal, chamber advertising, web based networking groups – such as BlitzTime, newspaper, direct mail, inserts, trade shows, e-marketing, billboard, radio, TV, internet advertizing, blogging – such as Ezine, website optimization, sponsored links on search engines and social networks such as LinkedIn.
While the risks are many the reward in many cases will outweigh the risk. You should choose to jump in if this is the case. But you should do so after careful examination of all the factors that will impact your success. The most successful launches of new groups always begin by identifying a core group of key participants that will bring excitement to the group. These participants should be people you know well but don’t network with as often as you would like. Once you’ve identified a core group, choose a day of the week and time that works for everyone and stick to it. Have an initial meeting to get the group going and to determine the other business categories you wish to fill. Then plan a launch party with at least four weeks notice.
At the very least, recognize that whenever there’s a networking conversation under way both parties are expanding their circle of influence. If you can make a concrete offer of support or assistance, so much the better. Doing so creates a positive association and could signal the beginning of an important business relationship. If you have the chance to lend practical assistance to a networking partner, you then have the chance to show off your skills, your team spirit and your work ethic in a ways that could soon have job offers coming your way.
Next time you wonder what you’re going to do and say at the next business event or club meeting, think about your structure, content, and delivery. Professional speakers prepare in advance, why not you?