Creating a Network
by Emma Payton
One of the most important things you can do to support your decision to become self-employed is to develop strong networks. Here are some tips on how to find them:
1. Find out if there are any local business groups in your community. Some examples of organizations that host networking groups are: Chamber of Commerce, Business Networking International, home-based business associations. If there isn’t one in your community, start one! One that was started in our community a few years ago by a small group of women is the Comox Valley Women’s Business Network and it is now over 90 members strong.
2. Talk to people in a similar field to you. Ask them what they do and how they do it. Ask them what they enjoy and what they find most difficult. Share your experiences too. I regularly talk to other consultants about their work and share my experiences. This type of networking helps to support my work, support their work and add to our mutual resources.
3. Check out online communities of people who are doing similar work to you. I know of a woman who is part of an online group where members contact each other regularly, share information, share resources and pool their resources. This group raised over $15, 000.00 USD for the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief in less than 2 hours!
No matter where you go to create your network, and you should use multiple sources, you want to get the most from your network.
1. Don’t be shy, speak up.
2. Listen, listen, listen.
3. Ask questions.
4. Share what you can.
5. Trade business cards.
6. Build “friendships”, they last longer and are more fruitful than “business associates”.
Being self-employed or starting a business takes hard work, patience and determination...
One of the most important things you can do to support your decision to become self-employed is ...