Important Tip For Your Next Networking Event

Thanks to the internet, the world has become a smaller space. You can now use social media to meet someone on the other side of the world and create a network with that person. Seriously, just look at Kelly and me – we are in two different countries!

This is all relatively new in the world of business – creating so many connections where having face-to-face contact was not always possible to do. Does anyone even remember the business scene in the days before the world-wide-web? I do – networking was really only at award events or trade shows.

When networking face to face was the only way to network, it was a lot easier to know the intentions of those around you. Today people are a lot more cautious, with good reason. So, here is a quick tip for the next time you attend a networking event.

BE HONEST

You need to tell those you network with who you are and what you have to offer. And be completely transparent. If you know that there are other things on the market similar to yours, then let them know and let them know what makes your product superior to those others.

If you don’t know about similar products, then be sure you do thorough research into all aspects of what might be available and what other companies might be creating. You don’t want to get stuck looking inexperienced or unknowledgeable.

Spreading your wings and growing your business is a scary endeavour. If you do your homework and approach it with honesty and integrity, you’ll create a strong network for your business, in no time flat!

The Village’s next virtual networking night is in a few days, you should join us, we’d love to get to know you and your business better!

Common Networking Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to networking, you always want to make sure you do it right so you can grow your business. However, knowing what to do is one thing; knowing what not to do is something else entirely.

You might think you’re doing everything right, but if you’re not making the connections you expected, then perhaps you have fallen into some of the networking traps out there and didn’t even realize it.

Here are some common networking mistakes and how you can avoid making them in the future.

Not Getting Help: A lot of us struggle asking others for help. Networking is all about making connections, though. People don’t know what you need unless you ask them.
Use your personal or professional network and ask them to help you. You need to be connected to the right people. The more people you have getting the word out about you, the better, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Not Maintaining Your Relationships: It’s very easy to lose touch with people, even though it has never been so easy to stay connected. Maintaining contact with your current network and all of the people in it will help you grow.

Follow up with people – mentors, colleagues, and other contacts – on a regular basis to see how they’re doing. I am sure they would love for you to keep them up to date on you as well. Just remember, don’t make it all about you; you will want them to know what you’re up to while also finding out what they’ve been up to.

Not Taking Advantage of Social Media: We live in a day and time where networking is really all we do all day, every day. Social media has made it easy to connect around the world, and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on a great opportunity.

Start using great networking sites, such as LinkedIn, to make professional connections. This isn’t the only social media platform you should be using, but it’s a great place to start and a way to get your name out there.

Not Making In-Person Connections: Yes, we are in a day and time where social media is super-important to networking, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop meeting people in person. You should never do that. I know that Covid-19 changed the world, but you can’t continue to do everything over the internet.

If your online connection is not local to you, then use a multitude of different technologies like Zoom, which are at your fingertips, to make the world a much smaller place and meet up with people on the other side of it.

Not Being Grateful: Gratitude is often forgotten when it comes to networking. When someone helps you, being grateful will go a long way.
After having a conversation with someone in person or online, send them a quick thank you note for their time. It’s a small thing, but letting people know they are appreciated will go a long way and encourage them to want to speak with you again.

Not Making Sure It’s a Two-Way Street: When someone helps you out and makes a positive connection for you, then you have to be sure that you give back in some way. You especially can’t keep going back and asking for help without giving back in return. Relationships don’t work that way.

If you can avoid making these common mistakes, then you should be able to create a large and successful network for your business.

Join us inside the Village, start networking, and build those relationships today!

Why Networking is Important

If you’re not networking, then you’re missing out on a great tool for your business that could help you become more knowledgeable, gain new clients, and spread the word about your business.

Here are nine reasons why you should be networking for your business.

Increased business – This is the most obvious reason why you should network in your business. When you get other business leads through networking, you can believe that they are going to be high quality leads. These leads can be turned into clients.

Networking opens many doors – When you network, you are opening yourself up for opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise had. Partnerships, joint ventures, speaking engagements, increased sales, and client leads are some of the doors that will be opened to you.

Just remember, tick with the opportunities that align best with your business values and goals. Otherwise you’ll find yourself chasing rainbows instead and not really growing your business after all.

Business contacts – You’ve heard it for years: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. When you connect with other people, you open yourself and your business up to so many different resources. Not only do you get the person or company you network with, but you also get all of the people that individual or company have created a network with.

Having multiple groups of people you can rely on in your time of need, is important to getting things done and getting them done right the first time.

Advisors – The people you network with are likely a wealth of knowledge. You can learn so much from your network if you take advantage of it. Make sure who you speak with understands you and your goals and is looking forward to helping you achieve them, without stepping on anyone’s toes while doing it.

Becoming known – When you network and get your face and name out there, you can begin to show yourself to be an expert in your field, thereby boosting your reputation.

Stay positive – Having a network of like-minded, supportive, and positive people has a tendency to rub off on you. It can only help you grow and thrive as a business owner.

A confidence builder – By getting out there and networking on a regular basis, you will build your confidence. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll become a pro at networking and meeting new people. The more you do something, the better you get, so don’t give up on it.

Friendships – It might be surprising to see how quickly you can befriend someone who has so many business interests in common with you.

Helping others – Remember, you’re not the only one networking when you meet someone new. This means that you could be that expert on that one thing that no one else is, and you’ll take pride in knowing you helped grow your industry.

See? So many reasons why networking is important for any business.

So – what are you waiting for? Register for our next Networking night!

The next one is August 3rd!

Success Through Community is LIVE!

Hello and Welcome to our new blog! We are so very excited to be starting this new adventure and even more excited knowing that YOU are here with us!

We are Joelene Mills and Kelly L Gabel, an unlikely duo that met while we were both growing our separate businesses. We began leaning on each other for support in areas of expertise the other had and it didn’t take long before we didn’t go a single day without reaching out to each other. We celebrated wins, shared losses, continued to seek advice, and so much more. We both soon realized just how important it is to have someone in our corner.

Which brings us, and you, here. Let us give you an idea of what to expect and what you will see here on the STC blog. Together, Kelly and I came to the conclusion that no matter what you or your business offer, there is an easier way to build a successful business.

With a community.

We’ve all heard how it takes a village to raise a child, and we feel your business is no different. This space will have a little bit of everything business-related for the solopreneur seeking community, support, business tips, tricks, and success!

Our goal for this website is for all of our fellow solopreneurs to know there is power in numbers! We, and many others, are here to support you in multiple ways!

First, if you haven’t already, join us inside It Takes a Village Free Facebook Community. Where we have monthly business topics, tips, and resources for your business growth. The ITAV Community was created for you to build connections, and gain knowledge and inspiration for your own business. We and many other solopreneurs are there beside you, every step of the way to support you.

Second, if you are wanting or feel you need more one-on-one support, with a smaller network of like-minded women, then the ITAV Mastermind might be what you need! It is a premium mastermind for mission-driven, service-based women entrepreneurs who are ready and willing to put in the work it takes to reach the next level!

It Takes a Village Solopreneur Mastermind is 12-Weeks of Comprehensive Sessions that focus on the seasons of your business, during the seasons of the year. The mastermind is run quarterly, with the season of the year. Join the waitlist, so next season you can tap into the brainpower of several businesswomen and their expertise to take your company to the next level.

Look, you started your business because you believed in your vision and knew you would make a difference for your customers, family, and yourself. Only, you didn’t expect it to be so lonely! That is why Solo is the hardest part of being a Solopreneur.

Well, you are not alone. What is most important to both Kelly and me, is that you know that. We are here to support you as best we can along your business journey.

Once again, thank you for being here, and welcome to our corner of the internet. We are so pleased to have you join us and can’t wait to move forward in business together!

joelene mills signature