Great Blog Off Guest Post - Pat Zappavigna
Network To Build Your Business!
I used to be scared to death when I heard the words “you have to network to build your business”. That is, until I joined some great forums and started “networking” with some of the greats. I didn’t even realize I was networking…I was just chatting and getting to know people.
It took a while for it to sink in…that’s what networking is. It’s just making connections and getting to know people. One of the nicest experiences (well… other than signing a new client) was when I’ve been able to refer business to an acquaintance– a person in my network.
OK – now comes the hard part – actually leaving your house and meeting people face to face. I still have a tough time with that because I’m basically shy until I get to know someone. I find that if I search the room for someone who looks as uncomfortable as I feel, and start chatting with them, we both become much more energetic and we lose that “deer in the headlights” look. That look could scare away anyone!
You have to be careful not to stay in the conversation too long, though, or you will wind up only networking with another person that doesn’t talk to anyone – so, who is that person going to tell about “Pat, the greatest VA that ever lived”? You need to move on – hopefully, just feeling like you “know” one person in the room will give you confidence to approach others.
Now, when I sign up for a networking event, I actually look forward to it. I get out of my house (which doesn’t happen often as a Virtual Assistant), I get a meal, I meet interesting people, I learn about other businesses and I get to educate people about what I do.
Now I just need a Virtual Assistant of my own to keep track of my social calendar….
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