WAHM Networking - Online and Otherwise

“If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard.”  Those immortal words were spoken by none other than my hero: Dorothy Gale.  We Kansas girls have to stick together and all that. 

What about you?  When you make the decision to work from home, how will you get the word out?  Even with the snazziest of websites, if no one ever sees it, how can it help you?  Sure, you can pay money to get the word out, or you can network.

Creating Your Network

Your network can be made up of friends, co-workers, mentors, family members, and even mere acquaintances. You meet people all over: in elevators, clubs, the gym, waiting in line.  Once you start a business, you’ll find that everyone you meet could be a potential client, customer, or network member.

When you work at home, however, one of the main places you’ll build a network is through the internet, and this is where social media can be really useful. Some good starts include creating an interactive blog, or signing up for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

Starting a blog is an excellent way to show off your capabilities and give information about your business. By soliciting and responding to comments on the blog, you'll be expanding your network; and you can express you skill sets for the viewing of potential clients. Showing how you can provide value to a client is a great first step in bringing them into your network. 

Using Facebook.com is a great way to let friends and clients connect with you.  Just be sure to keep your profile and pages professional.  Facebook offers features (read: photos) that create a thin line between personal and business.  Create a separate page (not a separate account—that’s not allowed) for your professional self and your personal self.

Use twitter.com to show off work you’ve done or to connect with people you'd like to meet.  Also, increasing the number in your network is done rather quickly through this outlet.  Using hash tags (#WAHM) to both search and post will help you create a stronger, more relevant network. 

LinkedIn.com is the most professional and business-like of the social media websites at the moment, and it's becoming more and more heavily used by those who work at home as entrepreneurs. Use this network to join professional groups and associations, staying in contact with others who are doing work similar to yours.

Another great way to use the internet in your networking endeavors is to search for conferences in your field. Should your income allow, sign up for the conferences. Even if you know the topics so well you could teach them, the main reason to attend conferences and conventions is to meet, greet, and network. Try to discover online and through social media who will be attending the conference, then begin networking with them online. Once you arrive at the conference, the face to face networking with create a stronger bond. Be sure to bring along business cards and info about your new business; while meeting someone face to face goes a long way toward having them remember you, giving them something to remember you by is even better.

How to Network Successfully

First, remember not to demand too much too soon.  Become a friend and an ally, not just someone who is constantly asking for favors.  The best network is one in which you can express a problem or dilemma, and people will offer to help without you needing to ask.  The only way to get to this point is to be helpful to others, as well.

If you do use one of your network connections to talk to someone else, don’t beat around the bush.  Your first statement should relate this to them.  For example, introduce yourself by saying, “While I was speaking with Jane Doe about my photography business, she suggested I speak with you.” 

Be Realistic, Humble, and Prepared to Offer Something in Return

Networking is about using someone else’s connections, but that is a two-way street.  If she helps you out, remember to return the favor when she requests that you do the same. On the flip side, don't ask a favor of anyone you're not willing to recommend in return.

Remember that social media is supposed to be social.  So, when you begin to build your network, be friendly.  Also, don’t overlook everyday connections.  Avoid criticism and disrespect (the adage "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" is fitting).  Viral networking can help spread the good word about you, but it also opens up a superhighway of communication of bad if you get careless.

Networking is a great way to get leads for your business.  Contact, connect, and treat everybody like your next best customer.  Sometimes you need not look any further than your own backyard to connect the dots to your dream.

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