... or are you putting your eggs all in one basket?

As I meet more and more business owner/operators the thing that tends to separate the successful from the not so successful, it seems to me, are those who understand the value of networking. Many talk about it but not all walk their talk.

Being in business means having to do more than just supply services or products to clients, but rather it is important to make connections, get to know people, and let others know about what you have to offer. After all, we are the best salespeople for our own businesses and no-one knows what we’re about like we do. This applies to anyone - not just those in the VA industry.

I often encourage those I meet on the VA forums, and in other business forums to explore and see what other groups they can find that might introduce them to their target audience and/or introduce them to peers who can teach them more about running their business. What concerns me is that many join only one networking group (online or offline) and then expect that group to be the answer to all their needs. That is often not the case at all. In fact, I believe that they still very much have an employee mindset - they feel that others should be doing for them, what they really should be doing for themselves.

Belonging to several local face-to-face networks, as well as a good number of online networks, has given me many opportunities and I’ve met some really interesting people, and occasionally some who have been of great value to my business. And wherever I go I meet potential clients. I would be restricting my opportunities if I didn’t participate in several groups.

If you are new to the VA industry, don’t underestimate the value of exploring several networking possibilities and don’t overestimate any particular one as providing all the answers for your needs. They won’t as each will have a different set of benefits and focus for what they plan to achieve. Some VA forums provide client referrals but you will not get fulltime work out of this, so don’t expect it - it is your role to make sure you are marketing and promoting your business in other avenues as well. Some VA forums don’t have client referrals but do provide excellent 24/7 support for you in your business.

Article may be reprinted by permission Kathie M. Thomas, Founder "A Clayton's Secretary". Dedicated to teaching others about operating business over the Internet, Kathie is a multiple award winner in her industry as a Secretary and Virtual Business Operator, and has 30 years' experience in the secretarial/administrative field. www.vadirectory.net

Thanks Kathie, for this common sense statement on the importance of diversifying the who, what, where, and when of marketing and networking!

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You're welcome Tess. I hear from so many who just join one network, sit back and expect that their membership will work for them, when they are doing nothing actively for themselves.

Kathie M. Thomas

Well, I think what most VAs need to realize is that a forum by it's very nature is meant to provide a sense of support and community - any work or potential client that comes out of that is totally secondary and is a major bonus but shouldn't really be the main reason for participating.

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I also think that we tend to have our favorite places we go online(networking forums), once we've developes our own pattern for networking, so to speak, and then we go back there the most.. For me, I don't mind to speak out and say this forum is and will always be my favorite...,so even though I am members of other forums, this tends to be my favorite place, not only for the info, but also for the friendship we find in other VA's.. My time is valuable, given as I work full time being a VA, so where I network has to be the best of the best, as I'm sure we all agree Once you find your groove(your networking sites), stick with them and thats how you build those friendships and connections..Great info!!

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Jackie, what a great testimonial to this community!

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Originally Posted by Tess

Well, I think what most VAs need to realize is that a forum by it's very nature is meant to provide a sense of support and community - any work or potential client that comes out of that is totally secondary and is a major bonus but shouldn't really be the main reason for participating.

Many of the VA networks that do have client job requests have forums attached and I expect that's where this expectation comes from many of the newer VAs - expecting that work will just be given to them without much effort on their part. A learning exercise I guess but I also see it as a mindset change - moving from a job as an employee to a business as a business owner. Takes time to change.

Best regards,

Kathie

Agreed...we actually have one too (even a job submission form) - although we're very new at only six months this isn't now (and likely won't ever be) a major focus of the site.
We have just recently introduced the VA Partners section where members can solicit work from other members...
I'd love to be able to offer the membership a list of legit VA opportunities directly on the site but I expect that aspect of the forums will take shape if and when it's meant to.

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Originally Posted by Tess

Agreed...we actually have one too (even a job submission form) - although we're very new at only six months this isn't now (and likely won't ever be) a major focus of the site. We have just recently introduced the VA Partners section where members can solicit work from other members... I'd love to be able to offer the membership a list of legit VA opportunities directly on the site but I expect that aspect of the forums will take shape if and when it's meant to.

Sounds good Tess. I like what you have set up here - it looks great. You've done a fantastic job in a short time and it's developing well. Congratulations!

Kathie

Thank you I appreciate that! I credit the membership with the growth here though - if it wasn't for such amazing members it wouldn't be nearly as much fun to continue building the site and adding new features, etc.

So - back to the topic at hand...networking - just out of curiosity Kathie - what would you say was your number one networking method when you were first starting out, and what is your current number one method?

For me, I'd say that when I was first starting out Craigslist was actually my number one method. Now, it's simply asking existing clients for referrals (and thanking them generously for every single new contract that comes in as a result.)

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