For those of us who work during the day, how do you manage to network? I was looking at events offered by the Chamber of Commerce for the next 3 months and all of the events are held during the day. What are other options for offline networking?

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Shante'

I go to a few local after-hours Meetups.com groups, our Chamber has both monthly breakfast and lunch groups, and I check the local paper for morning or evening entrepreneur group meetings. My work schedule is flexible so I can come in early, take a long lunch, or leave early. Don't know if this helps or not!

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

As a virtual assistant, I set my own hours so I can attend any events at any time I want to. That's the plus about this industry.

Originally Posted by JWGelseyBusinessSolutions

As a virtual assistant, I set my own hours so I can attend any events at any time I want to. That's the plus about this industry.

But... for those of us who still work a 9-5...

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I only go to the events that are held in the evening. Unless it is something I REALLY REALLY think will be beneficial, then I take a long lunch, come in late, or leave early so that I can attend.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Shante,

Our local Chamber used to have events that were in the evening as well as before work. You might inquire if they offer anything like that just maybe not on a regular basis.

You may also want to check your local BNI chapter to see if they have meetings outside of normal hours that you could attend. Otherwise, I'd look to connect with people online during the times that work for you.

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Kelly Poelker |

Interesting comments, very useful. I guess being a VA really helps to set your own hours and meetings.

In nearly every social situation someone will inevitably ask... "What do you do?" Talk about what you do and who you've worked with and anything else relevant to your business. If you are still getting your business rolling note that too! Most people are willing to take a couple of your business cards because 'they know someone that might need your services'. I've gotten a couple of clients this way.
I've heard of people doing this in the checkout line at stores (or anywhere else you have to wait with others).
Of course this would be in casual conversation format not sales pitch talk! You don't want to be the one at every event that people avoid because your business is all you talk about!

I could only say word of mouth. Pass out your business cards to your family, neighbors and friends. Over the weekend I went to the UPS store and asked permission to put some of my business cards on their bullentin board. They had no problem...

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Virtual Express Inc.:daisy:
Ramonita Comas

Originally Posted by Virtual Express Inc

I could only say word of mouth. Pass out your business cards to your family, neighbors and friends. Over the weekend I went to the UPS store and asked permission to put some of my business cards on their bullentin board. They had no problem...

How about tradeshows? A lot of those are held on weekends. I'm thinking along the lines of homeshows and such that are held at the malls sometimes. Also, how about asking a local real estate agent if you can do a mini presentation to teach their agents about the VA industry and what you can do for them. Again, this is pretty dependant on your niche and it would probably be better if you could do something like this before or after a sales meeting when most of the agents would be in attendance (chances are, this would probably be during a week day).

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy: