I have just been notified of a local networking event for homebased businesses in my community and it is tomorrow night!
I have no marketing literature only business cards and I don't have a lot of time to prepare for it but think it would be a good opportunity to go and tell people about what I do, as you never know come next tax return time they may just need me to get their books in order!
Any advice on how to approach this would be welcome as I have been a 'stay at home mum' for the last few years and I am finding it hard to remember what it was like to be a 'professional'. I think I just need a confidence boost!
Thanks for reading,
Carolex
-- Edited by littlebookkeeper on Monday 22nd of March 2010 08:50:57 PM
All you need are business cards and, remember what Rob says - ask people about what they do before telling them what you do. You'll be fine it's the best way (except word of mouth) to gain business.
You'll be fine, Rob does very well out of networking, if you have young children and they are at school, try and get on the PTA as treasurer, you never know what doors that one will open.
I was speaking to a mum today from the committee (shes a helper) and she hadn't realised the reason my name got put forward was because of the job I do, she runs a business (already has a bookkeeper) and her sister-inlaw has just opened a nursery, so of course I gave her my business card, can't miss an opportunity!
If your children are not at school yet, what about pre-school, they have committes as well.
As Sheila and Amanda say, you will be fine. Networking after a bit of a layoff can be daunting and it gets to us all which is why I go to these meetings with a clear notion of just meeting people and with a zero expectation of actually getting any work. The desperate people looking for work will find it hard, so go there just to chat. As Sheila says, when you talk to someone just ask about them, have they been to this networking group before, any others, do you find it as terrifying as I do, what kind of business are you in, how are you finding getting new clients at the moment, can't wait for the clocks to go forward. Strangley enough people like to answer this kind of thing and you do not become a threat to them and then they ask you similar questions. Result! You get to tell them about you and you haven't been pushy. But now you need to know what to say, and you need to be able to get it across in 60 seconds because sometimes that is all the time you have and anything much longer and they may struggle to keep up with everything else going on in the room. But do not list out all your services, let them know how it will benefit them. So ask how they do their bookkeeping, do they do it themselves? Do they enjoy it, is it time well spent? Does their accountant do it? Ouch bet thats expensive and most accountants don't really want to do it. Is it timely, are they aware of where they stand with debtors/creditors? You are basicaly there to take away a headache. Be enthusiastic, if they say how boring bookkeeping is, say I know but the weird thing is I love it! Just put your own personality into it, but do not expect to come away with half a dozen bits of business (for a start you will need to talk to a lot of people) but some of those people you talk to may not say yes today, but after seeing them at the next three or four meetings and you go up to them and re-introduce yourself and remember bits about them you will be surprised how it starts to bring the work in. Most of the time the business doesn't even come directly from the person you speak to but because they will talk to people over the next 6 months and someone will say 'I need a bookkeeper' and then they will introduce them to you.
Anyway just go along, take the pressure off because you are not going to sell tomorrow, you are going to make a few contacts in the business world and you are going to show them what a nice person you are! Good luck.
-- Edited by RobH on Monday 22nd of March 2010 11:42:14 PM
Thanks so much for the advice, Rob have you ever thought of a career in counselling as a sideline? Very wise words on not having any expectations and asking them what they do, people do like to talk about themselves. I am just going to treat the whole thing as a social event and just tell people what I do when they ask. Great advice on how I can say I could be of benefit to them asswell. I guess it's not just about what you say, but how you say it.
Thanks Sheila and Amanda, I will just take business cards and nothing else then. I did used to be treasurer of the local parent and toddler group and found that was quite difficult at the time as my children were only 0 and 2 years old and also felt I got roped into doing a lot more than just the treasurers role as we were such a small committee. I was nowhere near ready to start a business then though! I have thought of putting myself forward for treasurer of the parent council at my boys school, the current treasurers 2 years will be up in November time and my husband is already on the council and has mentioned that I am interested in the role so I think I will push for it.
To add to the above posts, if you feel a bit daunted, just remember everyone is in the same boat and is there for the same reason. Approach people who are on their own to chat to. If you feel awkward approaching people, seek out the host and tell them so and ask them to introduce you to some people.
As Rob says, networking is all about building relationships and even though the results may not be instantaneous, you may meet some great people that you can get to know and who can refer you to other people.
Also try to think of people you can refer the people you meet to. Networking is two way, and if you can put work their way, all the better for the relationship.
