I have been invited to go along to a networking event with a friend this week and as its my first I am a bit nervous. I have looked through the forums and there is some great advice but since the threads are all from a while back I thought I would ask again and see if there is anything anyone else can add.
I am not sure if I need to do a 60 sec pitch but having been prepping something in case. This bit fills me with dread if I am honest but I will do it if I have to! Got to get out there and start making some contacts and hopefully getting some clients.
thanks in advance
-- Edited by Meadowlands on Monday 18th of November 2013 06:59:02 PM
It's a mums and business event - don't know if its good or not that the topic is "Money and business". I guess it could be an advantage as people will be thinking about sorting out their finances but also it could mean they feel they don;t need any more help/advice. My friend says its pretty informal, not sure of the numbers. I need to ask her tomorrow for some more info.
It's free to attend your first meeting so I have nothing to lose.
Have fun Meadow... and what ever you think its not going to be as bad as a BNI meeting! lol (they are the mac daddy of networking events, and if you get invited to one, go along see what its like but get some 'cheaper' networking experience under your belt first)
With regards to your 'elevator pitch', if indeed you have to do one, keep it short and to the point. By the time you have said you are and what you do you'll have 45 seconds left! lol. Then my best advice is to aim it at the people who are going to be in the room, self employed mums, doing a bit on the side etc etc... This way people will relate more to you when they speak to you later or even think of you a few months down the line.
- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE though, don't think that going there you will pick up a few clients, if you do your better than me! lol, took me a few months before I got my first client through networking. Its like being the new kid at school, you have to get to know people first let them trust you and start gaining contacts.
- DON'T talk too much about yourself, soak everything up like a sponge, first impressions count and some people form and opinion of you within 6 SECONDS of meeting you!! its true!! If your too much of a chatter box then people will just switch off.
- Take plenty of business cards, in fact take more than you think you need! Its better to be safe than sorry.
Above all enjoy yourself, and go in with an open mind!
Sorry to be a pain but where do you think that leaves me ref handing out business cards etc? I know I won't get any work for a while so the cert should be in place by then but if I am going to a networking event I guess I need to give out some sort of contact details. I am confused
kind regards
Alison
-- Edited by Meadowlands on Monday 18th of November 2013 06:59:44 PM
I have one more question ( well for today anyway) I am waiting for my practicing cert to come through and therefore my MLR cover. I have been reading other forum posts about this and they say I can't advertise, includign handing out business cards, until this is in place. Is this true and if so I guess it may be worth postponing attending as I can't hand out contact details.
If the practice certificate has been issued but not yet arrived then there is no issue.
I think that the posts that you are thinking about are where people have not yet sorted out their MLR / practicing certificate rather than such already having been paid for and simply being delayed in the post.
I would see no issue in advertising before arrival but would feel safer if it was hanging on my wall beforedoing the first know your client procedures.
Basically, if you've earned it and you've paid for it then treat it as though you have already received it.
Also, never underestimate the time lag betwen handing out cards and the first clients begining to filter through... Try not to expect anything for 3 months (used to be six but the market seems to have picked up a little of late).
Good luck with the new business,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
sorry I wasn't 100% clear, I haven't paid for the cert yet as I am waiting for the PII number to come through from Arlington (which I have paid for) and then I can whizz the Cert forms off to IAB - hopefully in next day or so. Its driving me mad how long all this paperwork seems to be taking to get started - being risk averse I want to make sure I get everything right form the start. Not expecting clients to appear tomorrow more of a go and get a feel for things, might even learn something!
Ah, sorry, my misunderstanding. Thought that you were just waiting for the practicing certificate to come through.
Arlington are pretty fast and it arrives via email for you to print off rather thean snail mail so once the cheque clears sure that it will all be really fast for you.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Like Shaun and I say, you will probably have nothing for the first few months so you should have everything in place by then. I would go, and if anyone asks for anything just give it to them, don't hand them out willy nilly. :D
thanks for the as always reassuring and helpful - its what I like about these forums! Typically I was all set to go and then I get up this morning and eldest child has a sore throat and can't go to school so have had to postpone until next time. Hopefully everything will be in place by then anyway.
Also need to think about how to cope with this situation when dealing with clients - partly why I want to set up and work for myself from home although I know there will be times when I need to go out and meet clients etc which will cause me issues. Hmm joy of being a working parent.
Single parent, sole custody... People lied to me and said it got easier as they got older... The reality is that when they're little you can at least buy child care, hit secondry school and your on your own.
Think that you will find Alison that many of the people on here, male and female, are all in exactly the same boat.
lol, reminds me of when my boy was still about 18 months old and I used to read him ACCA manuals as bedtime stories... Two birds, one stone and all that!
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
LOL thanks you made me smile! I agree it doesn't get easier just different as they get older, now I find my evenings tied up ferrying kids to their various social functions - guess I will have to wait to continue my social life.
At least I spent today day catching up on paperwork etc and clearing my desk. PII has come through so sent off for Practicing Cert
