homebiznotes.com

October 5th, 2007

Networking For Home Business Owners - 20 Ways To Find Others In Your Niche

Miranda Marquit at WorkShak reminds us that long after National Work At Home Week celebrations have finished, the networking and connections can continue all year round.

Networking - It’s All About Mindset
For effective networking and developing relationships, you first of all need the right mindset. Accept that your competitor does not necessarily have to be an adversary. This is about mindset and being open to opportunity.

20 Ways To Find Others In Your Home Business Niche

1. Telephone Directory
2. Community Guides
3. School Newsletters (Articles & Ads)
4. Community Newspapers (Articles & Ads)
5. Brochures
6. Websites
7. Blogs
8. Business Directory
9. Conferences
10. Meetings
11. Trade Fairs
12. Other Events & Gatherings
13. Clubs or groups related to your home business niche
14. Courses
15. Community notice boards
16. Word of mouth through friends, family and colleagues
17. At your child’s school or club
18. By chance e.g. at a party
19. Industry journals or magazines
20. Business cards

Over To You

Any other suggestions about where to find others in your home business niche? How did you meet your networking colleagues? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences

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By Yvonne Russell -- 6 comments

October 3rd, 2007

Home Biz Owners Celebration - National Work From Home Week

A tip of the hat to Laura Spencer at Work From Home Momma, who has alerted me to the fact that this week is National Work From Home Week (October 1st - 8th). Let’s make it an International Celebration.

Connect With Other Home Business Owners
As home business owners, we are often isolated in our own little cocoons. What a wonderful idea to celebrate as one group with common interests.

Even if you can’t get to any formal National Work From Home Week events, there are ways we can connect all the same. This special week is a great recognition of a growing trend in home based businesses worldwide. Let’s all celebrate together, wherever you are in the world. Let’s call it International Work From Home Week.

Get Together With Home Business Owners In Your Area
Maybe you can get together with fellow home based business owners in your area and have your own celebrations. If you don’t know any local business owners, perhaps this is a reminder to join a local network or to seek out groups where you can touch base with others, formally or informally.

That’s not only good for your business, but it can be energizing to take some time away from the business too.

Network Online With Fellow Home Business Owners
If you’re online, take the time to commment at blogs in your niche, or send an email to the owner. If you don’t comment much, take the leap, and seek out some blogs of interest to comment at. If you already comment at specific blogs, how about exploring and commenting at a few new blogs or sites related to your home business or home business in general?

This is a great way to build relationships and network.

It’s YOUR week all over the world - Work From Home Week - Let’s Celebrate!

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By Yvonne Russell -- 10 comments

June 3rd, 2007

Networking for Your Home Business - Online

More and more networking for home businesses and other business occurs online nowadays.  This seems to be the growing trend even if your business isn’t an online one.  Business owners begin to find the Internet and e-mail a great way to communicate with customers and to promote their products and services. 

As Mark Allen said in the interview about his online home business, “The great thing about an online business is that the world is your market.”  Likewise, the great aspect about online networking and promotion is that the world is your audience.  You can meet and work with people around the globe.

What are some ways to network online?

*Join an online group that specializes in like interests or businesses.  Here you often can find advice, support, and encouragement.

*Visit other web sites and blogs and leave comments, thus introducing yourself and becoming a familiar name.

*Write articles for web sites and become a guest on blogs that have a similar interest.  (You’ll often learn about these opportunities through discussions on online groups.)

*If it seems practical, become associated with an online marketing site like Mark has with CafePress.

*Introduce yourself to others who write columns or have blogs.  I receive e-mails from people who either want suggestions or have a book or product they want me to review.  When you do this, be sincere and friendly, not pushy and commercial. 

Are there ways of networking online that have worked very successfully for you?

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

June 1st, 2007

Networking for Your Home Business - in Person

Networking, or touching bases with other people, helps promote your home business.  You can do this online, either through e-mail or visiting other blogs and leaving comments.  Or you may have opportunities to meet other people in person.  Also, postal mail still is a useful way.

Today I’ll discuss meeting others the traditional way…in person.

*Keep attuned during conversations with others.  Do they have information that will help you?  Would they be interested in something you’re doing?  Would they pass the word along about your business in a casual way.

*See about joining your chamber of commerce organization, if your there is one.  They usually have monthly get-togethers at different businesses, organize or participate in fund raising events, invite guest speakers to their meetings.

*Become involved in community activities, if you have time.  Be selective and don’t become so busy you don’t have time for your business.  Also, choose activities related to your business.

*Offer to be a guest speaker for other organizations.

*As you become active in your local area, you may have opportunities to network further afield.

*Read Bob Berg’s book, Endless Referrals.  I’ve also listened to his tape series on this topic.  He has some great ideas on networking.

I’d enjoy having you share with us how you network and the resources you’ve found useful.

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By Mary Emma -- 0 comments