Dear Gritty VA:
I’m just getting started as a VA, and I’d like to develop some solid sources for online networking. Any suggestions? –TO
This is a trick answer because it’s going to require more thought, research and work than you probably expected, LOL.
In order to figure out where to best spend your business time networking online, you first need to know who you’re looking to work with. Who is your target market? What professional associations do they belong to? What publications do they read? Do they have business groups they attend and functions they attend? Where do they hang out online and off?
Research these things and you’ll begin to find all kinds of avenues in which to network with your potential client market.
Keep in mind that as a solopreneur, you want to invest your efforts in those that yield the highest, most effective returns. If you try networking in generalized networking pools (e.g., LinkedIn, Ryze, etc.), it can be like throwing a pebble into a vast ocean. Hardly anyone pays attention to the ripple.
When you "target" your efforts in a smaller pool, but one that is filled with a larger number of your intended market, your potential opportunities are vastly increased. You begin to understand their business better and speak their language. By getting to know your target market, you can better identify their needs and create solutions for them.
So the more narrowed and specialized the focus of the networking platform is (i.e., geared toward your target market), the better it will be for you as a source of potential business. Once you find those targeted networking avenues, PARTICIPATE. People do business with and send referrals to those they’ve come to know, like and trust. That won’t happen unless you get in the game and put yourself out there.
One other little tip–go in with the intent of making friends, not business. You will quickly find yourself ignored if you start trying to "sell" yourself and your services right off the bat (no one likes being sold to). But contribute to conversations, let folks get to know you and your thoughts and ideas, offer your own advise and suggestions when the opportunity presents itself, and people will be much more interested in what you do (and sending business your way).
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to...
