I recently self-published my second book, “Networking A Successful Small Business”, amidst the confusion and uncertainty of COVID19 lockdown. It might seem like a peculiar time in which to launch a book about networking with the current restrictions in place. However having run various networking groups and events since 2009, I know that without my network I wouldn’t have got through the past few months.
So we can’t meet up in our usual networking circles, or for coffee etc, but there are other ways in which to network to bridge the gap until we can see each other face to face.
5 Ways To Continue Business Networking During Coronavirus
Here are 5 ways to help you to continue to network:
Most networking groups will have a private Facebook Group. These are great for helping you to keep building relationships and connections outside of the group meetings.
We keep Lemur Linkup private which means posts don’t show up on your main Facebook feed, keeping it a safe haven to talk about your ideas and worries. And given the current circumstances, this setting is really useful as there are some things you just don’t want to share with your friends, family and potential customer base.
Zoom
I co-run Lemur Linkup, a networking group, based in Poole, Dorset. We have moved our monthly meetings onto Zoom. It’s free to use for 40 minutes and you can set up a waiting room so no-one can enter if you don’t know them or they haven’t signed up prior.
Twitter Chats
Twitter Chats or sometimes called Hashtag Hours, are an excellent way to network with a multitude of people within your genre, local/regional or the wider small business community. For me, it’s #DorsetHour, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Monday evenings.
A Twitter chat is basically a fast-paced, interactive conversation between multiple people using the same hashtag # at the same time. For that hour you are encouraged to follow the hashtag, tweet replies and comments using the hashtag and network with new and old faces.
A couple of my favourites and supportive chats are #elevenseshour (weekdays, 11am-12pm) and #celebsforsmallbiz (Fridays, 9pm-10pm).
Accountability
I’m part of an accountability group. We still chat weekly and for these ladies, I am super grateful. I’d never have completed my second book, “Networking A Successful Small Business”) without them.
Making yourself accountable to others really helps you get through your to-do list. When you tell someone else you will do x,y,z the people-pleaser in us doesn’t want to turn up without completing the tasks.
Start an accountability list with your networking group or even just one person you trust (not a family member). Have a check in time and make sure you go back and shout about what you got done.
Pick Up The Phone
Most of us will use our phones to do the vast majority of our business, even more so during lockdown, when you are snatching a couple of minutes here and there between homeschooling rather than having 5 solid hours to work.
Call someone; speak to a real person. This interaction will increase your happy hormones far more than an online one.
So whilst we can’t meet up face to face with our networking group, we should still be ensuring that on a daily basis we keep utilising, building and developing our connections.
For more tips and advice on networking for your small business, check out Joanne’s new book, “Networking A Successful Small Business” which can be purchased via Amazon.
Bio
Joanne Dewberry, Author, Sage Business Expert and multi award-winning, 30-something-coffee-lover, lives in rural Dorset with her long-suffering partner and three children. When she isn’t writing or networking she is partial to a bag of crisps and a crime drama.
