Networking has built my business

Read time: 2 minutes

Hey ,

After I decided to create my one-person digital marketing agency, I had to figure out how to attract clients.

Like many bootstrapped new businesses, I didn’t have money for paid advertising, and my early efforts at social media posts didn’t get much traction.

So, in early 2021 – in the waning days of Covid-19 isolation – I turned to one of the local chambers of commerce, which happens to run an hour-long networking meeting every Thursday morning.

Zoom made it easier for a while

When I first joined, the meetings were held over Zoom, and in some ways, that made it a little easier to participate by telling others about my business and learning about theirs. Because I was in front of a computer screen, I could read my early versions of a 60-second elevator pitch aloud.

I would also write down people’s names to help me remember them, a habit I still practice at in-person meetings when new people attend.

Did joining the chamber and attending weekly networking meetings get me clients? Not right away, but eventually, yes.

First rule of networking

My number-one rule for networking is showing up. When I'm there week after week, other business people get to know me. Because they know me and because I’m consistent, they trust me.

I now belong to three different chambers of commerce and two other networking groups. I can’t attend everything, but I do my best to get involved and talk with people.

I’m not naturally outgoing, but I am curious about other businesses and how they operate. With a question or two, I can usually get someone talking about their business -- then I don’t have to say much.

Networking isn’t just a way of finding prospective clients. As a solopreneur who works from home, it’s a way to get out of the house and socialize. I enjoy learning, conversation and building relationships, whether or not they result in new business.

Until next time

The next newsletter arrives July 1. Before then, though, Thursday, June 19, is commemorated as Juneteenth, the anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S. The official first day of summer is Friday, June 20, when we’ll have more daylight than any other day during the year. June 26 is National Chocolate Pudding Day, and June 27 is National Sunglasses Day (sounds shady to me).

Until next time, be grateful. Be generous. Be patient. Love.

Thanks for spending some of your time with me, . I appreciate you.

Mark

P.S. - This newsletter was 100 percent created by me, a human.