Most home business owners network, but they don't usually do home business networking in person. Usually they prefer to network online. This is where their target market is found, so that's where they go to find them.
Home business networking online is easy if you know where to go and how to do it. There are a lot of sites to choose from that are a good fit for home business networking, but you should only choose as many as you can handle. Spending 30-45 minutes a day is ideal to grow your home business through online networking at these sites.
Here are a few places you can do home business networking at and a few tips to help you use them successfully.
1. Twitter
Twitter is one of the best sites to use for home business networking. You'll need to set up an account and put a brief bio on the site for others to see. You can have a background created specifically for you so you can list your sites and more information.
The best types of posts you can make on Twitter, with regards to home business networking, would be tips, suggestions, and recommendations, related to your specific niche market. You can make posts advertising your home business, but you also need to post about your networking followers or to at least help them.
2. Facebook
Facebook was used for families and friends to stay in touch, but it can also be used to grow your home business as well. This is another great networking site due to the fan pages and groups you can join or create for your home business. Make sure you add a brief bio and list your home business sites and blogs for your networking friends to read.
Find people that are within your target market and you'll also want to find experts in the same field as you. Visit their pages regularly and post often whenever they make posts. Post tips, tricks, and suggestions on your own page that will help your target market.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is another site you can use for home business networking. This site is a resume type site, but you can still list your business. You should list your experience with your business, a brief summary of your home business, you should have people recommend you, and you recommend others.
You can set your blog to post on your LinkedIn page, you can add Twitter posts to your page, and you can make posts right to your page. These networking posts should be helpful to your target market.
4. YouTube
YouTube is not only for music and videos. You should create home business networking related videos and post them to YouTube once you set up a channel. Market this channel through social networking sites, your website, and your blog.
You should also join your target markets channels and comment on their videos. Posting their videos or links to their channel on your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages isn't a bad idea and may help your home business at the same time.
Social networking is an important part of your business. It's the best and least expensive way to show others you're an expert in your field and that you're up to date with the latest trends in home business networking. You should use online home business networking tools whenever possible.
It is quite simple to build a home business network, but it's not for the bashful. It requires telling the world about the business. There are many different way to accomplish this, such as word of mouth advertising, and network meetings. With a little practice it is possible to create a network with exponential growing capabilities.
Timidity and bashfulness are not conducive to a home business network. Let's take the boisterous and noisy chicken as an example. A hen lays just one measly egg a day, and every time she lays one, she sets up a great cackling to let the whole world know what she has just accomplished.
Codfish lay hundreds of eggs a day in the silence of the deep and not a single customer is clamoring for one codfish egg. Yet chicken eggs sell by the dozen. This example is somewhat preposterous, but it proves a point. It pays to advertise.
Advertising need not be expensive. Free business card offers abound on the internet. Choose cards that are attractive and eye catching. Always distribute business cards by twos to achieve an exponential effect. It's common knowledge that every person that is encountered is a potential client.
What is less commonly known is that every person they encounter is also a potential client, once they are armed with two business cards. Even if the potential client does not seem interested distribute two business cards and ask for a referral. This spreads knowledge of the business further than personal contacts.
A wonderful example of building a home business network utilizes the local Chamber of Commerce. Becoming a member not only increases business exposure, it links the business to a multitude of other local businesses, both large and small. Permission to hold monthly or quarterly network meetings in the Chamber office can be easily arranged and invitations sent to all or select member businesses.
At these meetings each attendee can be given a brief opportunity to state their business and purpose. Simple props or memorable spoofs can quickly establish connections for referrals. After the meeting "rubbing elbows," and distributing business cards two at a time, will increase the expansion of your network.
A home business network is essential to business success and easily attainable. Getting the word out is the key to almost any home business endeavor. In contradictory terms the more chicken you are the better.
posted by Chris Simpson
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Wednesday, February 18th 2009
When you own a home business, networking is something that you need to learn how to do. Both online and offline networking will help you spread the news about your business. In turn, other people might tell their friends about your business and you might just meet other people who can help your business grow.
You never know who is going to be interested in your business and helping you make it a success. Networking is something that any online entrepreneur can learn and by simply keeping a few things in mind, you will be on your way to mastering it.
The first thing that you should think about when you want to network is how you best communicate. Are you someone who makes a great impression in person, or are you someone who loves chatting on the phone? Impressions are everything in this business and you only get one chance to make a first one!
When networking online, those who are natural speakers might not get a chance to wow an audience with their speaking abilities so they need to brush up on their writing skills. Likewise, if natural writers have an opportunity to go into their local communities to promote their business, practicing what they will say will help alleviate any fears they might have.
Another important thing that you need to consider when you are networking is who you network with. It is a lot more complex than just stopping everyone you pass on the street. You may be very excited about your business opportunity and feel as though everyone can benefit, but you will get much better results if you narrow who you speak with.
Who is most likely to be interested in what you have to offer and where do they congregate? Can you find your audience using social media or in online forums or should you head to your local Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting to network with other local business people?
Be professional and courteous. It should go without saying but being polite and considerate goes a long way when you are running your home business. You never know who talks to whom and you never know when being nice is going to work in your favor.
Be as kind as you can, and whenever someone asks for a service that you can't provide, take some time to direct them towards someone who can provide it. They will thank you and remember you for your consideration.
Also remember that you have to take on the burden of communication. Never assume that they will call you back. If you have reason to believe that they need to hear from you, give them a ring. Part of good networking is keeping up connections once they have been made, so keep your ties solid.
When you want to build up your home business, remember that networking is key. Not only will you spread the word about your business but you will quite possibly find a future business partner. It is also a lot less intimidating that you might think, so get out there, start meeting people, and let them know what you can do for them!
posted by Chris Simpson
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