More Than WE Know

  When I ask Women Entrepreneurs about the business activity they least enjoy, I get a consistent answer, “marketing”.  And when I ask the method that they are currently employing, the most frequent response is “networking’.  It seems strange to me that so many women, who have a reputation for being sociable beings, would find networking so challenging.

The reasons they give me are:

• it feels uncomfortable
• it’s time consuming
• it doesn’t pay off

In this part 1 of a 3 part series, I am going to ask you to take a new look at the way you are networking. I’m convinced that if you employ these strategies, networking will become one of your favorite, and most productive methods of marketing your business.

The most frequent objection is that networking feels uncomfortable. Women Entrepreneurs tell me that they don’t like the forced atmosphere of networking or “working a room”. It feels predatory and unnatural. The rules of the game seem to be, “Get as many business cards as possible in as little time as possible and then pester those people for business. “

I’d like to propose a new game, one that feels more comfortable to women and draws on our natural ability as social beings.  Next time you are at one of those “networking events”, instead of focusing on the quantity of connections you make, focus on the quality.

Who cares if you only speak to one or two people? One or two authentic connections are preferable to a dozen inauthentic, high-pressured and easily forgettable ones. 

So, instead of measuring the success of the evening by the number of cards you collect, measure it instead by the number of laughs you share, the number of stories you hear, and the number of new friends you make. 

Don’t worry about it being a waste of time – how far was that stack of cards going to get you, really?

So, at the very next event, make it a point to talk to one or two people and actually get to know them.  Ask what they do and really listen.  Don’t just wait for an opening to pounce on them with your expertise.  And don’t sell them your services!   Just take a few moments to listen to their concerns, their challenges, and their aspirations. Make the new game seeing how many things you can talk about before you tell them what you do. 

And when they ask what you do? Then tell a story about your day, share a laugh, maybe even suggest stealing an extra dessert. In other words, connect with that person like they’re an interesting human being that you’d like to get to know. They’ll be so relieved that they’ll start to relax. And before you know it, they’ll be ASKING for your card because they will WANT to talk to you more.

But be cautious – you’re cultivating a network, not trying to make a sale. Resist the urge to sell your services directly. Hand them your card, tell them what you do, maybe give an amusing anecdote about your job, or a funny question you always get asked. You want them to remember you when they need you, not hire you on the spot! Be sure to describe your ideal customer. Tell them if they come across anyone like that, you’d be glad to help. 

Congratulations! You’ve just expanded your network - and not just by the one person you spoke with, but by all the people that your new friend knows. As time goes on, they will be looking for opportunities to help you, to send work your way, and to connect with you again. And of course, you’ll be doing the same for them!

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If you would like to spend more time providing your services to clients, and earning money in your business, and less time generating leads (and who wouldn’t??) then consider aligning yourself with HireMyMom.com.

HireMyMom.com was founded by Lesley Spencer Pyle (who calls herself the Chief Executive Mom).  Lesley has been working in the “work at home Mom niche” for over 12 years.

Clients contact HireMyMom.com when they are looking to contract work or projects.  HireMyMom.com sends the requests to their members via email.  Members apply directly with their contact info and resumes.  Once hired, they are paid directly from the client in exchange for services. Member fee to HireMyMom.com is $99 per year or $29 per quarter. 

Clients request services in the following areas: administrative, research, writing, graphic design, editing, accounting, web design, customer service, virtual assisting, coaching, sales, marketing, public relations, bookkeeping, legal, desktop publishing, creative arts, medical billing, ecommerce, strategic planning, database development, payroll, human resources, etc.

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Throughout my business career, I’ve always been slightly embarrassed that naive and romantic were the words that best described me.  My career passion has always been  less about making money and more about making meaning.  I’d like to believe that along the way, I’ve made a little of both.   Even the motivation behind the MoreThanWEKnow blog is to emplower women financially, intellectually and emotionally.

Thank goodness that Guy Kawasaki, a man synonymous with venture capitalism and high technology, has made being naive, romantic and even being a cock-eyed optimist - cool. 

In fact, Guy says that we are more likely to be financially successful if we pursue a business that we believe in and that will make the world a better place than if we simply go after the money.

Watch Guy yourself on YouTube. Then ask yourself whether the business you are pursuing meets one or more of his three criteria.  Does it:

• Increase the quality of life
• Right a wrong
• Prevent the end of something good

What would the world be like if WE all woke up in the morning thinking about how WE are creating change as well as creating success??

The link below gives a list of 100 blogs that are valuable for Women Entrepreneurs to read.

Categories include: Raising Capital, Managing Debt and Risks, Managing Staff, Venture Capitalists, Productivity, Small Business, General Interest, Marketing, Young Entrepreneurs, and StartUps.

It’s too soon to hope that MoreThanWEKnow would make the list - but perhaps WE can be #101!!

In the meantime, I don’t know about you, but it looks like I’ve got a lot of reading to do!!

Those of you who have read my About page know that I love to travel and when I do, I enjoy meeting Women Entrepreneurs. Sometimes these encounters are planned, and other times they occur spontaneously. Either way I always learn a lot.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to live and work in India for about six months. During that time family members would come visit me and we would tour the fascinating country. On one such occasion we went to a beautiful temple in a small village in South India. Like many tourist attractions in India, the temple also attracts local peddlers and beggars. On this particular day, I was tired and hot and focused on making my way through the crowd as best I could, really not distinguishing between those that were asking for handouts and those that were selling their wares.

As one young woman thrust some small purses in my path, I said “no thank you”, kept my head down, avoided eye contact and just kept walking. She said in a calm and confident voice, “Madam, Please, This is my Business.” I stopped in my tracks, lifted my head and took a moment to really look at this woman in front of me. As she had spoken, she had drawn herself up in stature, standing proudly, holding her simple wares. She looked me in the eye and repeated, “I am a businesswoman and this is my business.”

All of a sudden I realized that’s exactly what she was. Sure, she was wearing a simple sari and bare feet rather than a power suit and heels, but she was a businesswoman like any other, targeting her market, making her pitch, and as it turns out - closing the sale.

I bought two of the small purses from her that day - not even bothering to bargain. She was asking 35 cents apiece. I paid her a dollar and it was one of the best sales lessons I ever received.

This woman demonstrated to me the power of self-confidence and persistence. She had the ability to stand out in a crowd and be noticed because she believed in herself and her vision.

Several years later, I still use those purses to hold make-up. I start each morning reminded of the lesson in confident sales techniques, that I purchased for a single dollar.

What image are you projecting to the world? Are you quietly demanding to be treated with respect? To be taken seriously? Do you persist in the face of rejection? How strongly do you believe in the vision you have for yourself and your business? Remember - The world will see you as you see yourself.