how to become a freelance copywriter: NETWORKING
Networking, word of mouth and relationships have been the greatest marketing tools for my business. While I had to have the skill, know-how, tools, etc. in order to actually do any networking, my business was built on and continues to be sustained by this growing, active network and my participation in it.
1. Join a networking group or 5. I was a member of my local BNI chapter back in Northampton, MA where my business was born. You could also join your local chamber but most people find that it isn’t as effective for relationship building as BNI. Another smart choice is to find online, local if possible, groups that support each other. I’m part of a group called Hidden-Tech where jobs are posted, questions are asked and answered, information is shared, relationships grow and people collaborate every single day. You can find groups that directly relate any profession. BNI has been the most supportive of my business, however. I find it to be brilliant in several ways:
- a weekly meeting of a committed group of professionals with open networking, educational information, self-promotion requirements and shenanigans at 7am
- one seat is allowed for each profession – one writer, one graphic designer, one CPA
- you have the chance to tell your group all about your business and educate them about what you do every week
- everyone is there to network and help each other
- your chapter is your marketing team – they learn about you and your business and spread the word on a daily basis
- good chapters pass millions of dollars each year
2. You’ve heard me say it before, but I believe that every situation is a networking opportunity. Without being obnoxious (really), I talk to people about what they do and about what I do all the time. It’s seed planting and you never know where it will lead. Sometimes the rewards are instantaneous…and priceless.
3. Web 2.0, social networking, social bookmarking, blogging. Participate online. The internet was created to share information and to communicate. If you are just focusing on your local clientele, you are missing out on an entire world of opportunity. Participate by
- blogging and sharing information
- reading other blogs
- commenting on other blogs
- responding to comments on your blog
- bookmarking blogs, sites and articles on sites such as Digg, Hugg, Technorati, etc.
- actively networking on sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Squidoo, etc.
- being respectful and unspamlike at all times
Recession? Just say NO.
This post is inspired by my belief that we are all in control of our destinies – that when I wanted a beautiful post and beam office in my backyard, I set my mind to it and was typing away inside its walls 3 weeks later. It is also inspired by Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI (Business Networking International) and a wildly successful business man, who is currently on a campaign (seriously, buttons and all) headlined by this statement: “I refuse to participate in a recession!”
My biggest frustration is that we aren’t actually in a recession, but it’s all that the media wants to discuss. They use their standby fear tactics to create panic in us lay people, and they create a pandemonious cycle of violence. It goes like this:
The Media: Makes the following overblown statements, ‘We are facing a terrible recession. No one will buy anything. Businesses will go bankrupt. Gas will increase to $20/gallon. You won’t even be able to afford rice.’
People: Panic and do what the media says instead of going along just fine with their lives. They believe we are in a recession. They stop buying things. Their businesses suffer. Gas prices do increase. No one goes near rice (why look when it is so expensive).
The Media: Is thrilled that now the things they said were happening are actually happening. So they say them again, times 30.
People: Panic and do more of what the media says. And on and on.
The reality is that if we, the people, just say no to the media and to the recession. If we keep moving along in our lives. If we feel good knowing that our businesses are growing. If we keep spending our money and enjoying life. (If we find an alternative to gasoline). We will be fine. I got three new clients yesterday because I believe in my business, my clients and their businesses. It’s about attitude and living your life. Not the one the media prescribes. It’s about staying positive.
Would you rather do business with someone moaning that times are tough. Or someone who is happy, positive and focusing on a productive future?
Recession? Nope. No recession here. Just blue skies and the sound of fast fingers on a busy keyboard.
Filed under Myth or Reality, The Business | Tags: bad economy, BNI, building your business, business, copywriting, Dr. Ivan Misner, freelance copywriter, law of attraction, Marketing, recession, Writing | Comment (1)
