Working from home can sometimes feel a bit lonely, so networking is the ideal way to connect with business people in your locality. If you’re juggling your busy family life with work commitments, networking offers an opportunity to reach out to a wider community and give you a sense of place. It’s easy to pick and choose the networking sessions that suit you, as generally there are sessions running throughout the day and early evening. Whichever type of event you choose, it is important you make the most of the chance to connect with people.

Business Communications Communication in business is paramount and regular networking makes it easy to connect with your target audience.  Just as its name suggests, networking is all about making connections and creating a network of people, be it business partners or clients, who are useful to you in your working life.  As a mumpreneur, networking offers you the chance to socialise whilst growing your business. It presents you with the chance to meet and chat to other adults in a child-free environment, sharing stories and ideas with like-minded people, and making valuable connections in the business community.

First Approaches Don’t be disappointed if you don’t seem to make lots of connections during your first couple of visits. This is not unusual and should not deter you from attending. You may see the same attendees that have been present at earlier sessions and if you didn’t have the opportunity to talk to them earlier, try to reach out to them by engaging in general conversation. You’ll soon have the opportunity to discuss business, as your conversation continues.

Safety In Numbers Attending a networking meeting with another person is great if you feel nervous but once you’ve entered the room, don’t stick together like glue! Ensure that you split up and individually mingle with the other guests in the room. Then, if one of you engages an attendee in conversation, the other may be able to join the conversation later. Also, if you see two people at the same event that you know already and it would be beneficial for them to be introduced, then do so. In this way, connections are made beyond the usual friendship groups or business disciplines. Other members of the networking group will appreciate such etiquette and will hopefully do the same for you if the opportunity arises.

Forging the Link Once you’ve made a connection and obtained a business card or email address, make sure you cement the connection by following it up. If you use online business networking, such as LinkedIn, it may be possible to link with them via this medium also, which will further ease communication and strengthen your business relationship. As a mumpreneur, don’t be shy. Have the confidence in yourself to go out there and network. You never know what the next networking session has in store. Reach out today and grasp the opportunity with both hands.

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.