Making the most of your network when you start your own business
One of the very first things I cover when I work with women who are setting up their own VA businesses is the power of their existing network. It’s easy to underestimate the connections you have when you start your own venture, especially if your business isn’t in the same industry as your previous career.
It’s also easy to miss potential opportunities if you assume that someone isn’t interested in your VA offering based on your past experience with them, or their job title. Word of mouth goes a long way, and getting the news out there is paramount when you first start out.
One of my favourite marketing/networking platforms to use is LinkedIn. It has a bit of an old-school-business reputation but as you’re starting a VA business it makes complete sense to use it! Plus of course you probably already have connections on there from your current and past jobs. Even if you don’t plan on using LinkedIn on a regular basis, it’s a great way to get the word out when you first start up (or when you need a real marketing boost).
Here are a few things I’d suggest doing:
Update your work history
Make sure your work history is up to date. This will help LinkedIn make suggestions about who you might know, which is particularly helpful when connecting with ex-colleagues you’ve lost touch with or names you had seen on an email but never actually met in the office.
Connect with everyone
Even if it’s a vague connection, you won’t lose anything by sending a connection request. People will either accept it or they won’t, and if they do it means one more person will see your posts. And if they like or make a comment on something you post, then their connections will see the post too.
Check your alert settings
When you’re ready to go live with your business, make sure your account is set up to alert your connections about any changes you make to your job title or history. This will send a notification to all your connections which is an easy way of updating people, but make sure you also:
Send direct messages
Send a direct message to all of your connections. And when I say all of your connections, I mean ALL OF THEM. Even if you strongly believe they won’t be interested. Again, you’re not losing anything by sending a short ‘Hi, how are you? I’ve recently started up as a VA so please keep me in mind….’ Etc. Chances are you’ll get a congratulations message back, and you will have planted the seed for your name to pop up whenever someone they know needs a VA.
Make an announcement
Post an announcement about your business going live. I found being visible extremely painful in the beginning, but no one will ever know what you’re doing unless you tell them! And no-one will ever care as much about your business as you will, so try to get over the cringiness and fear of judgement. People will most likely be happy for you and supportive of your new venture too!
Post updates
LinkedIn gives you two options to post content, as an update and as an article. Use the update function to post shorter pieces, such as views on recent articles you’ve read, posts about you and your services etc. Add images and links to help your post stand out, and also include relevant hashtags.
Get visible
Comment on your connections’ posts, even if it’s only a word or two. This way your name will pop up more frequently on news feeds and will generally help to get your name out to a wider audience. 10 mins a day is all you need to get this engagement work done!
