Networking opens doors...

It's no secret. When the suggestion of networking was first put to me 13 years ago, I turned it down. Flat.

I was all right on my own in my brand new proofreading business.

But that's just it.

I was on my own.

I needed to build up a business buddy network for collaborations, friendships, relationships and - yes! - opportunities and referrals.

My first networking referral was from a Maidenhead Athena meeting to a potential client in Manchester, some 188 miles away. This client provided me with several projects and then testimonials and well... The rest is history.

Move on all those business years, and networking has now evolved effectively to online.

I was at an Athena Network online event on Monday to celebrate International Women's Day. Over 250 women from all over the world registered for this unique worldwide 2.5 hour event. I met and connected with women from Singapore, Sydney, Bristol and London. The vibe in the room was fabulous! After the event, LinkedIn was "on fire" with excited & enthusiastic feedback about the event, and with women connecting, following up and seeking to collaborate.

I shared Wani Olatunde's photo & post which summed the event up perfectly. She was inspired by the celebratory stories which unfolded, together with the learning. Like me, she had met and networked with many warm, inspirational and like-minded women from the UK and across the world.

This reminds me of the moment all those years ago when the penny dropped for me about networking.

I made up my mind to commit to networking, to nurture it and to let it work its magic.

Networking opens doors.

I made a mental note to SAY YES to every opportunity networking presented which was consistent with my business goals.

I am now leading inspirational and motivating Athena Network online referral groups in Maidenhead, White Waltham, Marlow, Abingdon & Wallingford & this is the message I give to all my members...

...Networking brings referrals. It also brings customers/clients, strategic alliances, friendships, support, kindness, personal growth, business growth, collaboration and community

And laughter. Loads of laughter.

It even brought me my first-ever Podcast interview. I was invited to talk to Henriette Danel about - you guessed it! - "Why you should do networking". (Have a listen and/or watch and let me know what you think.)

But what are the secrets?

Find a group which works for you. One that chimes with your vibe. One that's full of the kind of people who make your heart sing.

Just SAY YES to networking and be open to the opportunities and experiences networking brings.

So there I was all those years ago thinking I was "all right on my own".

Once I opened the networking door, I was opening my business and my mind to experiences I would not have missed for all the world.

Are you ready to give it a try?

If you would like to know more about my Athena Network groups in SW Oxfordshire or Maidenhead & Marlow please feel free to get in touch.

If you are based elsewhere, and you would like to know more about The Athena Network in general, I am more than happy to connect/chat with you in the first instance, and refer you to one of my colleagues.

This LinkedIn Newsletter will be published monthly. It will highlight tips & techniques to help with your business networking. It may also feature & highlight stories from some business owners and professionals who are novice or experienced networkers.

Please tag / share this newsletter with friends and colleagues who would just love to know more about elevating their businesses through the power & of networking.