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I just love to head into a room full of people I have never met before! I know that not everybody feels the same way about that kind of situation. It is a skill and one that every entrepreneur must master – the skill of networking!

It really is all about mindset – the way you think about the situation – that makes a huge difference. The good news is that it can be learned because it is a skill and it takes a plan.

Here are some of my favorite success tips when it comes to broadening your network. It has been said that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with……..keep this in mind as you consider where you are going and who you will meet. For women entrepreneurs who want to make more money and grow their business – it is critical that you surround yourself with people who will help you get there.

NETWORK ON LINE

In this day and time of social media, we have tremendous opportunities to ‘meet’ people from around the world. That is one of the major benefits of social media – and there are a few masterful ways that I use this medium.

Prior to attending events out of town, I will post a note on either Facebook or Twitter to find out who else may be attending the particular event. I begin a dialogue with them so that, by the time we get to an out-of-town event, we feel as though we already know each other. I also tell people how they can easily ‘spot’ me at an event as I am always wearing a red suit jacket – that’s my brand.

Attending events locally can be so much more enjoyable when you have connected with people on social media – LinkedIN is a particularly great resource for this. You can get an idea, in advance, as to who will be there – connect with them on line first – and make a commitment to be at the event and spend a bit of time with each other. Easy-peasy!

Sharing your message is also extremely easy these days with the aid of social media (which, by the way folks, is F.R.E.E.!!!!) – I have a connection with a gal in Australia who regularly hosts podcasts for her ‘peeps’ – last week, she ran into a glitch when a guest to be interviewed was not going to be available – she then connected with me immediately on Twitter – and, long story short, we did the interview via SKYPE last Friday night – my topic “7 Steps to Growing Your Business By Getting Out of Your Own Way!” was totally aligned with her audience. How cool is that?!!! Seriously! She has thousands and thousands of followers and, by way of our on-line business relationship I got to share my message with all of those people ‘down under’ and beyond.

Action step:

1. Ensure you have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN (at a minimum) and begin a dialogue with your ‘ideal’ prospects on line.
2. Develop a ‘signature brand’ so that you ‘stand out in a crowd’, both on line and off. (Hint: when you read my posts on Twitter, you can’t help but ‘see’ me because, quite frankly, the red suit jacket really stands out in the ‘thread’ of posts.

(Photo: me with Kathleen Gage, “The Street Smarts Marketer”)

Kathleen and I had an ‘on line’ business relationship for years and, when we learned that we would both be in San Francisco at the same time last month, made arrangements to finally meet in person! That’s a great way to strengthen a relationship.

NETWORKING LOCALLY

When I am out at a local networking event, I often hear the comment, “Pat, you’re everywhere!” Well, yes, indeed, that’s my goal. When you think of THE expert business coach for women entrepreneurs who struggle to find clients, who have difficulty pricing their products and services (and therefore have a hard time making money!), and whose business has taken over their lives – and who want to change all that – then I want people to think of ME! I’m the one!

That only happens when you get out from behind your computer and go out and speak to people! Do you really believe that your ideal client is going to show up at your door, knock on your door and say – “wow, there you are – I need you and have been looking for you!” If that’s the way you think, then the joke is on you and it’s not funny.

Where and when this becomes a skill is in your planning. Because I am very clear with respect to who my ideal client is, I create a plan for the events that I will attend and for the events where I will accept to be the speaker. This is where many women entrepreneurs fail.

While ‘theoretically’ it appears that I am everywhere, technically I am not. I certainly make it a point to be seen and heard everywhere (networking, media, on line, in YOUR mailbox, etc.) but it is all done strategically. Many of you fail because you ARE everywhere………everywhere your ideal clients are NOT.

Action Step:

1. Identify your ideal prospect/client.
2. Find out where they hang out.
3. Go there! (and talk to people – do not hang around with people you already know!)
4. And listen! (it’s not all about YOU – it’s about their pain and the solution you provide)

For any women entrepreneur who is serious about growing her business and making more money, you must master the skill of networking! The beautiful thing about this is that it is a fairly easy skill to master – so, get started – today!

Identify your ideal prospect and get to a networking event this week so you can meet some new people. I’d love to hear about the experience – please share your thoughts!