If you, like me, have been networking for a few years, you’ve probably noticed that things often tend to go a little bit quiet in the summer.
It’s understandable – the kids are off school, the sun is calling your name, and you’re looking forward to jetting off somewhere exotic. Getting the work-life balance right is important. However, there are still plenty of reasons to keep networking over the summer, and it’s easier than ever to do it online.
1.
It’s an investment in the future of your business
You’ve probably heard business experts say it again and again: start working now to reach the goals you want to achieve in six months’ time. Networking is all about making connections and finding leads. If you stop networking over the summer, the leads you miss out on are clients you won’t have in the autumn. Getting behind now means it will take longer to get going again in September, when you’re back in work mode.
2.
Lots of businesses have special offers on over the summer
Lots of businesses find that they are negatively impacted by the quieter summer months. In response, many of them now put on special offers over the summer, and you can get some brilliant deals on all sorts of products and services. Make sure you make a note of any offers that interest you and get in touch with those business owners after the meeting. They’ll appreciate your support, and you’ll get a good deal – it’s a win-win situation!
3.
Empty meetings are frustrating for your fellow members
I know how frustrating it can be when you’ve made the effort to attend a networking meeting over the summer and other people haven’t. Of course, quiet meetings can still be productive and fun but, especially if you’re presenting, it’s disheartening when other people don’t show up. Regularly missing meetings can also reflect negatively on you and your business. People don’t want to work with people who are flaky, and it’s hard to establish a rapport with someone who’s never there!
4.
Make contacts to outsource your overflow and free up your time
I haven’t forgotten the stresses of trying to run a business over the summer when my own girls were small! They’re both adults now and are probably relieved that I don’t have time to be too overbearing, but I still remember trying to take calls and meet deadlines, while keeping them entertained. If you hate spending the day inside working on admin, bookkeeping or other sides of your business that you don’t enjoy, networking over the summer can help you to connect with reliable people to outsource to. Working with VAs, accountants, social media account managers and plenty of other business people is the best way to free up time to spend with your family, without getting behind with work.
5.
Get the kids involved!
If all else fails, get the kids involved! At ScreenPop, our informal online networking style means that it’s pretty normal to see children popping up on screen. Our members love meeting the little ones, and it’s a great way to show people the motivations behind your business. I’ve even occasionally seen people’s children reading out their parents’ pitches – it certainly made them memorable!
Ultimately, I think that watching your parents run a business during the holidays can be a brilliant educational tool. My girls used to play ‘office’ while I worked, and both of them loved starting their own ‘businesses’ as children. I used to feel guilty that I wasn’t giving them my full attention all day, every day, but I think that all of the business knowledge they acquired by osmosis has been invaluable to them as adults. My eldest started her own business fresh out of university, so it can’t have been all bad!
