The power of online communities
By
Building an online community can make you smile!
When I first started out working for myself, I was full of good intentions about getting out and about, and doing things. I joined BNI, and a host of other networking events which involved getting out of bed in the middle of the night, pulling a suit on and discussing my business with people at ungodly hours of the morning.
I had limited success. I did, however, make some fantastic friends, whom I am still in close contact with to this day. I quickly got burned out with networking overall, and rued spending the astronomical joining fees and being tied in to the structure. I dropped out.
My work since then has come from two places: word of mouth, and online communities. As a writer, I spend sometimes over twelve hours a day glued to my PC, and Skype is almost always on. When I started working from home I was terrified that I would become some mad old lady with the curtains closed, surrounded by barking dogs in my pyjamas. I am surrounded by dogs, but I make sure to get out of bed at the same time as my husband, so I’m fully dressed by eight, and ready to kick off the day.
Beating sole trader loneliness
The strangest thing about working from home is how companionable it is. I have never once been lonely, because I tend to have ongoing conversations with other home workers that bring as much joy and friendship as my corporate work used to, if not more.
Most of my networking now consists of turning up to random events when there is free wine and nibbles, and getting to know people. I no longer feel the need to get out there and show my face on the off-chance I’ll land a lucrative deal. I work with people across the globe, now, writing for them, and I’ve found that once you do a good job for someone, they pass on your details to other people. And so it goes.
Don’t get me wrong, networking face to face is very powerful, and incredibly useful when you first set off on the path to running your own business. However, there is something lovely about knowing that now I have enough customers, I don’t need to buy any more sharp suits and jet off around Yorkshire peddling my wares.
The new face of networking
I value my online community as much as I do my other contacts, in the ‘real’ world. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing Skype signalling a new message, because it means that someone out there, also sat in their living room possibly surrounded by dogs, wants to connect.
I leased some office space when I first set out, and soon realised that I’d rather be at home when it comes down to it, having daytime TV blaring out in the background, and drinking good coffee. I have sold my car, because I know that I don’t need to go anywhere that can’t be reached by public transport or by borrowing my husband’s. If I have a meeting to go to, I’ll normally ask that we congregate at my new office…Starbucks, just down the road from me!
A word of warning against networking
My advice to new business owners is to select their networking wisely. Don’t join groups that demand upwards of £600 for the privilege of going along. If you are good at what you do, you will get work. Develop a strong online brand, and cherry-pick your face to face networking events carefully. Write press articles, have a strong product, deliver outstanding and responsive customer service, and your business will flourish.
JenS, your post is proof that social media and social networking are here to stay. They are not temporary fads. I fully expect them to continue to evolve from their humble beginnings – hardly anyone even remembers MySpace – to levels of sophistication we only know the limits of. Marhsall McLuhan’s ‘Extension of Man’ comes to mind. Like all technologies that empower humanity to achieve its dreams – the wheel, print/books, movies, wings, the internet (to name a few) – social media and online communities are now part and parcel of the culture. In a few years it will be as different from today, as today’s airliners are different from the Wright Brothers’ flying machines.
Beat Schindler´s last blog ..Personal Growth The Easy Way: Focus On Your Strengths
Hi,
I think you’re right. Twenty years ago no-one could have imagined that we’d be able to work from home and still retain a sense of community. I’m very glad we can!
Thank you for posting
Jen
Hi Jen and Beat,
What remains the most surprising aspect of spending so much time on-line is the ease with which community gets developed. When you only have 140 characters to get your point across, being nice and receptive to others goes a long way. None of that useless “interview” to get to know you that we go through at interviewing events. Being on line is so much more fun, efficient and really effective
Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny´s last blog ..How to Stay Young – Have a Good Laugh and a Long Sleep
I never thought of that – you’re right. It’s as if people stop using fluff and get to the point! It’s a lot easier, I think, to develop online relationships. I think it may be because people are automatically less self-conscious through the web than they are face to face, maybe?
Group hugs and love all around!
Thanks for your comment Cheryl!
This is great stuff and I couldn’t agree more. I think good work speaks for itself and Networking is better done as actual networking as opposed to paying a fee to be part of something, that sounds more like belonging to a club, usually comprised of the same people who are looking for an easy way to do it or for someone to do it.
I work at home as well and I’ve never been bored, that’s for sure
Mitch´s last blog ..Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Shane Mosley 5/1/10: Mitch’s Free Preview, Analysis, and Pick
Hi Mitch,
It’s true – stressed, yes. Bored…never! I’m still blown away by the power of the communities we can build and the amazing things that can happen as a result of online networking!
Jen
Totally agree Jen! I’ve been working from home for years now, and I’ve got friends all over the globe, and hire people from all over as well. I love my online communities!
Michelle Vandepas´s last blog ..Heal Pain Naturally and Stop Your Chronic Pain
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for commenting. It’s true – working from home offers great potential for networking…without paying a hefty fee for the privilege!
Jen
What I like is you don’t have to put up with the office gossip. It is wonderful hearing from people all over the globe.
I have to admit thought I do have to get out on the freeway once in a while, just to keep in practice. But I enjoy those drives now since I don’t do them daily.
I am working on the selection of my networking, but I think I do need a little tune-up on it. I’ll get there.
thanks Jen,
Debbie
Debbie @ Happy Maker´s last blog ..Secret to happiness is Feeling Fearless in Your Clothing
Hey Debbie,
I agree – I forgot about the gossip, but now you mention it, it was a large negative part of my corporate world. It’s lovely not having to put up a facade – if we run our won businesses, we are what we are, and people know to take us just like that!
Jen x
Jen,
I remember the days when you used to love a good gossip over a beer!
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Am I alone in thinking these are odd…
That doesn’t change, just because I’ve got an online community!
I love to work but medical practice is a bit different from the corporate world. I did an analysis with a fellow named. T.F.Napier who owns a biz called Change Works. My areas of stress in the analysis were all networking and biz building activities. Reading this made me realize I put too much stress on myself without really getting much done in that area. I appreciate hearing about your and your readers experiences. Like many here, I will be making the leap to working from home and feel more confident after reading about your experience.
Bruce “the Mid-Life Mentor”´s last blog ..Why some People will Always be Fat
Hi Bruce,
I think it’s really nerve-wracking when you make the jump to working from home, after the bustle of the corporate world. However, it is so rewarding, and so fantastic, I think you’ll be completely fine! No one can underestimate the sheer liberation of attending a meeting…in your pyjamas!
With best wishes,
Jen
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michelle Vandepas, Corinne Edwards, Bruce L Bair, Bruce L Bair, Debbie (Koenig)Bills and others. Debbie (Koenig)Bills said: RT @Jen_Syrk The power of online communities http://bit.ly/bn7IxN this good [...]
Hi Jen:
Great article — I am not a work from home person, but I have often wondered how I would do working from home. I fear I’d do everything but work. You seem to have a great system that works for you. I envy it!
Networking is so critical in all aspects of business. Isn’t it so nice to have a choice of how you want to network, either in person, or online? I think your most true comment is about how doing something well, doing good work, creates its own network for you. I truly believe that!
Best of luck with your career!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your kind words! I think it’s great that we now have a choice of networking platforms…although this just makes it easier for me to be lazy and choose the online option!
I enjoy working from home. No traffic jam. No office politics and most important of all, FREEDOM!!!!!
Raymond Chua´s last blog ..The Science of Getting Rich
Successful face-to-face networking is an art.
Most people, in my experience, who attend these networking sessions, tend to be there for themselves and try and win business. I can understand that but they try too hard.
Their boring business cards are thrust in your face, with a smile and a comment like, “I’m Ted and I clean carpets. I bet your carpets could do with a clean, couldn’t they?”
You are better off, meeting just one or two people and trying to connect with them through asking them questions and listening.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Am I alone in thinking these are odd…
Sorry…me again. I forgot to mention…”jet off around Yorkshire” made me laugh!
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Am I alone in thinking these are odd…
Yorkshire is a jolly big county, at 5 in the morning
Hi Jen,
Nice to meet you and this is one good post!
I have always been believing the power of being “social” or should I say as being part of social networks and the social media as a whole because it brings along lifetime relationships that sometimes you don’t ever have expected.
I remember getting to know a few people and building friendships with them, and it’s good to know there are lots of Aussie internet marketers out there whom I just get in touch through the Internet – well, even if we’re that close in the neighborhood, the world get so busy! And I can say, I won’t meet them without these online communities.
That makes me smile often as well.
Thanks Jen,
Tyrone
Tyrone´s last blog ..Vera Raposo from Small Business Branding interviews Tyrone Shum
Hi Tyrone,
Nice to ‘meet’ you too! Thanks for posting a comment. I agree – we’re lucky to be able to build up such great online relationships and be virtual socialites!
Jen,
I had no idea you were part of our DoFollow CommentLuv KeywordLuv community. I’ll have to take Andrew to task for not letting me know so I could add your links to the community list.
I have never paid to join ANY community anywhere. There ARE some that are worth paying for but it isn’t really necessary especially when you are just getting started.
That is one of the most wonderful benefits of Word of Mouth – if we are all generous about sharing who we sincerely recommend whenever we can the very best will rise to the top without buying advertising or having to charge far more to cover overhead.
Do let me know who else is part of our community. Everyone is welcome to drop links to blogs that qualify in the KeywordLuv post so I can get them included.
Gail @ Support Small Business´s last blog ..Freelancers: How to Get More Freelance Work
Hi Gail,
Lovely to see you on Stilus, and great to get your comment – you’re right – Word of mouth is the best way of getting business, and it’s people like you who make that possible. Thank you so much for your help! Don’t take Andrew to task – I plague him almost every day to help me out, so it’s not surprising he didn’t let you know!
Jen
Hi Jen,
As it turns out he says he DID let me know – he just wasn’t specific enough for me to know he had already installed KeywordLuv and CommentLuv on your blog too.
Gail @ Support Small Business´s last blog ..Social Media Marketing Monday – SMM Overview
There you go! He’s a star
Great tips Jen! the firs thing people ask me after I tell them I work from home is “don’t you get lonely”? I can honestly say no, I’ve never felt light that. Perhaps I’m too busy, or my cat keeps me company, but I think you’re right in that it’s the online community I deal with each and every day that gives me no chance to feel lonely. Thanks for reminding me of that!
Joel @ Blog Solutions´s last blog ..10 Plugins To Harden WordPress
You’re right – if anything, we don’t get enough time to do our jobs! What a lovely thing to complain about
Thanks for posting, Joel. Two glasses of wine to the wind now – time to sign off for the evening!
Jen
Jenn,
Online communities are just a reality and it’s how you can grow your business!
Thanks for this great reminder!
Krizia
Eat Smart Age Smart ´s last blog ..Motivation to lose weight tips for success
Thanks Krizia!
I love online communities. I think it is the same as in off-line, if you don’t pick your groups wisely it will be lost time. When it comes to business, I get most of my work electronically. It is possible to target a much wider audience, while remaining personal.
Tom´s last blog ..How Blind People Identify Color
I agree Tom – when Ii first started out, I didn’t discriminate and spent time…everywhere online! Now I know it makes sense to spend your time carefully, just as you would with ‘real’ networking…
Enjoyed your post Jen! Before blogging, I ran my ecommerce stores for several years without community involvement. I must say I’ve been much happier and had a lot more fun since using Facebook and Twitter to connect with other Internet marketers. I also love connecting with other bloggers. 5 years into working online, I suddenly discovered other people who have the same interest – of course they were there the whole time and I just needed to reach out.
Keller Hawthorne´s last blog ..The Greatest SEO Myths of Our Century Exposed – Part 2
Hi Keller. It’s so good that you finally found people with the same interests as you online. This is only starting to happen for me these past couple of weeks – I’m learning so much more, and feel really inspired and fired up for the first time in weeks!
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
Having been an employee for the past 33 years you sometimes forget the advantage of always having a community around you. But, unfortunately, you have little choice or control over who is in that community. Whilst it must be hard work at times building a community online, you can at least control it and make it work for you.
David Rogers @ self confidence´s last blog ..Time for Change
Hi David – thank you for your comment. There’s a lot of positive aspects of having ‘real’ colleagues, too!
Hi Jen,
This serves as a great reminder… I tend to be very lazy/forgetful when it comes to networking online.
Marketing on or off the web is not yet my ’strong suit’ (I gave BNI a trial run as well with no noticeable results).
Oh well. Nothing else to do but get back to it.
keep smiling,
Ben
Benjamin@Meditation Techniques´s last blog ..Daily Meditation – Automaticity (4-29-10)
Hi Ben,
Thank you for your post – I think a few people out there have been burned by expensive networking when they first set out. The best thing about BNI for me was making some fantastic friends!
Jen
Sorry for the weird post from me, but I wanted to drop a note and say I like your style!
Jen, it’s so great to see someone who’s been successful at online community. I am trying….need to continue. Slow but steady seems to be my pace.
Amy LeForge´s last blog ..Anger Issues
Hi Amy,
Nice to hear from you – these things take time but it comes together bit by bit!
Jen
Do you think blogging just has to be about writing? Reason I ask is I want to start a photography blog, but I feel I am better at expressing myself with photos rather than write. Should I even start it? With your experience could it work, more pictures, less words?
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
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When you began working from home, you likely jumped at the chance to be your own boss, set your own hours, and work in your pajamas if you felt like it. But you probably didn’t rush to sign up for the isolation and loneliness that a person working from home often experiences. I often experience this too. But the fact that I am where my family resides, give me enough contentment and happiness that I’m with them every hour thus a very good reason to erase my loneliness and the feeling of isolation.