If you haven’t heard of Joanne Dewberry, then quite frankly WHERE have you been for the past couple of years??? She’s Dorset Business Mum of the Year and one of those enviable people who seems to be able to turn her hand to anything – currently running about 50 businesses! Ok, well that might be a slight exaggeration, but Joanne is very successful with her varying enterprises and her determination and enthusiasm are really inspirational. Joanne is very kindly guesting for us this week, sharing her wisdom surrounding On and Offline Networking. Over to Joanne:

Follow Joanne's journey at www.joannedewberry.co.uk

“Networking is vital for small businesses. It’s a free and fun way to promote yourself. And, in this technical world, it exists in different flavours and for all kinds of people – even the shy! When I first started my business, I felt intimidated and too inexperienced to go to networking events. I was, and still am, a full-time mum to Charlie (3 years old) and Megan (2 years old). Time is of the essence, and sometimes networking just isn’t an option for mums. Like breakfast meetings. Who wants to babysit at 7am?!

Social networking

So I joined the world of social networking, and this really worked to increase my knowledge and my confidence. But it’s no good just joining Facebook and having a Fan Page. You need to update it every day and interact with your customers. This in itself can be time consuming and you can get easily sidetracked. So give yourself a limit that you’ll only spend, say, 15 minutes working on it.

Twitter‘s another great resource, as long as you’re following the right people. You don’t have to follow everyone who follows you – it’s not the quantity of followers, more the quality. So, if you’re using Twitter to increase your PR profile then make sure you’re following the magazines, websites and newspapers relevant to your business. And when you’re using Twitter don’t just tell people about your business, interact with your followers and the people you follow, take an interest in what they’re doing.

Business networking

Working from home can be a lonely experience, and social networking is great, but, for me, there’s nothing like a bit of personal interaction to get your creative juices flowing and your motivation sky high. Join groups of other like minded people to ease you in. As your confidence grows, you’ll soon be able to broaden you networking circles.

So, if you’re a mum in business, find your local group of networking mums, and if there isn’t one then why not post on your local Netmums notice board, asking if any business mums want to meet up? Then meet somewhere safe and busy, like a play centre.  This is how Laura (www.rentabuggy.co.uk) and I started Networking Mummies (Dorset). We put a notice out on Facebook and on Netmums and we had 8 women attend, 6 of whom are still heavily involved in Networking Mummies.

One of Joanne's successful networking events - Photo Credit McClure Photography

Being part of Networking Mummies has given me the confidence to talk about my business in front of other professionals. This time last year, I was still very much of the opinion that I was a full time mum, end of. Now I know that’s simply not true – that I’m an entrepreneur no different to Duncan Bannatyne. I just work around my children.

Do something different!

If you find conventional networking opportunities don’t really work for you then try something different. With Networking Mummies we run Speed Networking Events which are a great way for you to meet new businesses that you wouldn’t normally work with or probably even speak to. And sometimes the most unusual alliances work the best!”

Thanks so much to Joanne for her post this week. She’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved if you believe in yourself and keep forging forward. I think most of us mistakenly thing that raising our profile will cost thousands and require a team of several employees to make it work – not true. Of course it takes time and I’m sure there are knockbacks here and there, but we all have to remember to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and carry on. And to inspire you even further, here is a little roll-call of Joanne’s achievements over the past couple of years: Highly Commended PR Comp mumsclub.co.uk 2009 | Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs 2009 | TGF Best Rated Awards 2009 | Langtry Manor Best Green Business Finalist 2010 | Nominated MADS Blog Awards 2010 | Short Listed Make your Mark in the Markets 2010 | Short Listed mumsandworking Awards Best Parents 2010

Phew – time for lunch I think!
 

Follow DaisychainBaby on Facebook and Twitter. If you want to guestpost for us, email linsATdaisychainbabyDOTcoDOTuk.