When you work in an office as part of a team, you get a sense of connection each day as you interact with others and share ideas, jokes or brainstorm work problems.
When you start your own business, things can be a little bit different.
Some people run their business from within another business such as a wellness clinic or studio, and so they experience that much-needed peer interaction.
But what happens when you are flying solo, and operating from home?
We need a way to feel connected and supported in business so that we can find the motivation, energy, confidence and enthusiasm to persist.
On top of that, building professional and personal networks is a wonderful way to meet potential clients and referral partners who can send qualified referrals your way.
Let’s look at the various ways that solo business owners can build networks.
Joining a Health Professional Network
Allied Health professionals often have either formal or informal meetings, social events and/or online groups for the purpose of networking, referring and collaborating.
Their meetings are typically monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.
By reaching out to the Allied Health professionals in your area and catching up for a cup of coffee or brief Zoom introduction, you can quickly find out which ones are ‘your kind of person’ and find out where and how these professionals network in your local area.
If you are a member of the Coaching Success Accelerator, you can find a downloadable, step-by-step process for reaching out to Allied Health Professionals.
- Action step: make a list of 10 practitioners in your local area, relevant to your niche or specialty area of coaching, and phone or email to book a time to chat.
Joining a Local Business Network
Your local Chamber of Commerce is an active business hub where you can meet and rub shoulders with decision-makers in your community.
Their meetings are typically monthly.
Depending on where you live, your local Chamber may be quite active or not so much.
In any case, it’s worth exploring the network to see who is involved and to ask to attend the first meeting as a guest to see if it could be mutually beneficial.
Often, Chambers of Commerce have an active role in community projects, Council grants or industry-level initiatives that may be relevant to you (e.g. health-related).
- Action step: Google search your local Chamber to enquire about meeting dates, opportunities to attend and what is typically discussed.
Joining a Professional Industry Association
Every reputable profession has an industry association that acts as a voice for its members.
Their meetings are typically monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.
Being a member of a professional association can provide opportunities to vote on important issues, but also, it lets your clients know that you work in a serious, credible profession that has a formal self-regulation process and quality standards.
Being featured on the home page of an industry association is another way for people to find you online, positioned in a professional environment.
In Australia and New Zealand, the premier industry body is Health Coaches of Australia and New Zealand Association.
- Action step: Contact HCANZA to enquire about membership.
Joining a Social Networking Group
LinkedIn is a globally-recognised platform for networking with other businesses and potential clients.
It has the advantage of being “more professional” than other social media channels, so may lend credibility and good business positioning.
You may make valuable connections for referral, collaboration or potential clients here.
There are industry-specific groups where you can network with peers in specific areas of health and wellbeing.
This is a great place to go if your niche group is a professional, entrepreneur and/or manager.
Facebook also offers support in the form of industry-specific groups, like the Students of Wellness Coaching Australia group.
- Action step: Jump into LinkedIn, brush up your profile, and explore groups.
- Action step: Join the Students of Wellness Coaching Australia group.
Start Your Own Group
An easy way to build professional alliances is to start your own group.
This is a good tactic for you if you are outgoing, love people and enjoy networking (otherwise it may feel like too much work – and you’re better off joining someone else’s network/group).
In a professional sense, this could be a mastermind, a specific collaboration project, or simply a peer support group.
Or even better – you can start your own Facebook or LinkedIn group to attract potential clients. This is a bigger job than the others, but if you are ready to build a tribe of like-minded people and have the energy to show up every day, this is a good option.
There are a variety of training courses that can help you do it right.
- Action step: Consider whether you’re ready to start your own group and find a training course to help you do it right. Or, if you are not ready, join a big group where your clients might be, and observe how it’s done.
Summary
It’s easy to feel isolated when you transition from a workplace to your own solo business.
However, I’ve listed FIVE options that you could start exploring to build professional and client networks for the purpose of feeling supported, brainstorming ideas and creating clients.
To get started, choose the one that feels like the best fit and make plans to join and explore what it’s like to be a member.
If that works well, schedule in the number of meetings or days you would like to attend (keep it small and simple!) and start getting into the hang of participating, contributing and collaborating.
When that’s working well, you may like to explore another option.
Now, it’s over to you.
What is your easiest and most obvious starting point?
