Career Makeover Wednesdays: Daycare Duty to Writer Extraordinaire

By Guest Blogger Gina Blitstein

From our very first coaching session, Ellen has posed this question: "How do I plan to promote my business and keep my pipeline consistently full of work?" And from that first coaching session, my answer has always been that I am not particularly comfortable with the prospect of in-person networking - or any networking at all. Because of that fact, I have naturally gravitated toward online marketing. It seemed a logical fit for me, since I am more an introverted writer-type than a hand-shaking networker. Ellen assures me that face-to-face networking is a vital skill for me to develop and I know that she is correct. My current assignment from her is to contact other writers to forge relationships with other professionals in my field, which will benefit my business when it comes to understanding what others in my field are charging, challenges they have experienced along the way - and perhaps they might even have some work for me! She also continues to encourage me to attend local networking events and follow up on prospects with whom I've already had contact.

In addition to the new challenges Ellen has given me, I continue the online marketing strategy that I have already implemented on my own. I thought it would be interesting to discuss the marketing I did in my previous career in contrast to what is necessary to promote my new career. This week I would like to discuss the differences between working with people in person and working with people I've only meet on the Internet. There are certainly some similarities - and some distinct differences.

My child care business was, by necessity, a face-to-face kind of job. Parents would want to meet me, interview me and really get to know me before entrusting their children to me. Background checks and reality checks - that is as it should be when choosing a person to care for your precious little ones. My business was me and I was my business. If I had emitted a vibe that was anything less than competent and trustworthy, I would never have gotten any business. The personal relationships I built in my business insured satisfied clients and many referrals throughout the years.

In many ways, my new venture as a freelance writer demands the same things of me. I need to project an air of confidence in my talent and demonstrate that I can be trusted to meet deadlines and expectations. There are, however, some marked differences. As a freelancer, I can actually market my business and forge new relationships with potential clients without ever actually meeting them in person. I can use tools available on the Internet to meet and network with others in my field and potential clients alike.

I am a big fan of Twitter for the purpose of communicating about my business via the Internet. Twitter is a social networking site where you can send 140-character messages out to those users who follow you and read and reply to their messages. Twitter affords me the opportunity to meet other writers, folks who may be interested in my writing services and others who simply find me interesting. Every Twitter interaction is a potential networking opportunity because I frequently "Tweet" (which is the word used for the act of sending a message) about my work and the challenges and successes I'm experiencing in my career reinvention. The key to enjoying successful networking on Twitter is to make yourself a resource for others - not to "sell your services." Of course I don't only talk about business - I also mix in some Tweets about "life" in order to keep my Twitter persona likable and real. Twitter gives me the opportunity to showcase my talent and personality - which is a real godsend for this lady who still finds it a bit uncomfortable to network in person.

I have recently been hired by a couple people I "met" on Twitter who needed my writing services and I've been in contact with several others. One of the most effective things about Twitter for networking is that no one "has" to listen, so my audience is already predisposed to being interested or they wouldn't be following me in the first place. Twitter has already proven to be an effective source of business for me. A link to my business website is right in my profile so it's easy to refer interested parties there. For a business that doesn't have a brick and mortar location, the Internet is a great way for me to meet potential clients from all over the country, too.

Networking in my new field is the same yet different than in my previous one. In person meetings are no longer the only way to make business connections because the Internet affords me so many other ways to let people know about my work. What remains the same is the need to convey my qualifications and passion for my career - and I remain more comfortable at that online than I am in person. Twitter is easy and convenient to use, provides me with an interested audience for whom I can be a resource and expands my potential client base throughout the country. I can Tweet whenever and wherever I want and I don't need to dress to impress. Sounds like a networking relationship made in heaven!

That being said, I do want very much to hone my in-person networking skills. Ellen has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to both other writers and locals who could benefit from my writing services. She has equipped me well to do so: I now have a pitch with which I am comfortable which explains exactly how I can be of service to others. Online networking can only take me so far. I fully believe that the bravery it will take me to "spread my wings" will serve me well throughout my new career. I am eager to see where reaching out to other writing professionals will take me in terms of confidence, networking skills and professionalism.