Networking. What an overwhelming concept it can be at first. When starting up a business one marketing strategy is networking, when laid off and searching for employment one strategy is networking. You might be wondering what exactly networking is. Well, networking is: Interacting or engaging in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.

When I think of networking the first thing that comes to mind is I dont know anyone. Ok, I do know some people. So I get my pen an paper and eventually come up with a list of names of people. The next step of personal fear is when I go into the I dont want to impose on friends mode and find myself back at square one. Networking is not imposing. What you may consider imposing can turn out to be a win/win situation. If you are looking for a new position you may network with a friend that has a position open in her company. This company may have a referral award and if you get the job your friend gets a bonus. A nice word from a friend and a company may be filling an open position with a competent employee, you. As for businesses, you may have services the people you network with actually need and can benefit from. You may find the people you have chosen to network with may have services you can use as well. So free your inhibitions and network! Take this list and give them a call, be upbeat, let them know of your circumstance and move on to the next contact.

Where do you start? First take out a pen and paper and start listing friends and family. Add the ex co-workers. Do you patronize any business where you chat while doing business? (Example hairstylists, the person at the espresso bar you talk to while getting your morning coffee), college/alumni buddies, church or social activities? This list will get you started but dont stop there. Be creative. Do you go to PTA meetings? Collect business cards!

Second, be prepared. Keep a folder in the car of resumes or brochures. Keep a healthy stack of business cards with you. Develop a verbal presentation. If it is for employment, be creative and prepared in ways to approach the subject of possible openings. If it is business related, have a verbal description of what your business is and how you can (and have) benefit others. When you are at that hairstylist, during the course of a casual conversation you may bring up you were laid off (or you have a virtual assistant business) a simple May I leave my resume with you? If you hear of someone needing my qualifications you can pass it on (or business cards/brochures if networking for your business). Leads can come from the simplest of situations. Having your "marketing you" speech prepared will take most of the fear out of approaching others and make networking not such a scary concept.

You will find that most people are more then willing to help out. If you find someone who passes your information back, dont take it personally and move on to the next individual. Through your information someone else may benefit. It never hurts to ask, but you will never get a yes if you dont ask. You never know, the people on the list you are networking with may use you for their networking needs in the future, so get out and network today!