If you have always worked at a job and enjoyed fellowship with your co-workers, it might be difficult for you to work at home by yourself. However, you don’t have to feel that way because you are really not alone. That’s because there is a whole world-wide-web online just a click away. There are many ways to communicate, including email, live chat, business forums, social networks and web conferences. We have a lot in common in that they also are working from home.
Networking is a valuable resource whether you are online or offline. Meeting people will always serve to benefit you and the alliances we can form may be very important to us in many ways, particularly when we are starting a business or even looking for a job. The people you meet online can become your prospects or customers, represent profitable partnerships or joint ventures, and may be a valuable source of information to us. Chattering and forming long-term friendships are also lots of fun.
In addition to the online community we have for networking and socializing, we may also need some support when it comes to the work we are doing. Collaborating can be of real value from different perspectives. We can glean extra motivation to get going in the right direction when we are accountable to others. This can make a big difference in the level and quality of our efforts to promote our business when we have extra resources – and we can be that extra resource to others in exchange.
If you prefer to work with others, then you might benefit and be of help to others if you join work groups or ‘teams’ with a common goal. An interactive web conference room may be a great setting where you can all learn something together or one of you can be the instructor. You can discuss any issues that may not be clear to everyone and it can be explained one time to multiple people simultaneously. We all have experience and skills that we can share. It is a certainty that people will appreciate your help and in turn will be happy to help you in the future.
Throughout your working career you acquired various skills and experience that can be very relevant to your online business. Computer skills obviously are key, although you don’t have to be particularly technical. You can learn as you go along if there are areas that you feel could be stronger. At this point in our history, there are many software applications and digital/online services that will take care of the more complicated aspects of having a business online. If you just have a working knowledge of using a computer, you have what you need to get started.
Marketing and advertising strategies are probably the most important skills that we all need to learn and then in turn to teach others. Never be afraid to help others because you view people as your competition. Instead think of the often heard saying, ‘if you succeed, we succeed’. It is true. We can all win and helping someone else succeed is a great way to live. ‘What goes around comes around’ is also very true. Accept the help that is available to you and be sure to help others whenever you can. If you give you will receive. At the very least you will feel like a good person and others will agree.
Get to know as many people as you can and build relationships with them over time. Don’t worry about how they will benefit you, just be a blessing and you will receive the same.
