Complicated feelings don’t surprise God and I am often reminded during Advent that life is full of waiting and watching. There is hope in the waiting. We mark Advent each year as a family with traditions that help us point to the meaning of the season.
If you are interested, you can find more on our family’s Advent traditions new and old on the blog. And if you want some iPhone photo tips for your holiday photos, check out this blog article.
Entrepreneurship is complicated and messy too.
You can’t look perfect and truly try to get better at the same time.
Perfect people don’t need progress but in my world of real, messy entrepreneurship, I am always committed to progress so that means I show up messy.
You know what’s messy right now? Relaunching in a new market!
Are you feeling messy too? I feel you. It’s complicated.
This move has been hard; it’s hard to feel unknown and to not have clients that know my work and value me yet AND I feel excited for the new opportunities.
Two things have helped me in a messy season…
1. In-Person Networking
Since I’m an extrovert you may think this is easy for me, but I’m allergic to small talk which means networking can feel pointless to me at times. I also do not dig the networking vibe where everyone is just trying to impress each other. I value authenticity so much that I just cannot deal with spaces where it feels like everyone is only putting their best face on, pretending to be perfect. But here’s what I’ve recently learned – you have to put yourself out there to find your people.
I have been focused on building connections here like it is my job until I rebuild a client network. I’ve attended multiple networking group events and made some meaningful connections. A few of those connections have allowed me to support other women-owned businesses and I booked some Brand Storytelling Sessions. I am thankful to the women and groups that have welcomed me! It felt slow moving at first and some connections I was excited about never really continued but some did and I am loving making new connections.
Search Facebook for networking or women entrepreneur groups in your area and attend an event before deciding if it is a fit for you. If you are local to me in Raleigh, reply to this email and I will send you some of the groups I have found that I really love. Yes, this takes time, but building connections in person AND online matter!
If you are struggling to find new clients and build trust GET OUT THERE!
My biggest tips to prepare for networking events are:
- Practice your “elevator pitch” so you can introduce yourself easily and connect. Make sure it sounds like YOU! Several times I was invited to share and was glad I practiced so I didn’t babble on, never wasting an opportunity to connect. A great pitch formula is: This is who I am, what I do, who I serve, and the result they get. For me, my pitches look like:
- I am a visual storyteller and photographer that helps individuals, brands, business owners tell their unique authentic story in an ethical and intentional way so they can build confidence in themselves and trust with their ideal clients. (I usually add if you need more than headshots let’s talk!)
- I am a visual storyteller, photographer, and business mentor. I partner with organizations, individuals, and brands to help you share your stories with intention, dignity, & excellence, so you can have a greater impact on your communities.
- Make sure you have business cards and a digital option, too, so people can save your contact immediately to their phone. I use a QR code like this one so people can easily scan it and save my contact.
- Don’t shrink on inflate yourself. Be authentic and you will attract the right friends, connections, and clients. It’s hard to not feel intimidated or have imposter syndrome in these situations, but remember who you are and what you offer. Just be YOU!
- Be consistent and show up for others. Commit to attending the in-person and online networking opportunities and seek to get to know others, not just be known. Tag other women and businesses and use your influence to help others. Ask other small business owners that you vibe with “How can I support your business?” and then if it is possible, do it!
- 2. Personal Mentorship
I have invested in personal development through mentorship again for this next year. It is a huge investment, but I truly believe after 10 years of entrepreneurship that investing in myself is the best investment. I will devote a future email to this topic because I really believe we all need to be investing in ourselves as business owners. Watch for that one in January!Feeling messy is a part of entrepreneurship and I am here to be honest and vulnerable about the journey. I am cheering you on while I am showing up along side you putting in the work.
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