🚨 This is a long post, but it's full of useful information! Forget what you think you know about networking. When you flip the script and think of networking as giving rather than receiving, doors open. This morning I spoke with another freelancer (let's call her A) who shared how a 20-minute call landed her a new client and got her name in front of a group of CEOs. Here's what A did: 1️⃣ She came across a women's entrepreneur group for high-net-worth (HNW) members on Instagram and thought it looked interesting. 2️⃣ She reached out to the founder and asked for an exploratory call to learn more about the group. 3️⃣ She didn't qualify to join, but she told the founder she'd be happy to recommend the group to other HNW people she knows. 4️⃣ The founder was so appreciative that she passed A's information along to a VP at Microsoft and to another group of CEOs who could use her services. This "help first, ask later" approach is incredibly effective. Here's what to keep in mind when YOU try it: 1️⃣ Reach out to people and companies you admire. Every founder loves meeting people who enjoy their product or service. 2️⃣ Go in with an open mind. This is an informal coffee chat, not a pitch call. 3️⃣ Share what you do as a VA in a sentence or two, then spend most of your time asking questions about their product or service. 4️⃣ Offer help where you can. An introduction, a referral, or a genuine recommendation costs you nothing and is often remembered. 🌟 Your core takeaway: networking works best when you lead with genuine interest and something to give, not a pitch. Here's how to put that into practice 👇 - Curiosity beats a pitch. People remember the person who asked good questions and cared about their work far more than the person who explained their services. - You don't need to be a fit to add value. A didn't qualify for the group, and it didn't matter. Referrals, shout-outs, and feedback are all things a beginner can offer. - One conversation can reach many people. Founders and community leaders are connectors. Helping one of them can put you in front of their entire network.

Students enrolled in the VA Business Blueprint and Must-Have Skills programs can now list themselves in our client-facing VA Directory! If you're enrolled, you'll find the sign-up link in the last module — right next to the course review (which, hint hint, would make my day if you filled out 😉). Here's what the page currently looks like: https://www.erinbooth.com/hire If you'd like to be a part of the directory, you must be a student in the paid Blueprint and/or Skills programs 🤙