Latest / Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs / 176: Sell more digital products through networking online

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176: Sell more digital products through networking online · Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to Online Business Uncovered.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: This is episode 176, and in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about how online networking can help you build genuine relationships that lead to more opportunities and ultimately help you sell more of your digital offers.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: So let's jump right in and let's get started.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: I am your host Karen, an online business strategist, course creation expert, and your go-to for building a business that works for you and not the other way around.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: If you are an ambitious entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or maybe you're just ready for a smarter, more sustainable way to grow, then you're in the right place.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: Because each week I'll be bringing you inspiring conversations, practical strategies, and step-by-step guidance to help you create scalable, repeatable digital products that sell even while you sleep.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're ready to stop trading your time for money, reclaim your time, and finally build a business that gives you the freedom that you deserve, hit subscribe and tune in every Thursday.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: Let's uncover what's truly possible for you starting now.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to another episode of Online Business Uncovered.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Karen, and I really do appreciate you hitting the play button to listen to today's episode.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Now I'm going to be continuing with my Summit Speaker series, and today I'm introducing another speaker.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: I am going to be joined by Kelly West, who is the co-founder of the online networking group Only Networking.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Because we're going to be exploring how online networking can actually help you build genuine relationships in business that will ultimately lead to more opportunities and get you more sales when it comes to your digital offers.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: So this topic is a topic very close to my heart.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: I'm really excited about this conversation.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: And I hope that by the end of this episode you understand how powerful online networking can actually be, not just for your business and for meeting people, but for selling as well.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: So let's dive into today's episode and let's get started.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm really excited to introduce Kelly West, who will be speaking at the event.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Kelly West is the co-founder of Only Networking.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: Kelly, welcome.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me today.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: Great to be here.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Karen.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm really excited because you're going to be speaking at the event.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: But do you just want to introduce yourself and tell the listeners who you are, what you do, and you know a little bit about your journey?
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_01: So my story is big, so I'll condense it for you.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_01: Not abored people, as you say.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_01: I'm the co-founder of Only Networking.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_01: I'm a mum, part of a blended family.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_01: I've got a disabled daughter, so I'm a carer as well.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_01: And for me, um, only was built as the business network for people who like people, because it's kind of like an extension to my family.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: It's a family business, run it with my husband and my daughter, and we are definitely out there building an online networking community across the UK, the US, and Ireland for people to grow together because being in business is lonely, right?
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_01: And we want good people around us.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_01: Um we we did that because we were frustrated that traditional networking for us often felt too transactional, it wasn't focused on the people, and we believe that business should feel more human.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_01: And we definitely wanted people to grow through genuine relationships, not awkward selling, just conversation.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and I suppose just to sum that up, running that alongside James has given us flexibility within the family while we care for Kennedy, and it absolutely reinforces our belief that business should support your life, not consume it.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely, no, I absolutely agree.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: I talk about this a lot, where it's your business is a vehicle that can take you wherever you want to get to, um, but you have to know what that end destination is in order to get it there.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but but being able to be surrounded by the right people and be part of communities that support you whilst you're like on the journey, so to speak, I think is really important.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: And I do think that's what you and James do really well.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it is a very um empowering network, I have to say.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: I've been a part of the only network, I would sort of say probably two, three years, quite a long time.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, quite a long time.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't think I've ever attended a meeting where I walked away and thought, number one, it was a waste of time, or that I haven't had valuable conversations with really lovely people.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so I think you do do it really well.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: And I know you have this thing where you sort of say it's for people who like people, um, but it really is.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: It really is.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_01: We say this, like everything we teach comes back to that belief.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_01: People buy from people.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, we're stealing that phrase from another organization, aren't we?
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_01: But it's true, people buy from people, and relationships aren't just nice to have, they're not just the nice part of business, they are your growth strategies.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_01: Everything starts with them, so yeah, it's important.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, 100%.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: And I think there is a belief in the online world when people are creating um digital products and that, that that it's all about selling online.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: So relationships don't matter because it's all about getting the sales, and this is something that I see time and time again.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: This is why there's been a trend in the faceless marketing, because there's a belief that they can just sell what it is that they have to sell without taking the time to build relationships, but but relationships are the currency of business, and I think without that, you you you know, it becomes a bit soulless.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_01: Definitely, definitely.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, if you've built a personal brand for yourself and you've built a network of supporters and cheerleaders, ambassadors, when you launch a digital product, there's gonna be a percentage of them are gonna buy it from you because they buy into you and what you do, and you've built that through conversation, not just through faceless marketing.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_01: That's never gonna work.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_00: It's been really interesting with the summit because um I obviously I've been talking about the summit now for probably the best part of a month.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: And at the moment, at the currently, I'm recording this.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: I've only got the wait list up.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: So I've got 18 plus speakers, including uh Kelly, that's going to be speaking at the summit.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: They're all expert speakers talking um, you know, on loads of different subjects, visibility, sales, mindset, marketing, building scalable offers, all of that good stuff.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: And one of the things that networking has really sort of done for me, number one, it's put me in front of a lot of these speakers, which is amazing.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_00: Because outside of networking, how would I even find these people?
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: But also selling the tickets, selling the upgrade tickets has been really easy because it's a trust thing.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: And I think when you show up, be consistent, and you take the time to get to know people, when you ask for something in return, like come support me, be a part of this summit, it works.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: People buy, they they they it converts into those sales, and I think that's an important aspect of it as well, because the relationships have already been formed, so it's a natural next step for them.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, totally agree with you.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, definitely.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: So, what's one of the biggest mistakes that you see or misconceptions that you come across that entrepreneurs have um when it comes to uh sort of building relationships online, using online networking, you know, how how does that sort of play out for people?
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_01: The downfalls.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_01: This one's really easy for me.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_01: I think most people treat networking like a lead generation lead generation tool rather than a relationship building tool.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_01: So to expand on that, it they're looking, they they go to get customers, so they don't go there to see who they can have a conversation with, they go there to get a pound sign, they'll pitch too quickly.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we don't talk about pitches, we talk about introductions and conversations.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_01: But most people will go, well, I need to go there and pitch because I need to get X from as a result of it.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_01: They'll they're but there's a tendency for people to disappear until they need something, and then they come back in and go, Oh, I really need this thing now.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: And because they don't instantaneously get it, it doesn't work, which is wrong.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_01: It's the consistency that you need.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_01: And then they measure conversions rather than the trust piece.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_01: And like you've said, Karen, like you can't put a number on those connections, those collaborations, the information that you get from other, you know, people in industries that solicitors always a good one.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_01: Solicitors in your network will give you half an hour of their time.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_01: You might be paying two, three hundred pounds for that outside of a network.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_01: Are you thinking about all of the extra things that you get from networking?
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_01: And for me, the businesses that grow consistently are the ones that become memorable.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_01: If people can remember how you you made them feel, they're gonna pull that information way before they can remember even what you sell.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_01: It's how you make somebody feel yeah, it really is.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_01: So I think that mistake piece is going into networking or the online space with unrealistic expectations.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: It's interesting, isn't it?
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_00: Because if you were selling something online, say on Instagram, you're vying against all the noise out there, that sea of noise that's out there, everybody doing the same thing.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: But when you take the time and you go to a really good networking group and you take the time to get to know people, have those connected conversations and really spend time building the relationships, everything becomes so much easier because the trust, that trust the the people need before they hand over money has been established.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and and like you say, there's no, I don't think there's uh there's a shortcut to that.
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: I think you have to invest the time, but by doing so, that's how you then sort of you know build the business that that then kind of works for you.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and don't see it as a job, like you enjoy it, right?
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_01: Go along and have fun, have conversations because you just don't know where those conversations are going to take you, do you?
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, that would be my answer.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, I love it.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_00: I love a one-to-one.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: I have some great conversations.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: It can honestly, I could be, I think what's sort of great about it is that you could be really busy in the space of your day um doing all the things, and then you'll have a conversation with somebody, and it's just a good old natter.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: And and it's really interesting where um kind of sales come from, because it could just be one thing that just lands with somebody, and not just on the side of selling, also on the side of buying as well.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_00: You know, when you're talking to somebody and they're like, Oh, I'm really passionate about this, and this is what I do, and and they're like, Oh, actually, I need that, that I need that, you know, that that would really help me out.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: And then so it is a two-way thing, and I think looking at it as a two-way exchange as well, yeah, being being open to both sides of that conversation because for sure.
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I completely agree with you.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_00: The good thing about online networking is do you remember when we did in person pre-COVID and you'd go to a networking group and and you'd be handed a business card before anything else?
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have that online, you know, they can't do that.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I love it.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you walk through the door and suddenly, suddenly, like they're chucking their business cards at you.
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_01: I finally, about a year ago, got rid of my massive pile of but like they were piling up on the side from like years ago.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_01: I hadn't been in-person networking for years.
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_01: They ended up in a drawer, and I opened the drawer and I was like, these need to go.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_00: Like yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: It's time, it's time.
• 12:43
  SPEAKER_00: Well, it's but it's funny, isn't it?
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: Because I don't know about you, but I I haven't done in-person networking since 2020, like which is really bizarre because before then everything was in person, and I used to yeah, I used to do a lot of in-person network because my my business at the time was sort of local, um, but now it's it's it is all online, and I think what the beauty of online networking allows is for reach, because you can be having conversations with people in the US, in Australia, in Singapore, wherever.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: And it doesn't really matter because you have that, you're you're online and you have that um ability to connect um in so many other sort of locations in that.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_01: I'm the same.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_01: I probably go to two or three in-person events a year, and that's normally to support somebody that I know that's running it, or you know, one of our members.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_01: I went up to London the other day and it was virtual clay pigeon shooting, and I thought, well, that would be quite fun.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_01: It's not a traditional networking event, and it was great.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_01: But the time that is taken out of your day to do that stuff, and you don't get the reach, of course you don't.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, I completely agree with you.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: So if someone listening today could take one action this week to improve their business, what would you encourage them to do?
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_01: This is going to be something practical because you can all do this.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_01: I would say reach out to three people that you've already met, and they could be somebody you've already had a conversation with, you might have had multiple conversations with them, or it might be somebody you met at a networking event this week.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_01: Just pick three people that you haven't spoken to for a while that you want to have a conversation with and just check in.
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_01: Just ask them how they're doing.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_01: You might have seen a post on LinkedIn that one of them is celebrating something, so give them congratulations.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_01: You might think, actually, that person needs to meet that person, or I'll give them an introduction, or just offer some help if they're asking for some help.
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_01: But I think pick three people, no cold outreach, because that makes people a bit oh, I don't know if I like that.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_01: You've got plenty of people in your network that you're probably missing, so just go back and pick three people and start up a conversation again.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_01: Because business isn't built in networking meetings alone, it's built in the bits between the networking meetings.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_01: You've got to follow that.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think that's really good advice.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: And and also I'd probably take it one step further from a creator's um perspective.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: If you are in the process of creating something, but you don't know if what you're creating is valid, if there is market demand, if if it's gonna um deliver the results that you're thinking it's going to deliver, this is where networking really comes into its own.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_00: Because again, you can reach out to connections that you've made and you can ask them to test your product and you and and really, you know, have get those insights and feedback from people that you trust.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_00: I think, I think, you know, they this is where you can really leverage networking to really benefit your your self-release.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_01: You know, get feedback on your marketing campaigns, on your messages, all of that stuff from professionals that you respect and you admire.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_01: Such a missed opportunity, you know.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_01: I don't know.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_01: Sometimes people get embarrassed to ask because they feel like they should have everything together and you know figured out.
• 16:12
  SPEAKER_01: Why would I go?
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_01: But not at all.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_01: We're all in the same boat.
• 16:14
  SPEAKER_01: We all have to start somewhere, you know.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_01: I love it when somebody comes to me and I've I've got it at the moment.
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_01: Um, somebody's asked me to be to test their product for them because I gave them some advice.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm like, that's really nice because she's taken on board what I've said, she agrees, she's gone and built it, and she's said, There you go, do you want to just try it for me?
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_01: Of course I will.
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_01: I can help you do that, you know.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_01: So don't be frightened because there's always going to be people in your network that want to support you and cheerlead for you.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: And you touched on a really great point that I think is undervalued.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_00: When you have these conversations with people that are equally networking and going out and meeting people, the the thing that I that that tends to happen that I really value is when you get into that honest conversation about what business looks like for them.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_00: And because from an outsider's perspective, you often look in at a business owner, an entrepreneur, and you think they've got it all figured out.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_00: They've got some magic formula where they know what they're doing and they're making loads of money and they're having all this success.
• 17:19
  SPEAKER_00: And then by having a one-to-one conversation, um, you can actually find out what the truth of it is.
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_00: And it's not about somebody doing less better than you or whatever, it's about the reality of the world that we're in and and how people are approaching their business, and you can learn a lot from that, but also you can it also releases pressure because often we find ourselves in a place where we think we have to be 10 steps ahead of ourselves, even though where we are is exactly where we need to be at that moment.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_00: But by having these conversations with people you meet online, you realize that not everybody actually has it figured out and everybody's in the same boat um trying to figure it out together.
• 18:04
  SPEAKER_00: So I think they're the conversations when I have them that I come away and I'm just like, I really value them because it's just it's clarified that when we're we're all in this together and we're all trying to figure it out.
• 18:20
  SPEAKER_00: Nobody has the magic formula, and I think actually, the more I do what I do, the magic formula is just consistency.
• 18:27
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, definitely.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_00: That's it.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_01: Consistency is the magic formula for many, many things, isn't it?
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_01: You know, don't get me wrong, you can be consistently doing the wrong thing and that doesn't help.
• 18:35
  SPEAKER_01: But if you're doing the right thing consistently, yes, it's gonna help.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_01: And you you kind of what you've said there is that key thing of if you're having those conversations and you're getting a bit of a reality check, which is always good for us just to see what else is going on outside of our bubble, you're also building that trust because you're allowing that slightly vulnerable side to come out, you're showing really what's happening.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_01: That trust is enhancing that relationship so that when the time is right, the referral or the collaboration or whatever it is, you're just building those next steps of trust in that relationship.
• 19:08
  SPEAKER_01: So it I absolutely agree with you.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 19:11
  SPEAKER_00: And it's just remembering that we're all human, you know, we're not we're not machines, we're all human, and and there are is emotion attached to business uh growth as well, and that can often come out, um, you know, and that and that vulnerability, I think, like you say, I think is a really powerful thing when you tap into it because it does build that trust.
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_00: So, yeah.
• 19:34
  SPEAKER_00: One of the themes obviously running through this online business growth summit is helping entrepreneurs build businesses that don't rely solely on their time.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_00: So, how do you think online networking sort of feeds into this to help people create that freedom, um generate more income, and build more sustainability in their business?
• 19:57
  SPEAKER_01: I think this is probably the most important thing considering what you're doing with the summit, Karen, and trying to get people to shift the mindset of what that space is actually all about.
• 20:07
  SPEAKER_01: So, for me, networking or relationship marketing creates referrals instead of constantly chasing cold leads.
• 20:15
  SPEAKER_01: Like they're coming in with you, having a conversation.
• 20:18
  SPEAKER_01: You've got people out there bringing that stuff to your doorstep rather than you go out and cold chasing it.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_01: You're gaining that repeat business because you're getting those customers through word of mouth.
• 20:28
  SPEAKER_01: That's a really good space for repeat business.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_01: You'll get to a point where certain people, it doesn't matter what you sell, they'll end up buying it off of you because they come real ambassadors for you.
• 20:37
  SPEAKER_01: I keep touching on that collaboration space, that relationship marketing and that opportunity to collaborate with other people to maybe have a spin-off service or you know, share and market each other's services, that's always there.
• 20:51
  SPEAKER_01: Of course, the introductions.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_01: I talk about introductions versus referrals.
• 20:55
  SPEAKER_01: I don't really like referrals.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_01: Referrals are great.
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_01: If if Joe Bloggs wants X, he wants a website doing, I'll I can introduce you to Five Web Teligners off the top.
• 21:04
  SPEAKER_01: That's fine.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_01: The difference for me is introductions and conversations.
• 21:08
  SPEAKER_01: So rather than you needing to go out there looking for loads of people to have a conversation with, those people you're networking with who know you really well will bring those people to your door.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_01: Save them time again.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_01: And it's all those opportunities that you could never have predicted or you would never have gone out there and sought.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_01: And I think the key thing for me is in that that kind of freedom space is when your reputation starts opening doors for you, you're then no longer relying on constantly having to market yourself every day and be here, there, and everywhere, and all that time-consuming stuff.
• 21:40
  SPEAKER_01: And then those relationships continue working even when you're not there.
• 21:44
  SPEAKER_01: Like you're in that space.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_01: People talk about you in meetings when you're not there because they know what you do, they know you're professional, you show up consistently, your branding's great, you're that you're in their minds, don't even have to need to be in the room.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_01: People are referring you on without you being there, and that is a huge.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_01: You know, that creates that freedom of time, definitely.
• 22:04
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I agree with you.
• 22:05
  SPEAKER_00: I think that's something, excuse me.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_00: I think um networking does really well.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_00: Um, the one thing I've been really consistent with outside of this podcast is my networking from day dot.
• 22:19
  SPEAKER_00: I recognized it as being the the pathway that I wanted to take in order to build a business.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_00: And and and at the time, so I started what 10 years ago, and I um, you know, one of my very first networking groups was that I attended B I.
• 22:37
  SPEAKER_00: And I I was part of BI for two and a half years, and it gave me some really good grounding, and it really and I learned so much just by being around other people and having conversations and and figuring out how did I want to show up, how did I want to um build my business, what was important to me.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_00: And I think when you're around other people and you're seeing how other people are showing up, how other people are carrying themselves, positioning their offers, delivering their 60 seconds, all of that stuff, you you accelerate your growth because you're you're you're able to learn by people that are are excellent at what they do, other experts in their fields, and and there's something really powerful about that.
• 23:25
  SPEAKER_00: You're not trying to figure out on your own, you're you're around people in an environment that that is designed to support you and and your growth as well.
• 23:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um so I agree with that.
• 23:37
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, lean into it, do it well, enjoy it, be present, pay attention, be consistent again.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and it'll work.
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we we all know people that are good networkers, they stand out a mile, don't you?
• 23:48
  SPEAKER_01: You're definitely one of them.
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_01: Do what you're meant to do, though.
• 23:53
  SPEAKER_01: You're there, I'm here, I just as well do what I'm meant to do.
• 23:56
  SPEAKER_01: If you're not doing that, you're not building that reputation, and you're not enjoying it.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_01: Pop marks, Karen.
• 24:03
  SPEAKER_01: There you go.
• 24:04
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, thank you, thank you, thank you.
• 24:07
  SPEAKER_00: Oh no, that's I like to say I love I love online networking, and even when I sort of pivoted and um started to build out the online side of my business, it it never occurred to me not to do it.
• 24:22
  SPEAKER_00: And I find that really interesting in the online space because I'm part of communities of online entrepreneurs and very few of them network.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_00: And I find that I find that massively crazy because not only does it bring clients if that's what you want to do, but but you can equally, you know, sell your offers with you know to you know, through networking.
• 24:48
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't just have to mean that you've got you can jump on Instagram, run endless stories, all of that in order to sell.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_00: But you're if anything, it's they're easy, it's easier to do because of that trust.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_00: So I find it bizarre when I speak to an online entrepreneur that that has offers and things that they're selling, but networking is just not part of their strategy, and I just feel like it's a missed opportunity on so many different levels.
• 25:14
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, definitely.
• 25:16
  SPEAKER_01: It's quite common, but people like to sit behind, you know, you can sit behind social media a bit, can't you?
• 25:22
  SPEAKER_01: Whilst you're you're facing front and you're there, there's kind of a time delay, isn't it?
• 25:26
  SPEAKER_01: So you might do a live, and okay, that's that's fine, but by the time people see it, you're doing something else, and then you know, that kind of thing.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_01: With networking, it's very much there, isn't it?
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_01: It's in your face.
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_01: I've got to be present here now, I've got to be ready, I've got to go.
• 25:38
  SPEAKER_01: And I think people do struggle with that.
• 25:40
  SPEAKER_01: But I always say just try it, just do it.
• 25:43
  SPEAKER_01: Just give it six months, you know, persevere because I guarantee you, if you're feeling nervous at day one, give it six months, you're not going to be feeling nervous.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_01: You if you really hate it still at six months, fine, it might not be for you.
• 25:54
  SPEAKER_01: But there's not many people I meet that don't really love it and enjoy it and gain from it.
• 25:58
  unknown: Yeah.
• 25:59
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 26:01
  SPEAKER_00: So that leads us nicely on to your summit session.
• 26:05
  SPEAKER_00: So for everybody joining us at the online business growth session, um, summit, sorry, um, what are you going to be sharing during your session and why shouldn't they miss it?
• 26:18
  SPEAKER_01: But it's still a work in progress, but I will be sharing how to build meaningful business relationships that actually lead to growth through the online space.
• 26:29
  SPEAKER_01: And looking at not being salesy or spending every day chasing new clients, but how are you using the online space?
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_01: If you're producing digital products and you're very much in the online world, how are you loot utilising that online networking space?
• 26:42
  SPEAKER_01: And there'll be some practical strategies, some really simple actions that they can take away, a bit of confidence boosting for some people if they need it, and maybe just a bit of a fresh perspective on networking, because I think networking has a real it's a bit stale for some people, and it's not anymore.
• 26:58
  SPEAKER_01: It has moved on.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_01: So I guess, as well, if if networking's ever felt awkward or exhausting, I am there to absolutely show you that it doesn't need to be that thing.
• 27:08
  SPEAKER_01: So it's about that online space, it's about utilising the online space, stripping out the social media, looking at networking as a separate entity, and how you can really get growth through that.
• 27:20
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_00: I think your session's gonna be, I mean, all the sessions are gonna going to be amazing, but I think yours is gonna be very good and it's gonna be very very interactive, isn't it?
• 27:29
  SPEAKER_00: So um really looking forward to that.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_00: So before we finish the interview, I thought it would be fun just to kind of fire some some questions at you.
• 27:40
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, just you know, share whatever comes into your head.
• 27:45
  SPEAKER_00: So, coffee or tea, what do you prefer?
• 27:49
  SPEAKER_01: Coffee, but I don't really like coffee either.
• 27:51
  SPEAKER_01: I just drink it because I like a hot drink.
• 27:54
  SPEAKER_00: It's just habit for coffee.
• 27:57
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, coffee, yeah.
• 27:59
  SPEAKER_00: I'm with you there.
• 28:00
  SPEAKER_00: I love it, I love a cup of coffee.
• 28:02
  SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, probably too many, actually.
• 28:05
  SPEAKER_00: Too many, yeah.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_00: Probably have one in a minute.
• 28:07
  SPEAKER_00: I know.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_00: What's one business book every entrepreneur should be reading?
• 28:13
  SPEAKER_01: For me, it would be the go-giver.
• 28:15
  SPEAKER_01: So that's very much about networking.
• 28:17
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, I think that comes from the B and I origins anyway, doesn't it?
• 28:19
  SPEAKER_01: Many moons ago, but that whole sort of fable around how you progress in business and thinking about people around you.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_01: It, you know, that's aligned to our philosophy when within that only.
• 28:30
  SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, the go-giver.
• 28:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I always with B and I, they always say um, how you do one thing is how you do everything.
• 28:38
  SPEAKER_00: That that's the thing that I take away from BI.
• 28:41
  SPEAKER_00: And I say that to my children.
• 28:42
  SPEAKER_00: I found myself sharing that, and um, you know, because it's so true, isn't it?
• 28:47
  SPEAKER_00: How you approach one thing is how you approach everything.
• 28:50
  SPEAKER_00: So um, yeah, yeah, go give us a good one.
• 28:53
  SPEAKER_00: Um, what one tool or app um do you currently use that you couldn't run your business without?
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_00: Zoom.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_00: Gotta be Zoom.
• 29:03
  SPEAKER_01: God help us if anything happens to that.
• 29:05
  SPEAKER_01: Uh we should have bought shares in it back in the day.
• 29:07
  SPEAKER_00: I know, I know.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_00: You know, done so well.
• 29:10
  SPEAKER_00: Well, honestly, their their market share after after COVID must have tripled, if not, you know, quadrupled.
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_00: But yeah, what's the one best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
• 29:26
  SPEAKER_01: So I think stop trying to impress people, just start trying to help them.
• 29:34
  SPEAKER_01: You know, I think when you're on your on your business journey, you go into a conversation and you're trying to be like, oh yeah, I'll do this and I do that, and I don't know, you know, I'm great because you want that person to really like you.
• 29:44
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 29:44
  SPEAKER_01: I don't bother with that anymore.
• 29:46
  SPEAKER_01: I just say who I am, what I do, and then I find out about that person and sort of work out how I can help them.
• 29:53
  SPEAKER_01: And I'll quite often say, Oh, it's been really lovely chatting to you.
• 29:55
  SPEAKER_01: How can I help you?
• 29:57
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, and that makes you memorable.
• 29:59
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely makes me it makes you memorable.
• 30:02
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and and also I think people respond to authenticity.
• 30:05
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, they absolutely do.
• 30:07
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 30:07
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 30:08
  SPEAKER_00: I think you can I can I think you can tell a facade, you know, a mile off.
• 30:12
  SPEAKER_00: So um, yeah, no, that's great advice.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_00: And then finally, in one sentence, what does building an online business mean to you?
• 30:22
  SPEAKER_01: It means it's good, well, it's given me the freedom and impact to build genuine human connections, no matter where you are in the world.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_01: Like my life is better not just from a business perspective, but from a personal perspective too.
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_01: It is grown immeasurably.
• 30:39
  SPEAKER_01: I could never be in the place I am now without being so entrenched in the online space.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_01: I've got connections all over the world that would never have happened without you know, online being such a big place.
• 30:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um, yeah, not just from a business perspective, although that's obviously helped immeasurably, but from a personal perspective to most of my friends I've never even met in person.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_00: It's great.
• 31:02
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, it's amazing.
• 31:03
  SPEAKER_00: I feel I feel it up it it offers what is it, limitless opportunities for everybody.
• 31:10
  SPEAKER_00: Kelly, thank you so much for sharing everything today, for coming on, being part of the summit.
• 31:16
  SPEAKER_00: Like I say, I'm super excited about your session.
• 31:19
  SPEAKER_00: Your session's going to be amazing.
• 31:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um, for those of you that have not signed up to the wait list, please do so because you'll be the first to hear about any um sort of upcoming um things that we've got going on, any offers, any sort of updates.
• 31:36
  SPEAKER_00: And honestly, this event is going to be amazing.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_00: So, Kelly, thank you for being a part of it.
• 31:42
  SPEAKER_00: And I really do value your time and appreciate you coming on today.
• 31:45
  SPEAKER_00: It's gonna be great.
• 31:46
  SPEAKER_00: Look forward to seeing everybody at the summit.
• 31:48
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks, Karen.
• 31:49
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode.
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_00: I really hope it's given you something to think about and perhaps inspired you to look at your business a little bit differently.
• 32:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you've enjoyed this episode, then I'd be grateful if you could share with a friend or a fellow entrepreneur.
• 32:07
  SPEAKER_00: It really helps more people discover the podcast, and you never know who might need to hear this message today.
• 32:14
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're ready to start building a business that gives you more freedom, then I would love to invite you to join me at the online business growth summit.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this summit is taking place on the 6th to the 8th of October online.
• 32:29
  SPEAKER_00: It's completely free to attend, and it's going to bring together over 18 expert speakers who will be sharing practical strategies to help you create a business that you love, a business that truly supports your lifestyle.
• 32:45
  SPEAKER_00: You can register your free place today by visiting www.sellublingsonline.com.
• 32:52
  SPEAKER_00: I will be back next week with another episode, but until then, have a wonderful week.
• 32:59
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for tuning in to today's episode of Online Business Uncovered.
• 33:04
  SPEAKER_00: If today's conversation has sparked an idea or gave you a dose of clarity, then please make sure to check out the show notes for all the links and resources mentioned.
• 33:14
  SPEAKER_00: New episodes land every Thursday, so hit follow or subscribe to stay in the loop.
• 33:19
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're loving the show, a quick rating or review goes a long way in helping more brilliant entrepreneurs like you find this show.
• 33:28
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, keep showing up, keep sharing your brilliance, and remember, freedom in business is possible, and it starts with taking the next right step.