Latest / She Speaks to Scale / 24. How To Network Successfully and Build Relationships That Last, With Rebecca Newenham
Transcript
- Sarah Collins: Hello and welcome to She Speaks the Scale with me, Sarah Collins. the podcast that empowers women in business to own their voice, be heard and create impact, one communication insight at a time. a former senior television producer for ITV and ITN. It's my mission to bring the communication skills we need to thrive in today's world of business to the generation of women who simply weren't taught them. Whether it's scaling your authority and stepping into thought leadership, scaling your impact on camera on stage and beyond, or scaling your revenue through speaking opportunities, this podcast will help you use your voice to be heard so you're trusted and remembered when it matters most. Before we begin, if a speaking opportunity came your way tomorrow, would you pass on it, say yes through the nerves or confidently agree? Understanding your speaker identity is the first step to being able to scale and I have a quiz to help you do just It takes two minutes to complete and we'll tell you where you are now and your potential next steps on your speaking journey. I'll drop the link in the show notes. My guest today is Rebecca Newingham, a qualified franchise professional with the British Franchise Association. She is also a business owner, mentor, franchise consultant, flexible working champion, and a brilliant networking host. After a successful career in corporate buying, she founded award-winning outsourcing agency Get Ahead in 2010 and welcomed her first franchisee in 2017. Rebecca helps other businesses realise the benefits of franchising as a consultant with Ashton's Franchise Consulting. She is the author of Virtually Yours, a guide to finding flexible work through franchising, and she hosts various networking events in Guildford and London. Let's dive into the conversation. Hi Rebecca, thank you so much for joining me today. Rebecca Newenham: Oh, what a treat, Sarah. I'm really looking forward to our conversation. Sarah Collins: So am I, so am I. Now, you wear so many hats, Rebecca. I'm actually gonna ask you to tell us all about what you do. But obviously, I know you because when I started my business a couple of years ago and I was looking for networking events, you're very much what I would call, and I'm sure you've been described as the queen of networking in Surrey, Guildford, and now beyond. Rebecca Newenham: I'll take that. Yep. Sarah Collins: So I'm really delighted to speak to you. Now I start every podcast guest interview by asking, when was the moment you realized your voice truly mattered? Rebecca Newenham: it's interesting, so I would say it wasn't in my corporate life, my pre-mummy life. For me, it was after that. So it was once I'd set up my outsourcing agency and I was suddenly allowed to give my voice air in places that really mattered and in environments that I wanted to be in. which is interesting, isn't it? Because I think we're driven so much to You do your degree, you get your corporate job. That's where you've got a voice. And I never felt that was my place. Sarah Collins: That's really interesting because of all the guest interviews I've done that really resonates with me the most actually and it's such a fascinating thing isn't it having this corporate career and you had a very successful corporate career but not feeling like you had a voice do you want to tell Rebecca Newenham: No? Sarah Collins: us a little bit more about that? Rebecca Newenham: Yeah, so I was a retail buyer. So I did a business studies degree, did some placements during that in retail, but then decided, well, I tried a different route to market after I graduated. So I did a couple of other things, then got my first in with Superdrug and I was a buying assistant and then became a buyer there. And it was amazing, Sarah, you the opportunities to go to Paris, work with a supplier to produce beautiful fabric for cosmetic bags, look at cosmetics. And then I went to Sainsbury's and that was not so much fun. And that was more conventional, I guess. And I was doing feminine hygiene and all sorts of random things baby accessories and clothing. I wasn't a mother then, so I had no understanding. But I never felt it was where I needed to be or where I wanted to be. There were elements of it that were wonderful, but deep down I always felt... there were people that had an opinion about me or I was never going to quietly get to that next phase. And looking back, it was, as we always say, isn't everything leads you to where you need to be. And I'm totally off that. And I've got a lovely little picture in my office that says, when you're in your own lane, there is no traffic. isn't that juicy? Sarah Collins: I love that one. first golden nugget of this interview. Rebecca Newenham: And I always say to my franchisees, we're going down our own lane here. We can observe Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: what other people are doing, but we shouldn't be spending too much time and energy concerning Sarah Collins: and Rebecca Newenham: ourselves with what other people are doing. No, I'm so curious slash nosy Sarah and I in another life I'd love to have been in the police, I think. But ultimately it's the observations that drive you forward. what's the point of getting too het up? And you could apply that to our day-to-day life, can't you, when you get swamped into an Instagram nightmare, you know, and you're there for suddenly three hours and it's sort of like, what are they doing? You're obsessed with them. So, yeah. Sarah Collins: Yeah, I'm sure everyone can relate to that. now so many women I have spoken to During networking over the last couple of years, they have, in fact, there was a round table at one event where every single woman had launched her business having been in the corporate world and then she'd had children and that had kind of changed everything up. And I know that was your journey as well. So Rebecca Newenham: Mm. Sarah Collins: what was the inspiration behind the business that you've got today? Rebecca Newenham: Yes. good question. Yeah, so I think I always had a feeling I'd like to do something for myself. My mum, when my brother and I were growing up, she ran what was then called a tutorial agency. So actually it was my dad's idea. He was a head teacher and she was basically getting together a pool of teachers that could give extra tuition to kids at school. So she was matching them up and she was quite ahead of her game. And I've got a lovely picture somewhere of her with a massive answer phone. she'd get the messages but she gave that flexibility so that Mark and I could grow up having her around while we were Sarah Collins: and Rebecca Newenham: at school. So I had that inspiration. And then Martin, my husband and I were talking about, what could I do? I didn't really want to go racing back into London, which is probably where I would have ended up. I didn't love that job enough to do that. And I think that's Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: the thing, isn't it? And it was like, actually I've got so much energy here to apply to something. What are the skills I've got that I could apply? And for me it was, I wanted to produce a business that wasn't just about me. And I think that's an interesting one, isn't it? So I knew Sarah Collins: Hmm. Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: I didn't want to do the delivery. So get ahead. I was born as your virtual assistant. It's now your virtual agency. And basically I was around so many, often women, that had wonderful skill sets. But the only way they could get flexibility was by being a TA at school or working in wait rows, in Tesco's. Sarah Collins: Mm-hmm. Rebecca Newenham: So actually, how can I give them some really interesting work that they can do on their terms? And that's ultimately what I've done. So we've been providing remote business marketing support to growing businesses over the last 15 years. And I franchised it eight years ago. So I've now got nine get ahead regions running in the UK. And we've got a pool of around 90, what we call virtual experts who are freelancers that do the client delivery. So it's a win-win for everybody really, that opportunity to run. their own business as a franchisee and as a virtual expert to be delivered work that you perhaps would struggle to find yourself. Sarah Collins: It's an absolutely incredible model and award-winning as well. Rebecca Newenham: Yes, I always find that bit, rewards are naff, aren't they? I was going slightly cringy. But it Sarah Collins: That's not true! Rebecca Newenham: is, you know, I've got British franchise award, which I'm really proud of and Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: some other SME ones. And actually that was being a big thing for me, Sarah as well. I've always had a PR manager and that sounds Sarah Collins: Mm-hmm. Rebecca Newenham: plastic, but I've always, and you'll relate to this, seen the Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: value of talking about what we're doing. And Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: I've got lots of different podcast opportunities, PR. And that was because I've had Caroline supporting us. So she'll be looking for opportunities. And I know she's really grateful because she was setting up her business when I was. And so we've sort of grown together. Sarah Collins: That's brilliant, that's fantastic. You spoke then about your mum having a business when you were growing up and I think that was quite unusual of the time to, its... Rebecca Newenham: hugely unusual. She was a teacher, but it was my father that was very much the driving force of like, what can we do? And I think they did telephone answering for a local business as well. you he was, he was the ideas person and she did the delivery, which was massive. Sarah Collins: She was the doer. Rebecca Newenham: But then actually she got to a stage after Mark and I had grown up, she just had enough and then she retrained as a humanist counselor. And that was, she was able to do the bit she needed when we were growing up. And I've been a bit like where I've been very hands-on while my girls were here. Now most of them have left home. It's now I'm doing other bits, but we're building Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: ahead still. And Martin, my husband's come on board more now, which is lovely. So I think my advice for anyone listening is to recognise that nothing is forever, is it? Things evolve from a bit like that journey along your own lane. Things can come in, opportunities can come your way. It's being open. And I think as a personality, Sarah, I get a little bit bored. So I want the next. challenge. So I wrote a book just before lockdown about the franchise. So I feel like tick that off. And when I'm doing other things, yeah. Sarah Collins: It was brilliant. I love your new website, by the way. Rebecca Newenham: No. Sarah Collins: we said before, didn't we, about... using your voice and you only really felt like you Rebecca Newenham: Yes. Sarah Collins: kind of owned your voice when you went into, launching your own business. Now, I know you're a speaker. I obviously know you from hosting networking events. how do you use your voice now in a way that perhaps you didn't when you're in the corporate world? Rebecca Newenham: Yes, and it's an interesting one. It's when I launch new franchisees, we often talk about what networking are you going to go to? And they often will say, gosh, how am going to stand up and do an elevator? Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: And I said, I remember when I first launched Get Ahead being anxious about it. But then I suddenly recognized actually, I'm the only person that knows what I'm talking about, about my own business. my voice, I can open my mouth and anything can come out, but I'm owning it because it's, no one can sort of cross examine me and say, well, that's not right. And I think that was the thing in the corporate bit. I didn't necessarily know enough about what I was meant to be talking about. Well, with Sarah Collins: move Rebecca Newenham: your own business, you know everything because you've set it up and you know what's going on and your passion and being authentic shines through, doesn't it? Rather than not having to act. And I can picture going into some awful corporate meeting that I've been sort of. thrown into and that sense of embarrassment about not really knowing what I was meant to be doing really stayed with me. So I think that's been a big lesson about actually owning it and it comes with age as well, doesn't it? And maturity about being able to actually, so I don't really understand what you're asking rather than sort of making something up. Sarah Collins: It's authenticity piece as well, isn't it? Rebecca Newenham: Absolutely. And people buy from people, don't they? And if you're being real and you're showing up and you're consistent, and that's been a big thing for me actually, know, looking like I do in my pictures on LinkedIn, you sharing that being real is really important because people can see immediately if you're not really passionate or you're not really truthful about what you're talking about. Sarah Collins: Yeah, absolutely. Now when it comes to networking, I know you host a number of events every single month, Rebecca Newenham: Mmm, yes. Sarah Collins: what would you say is the key to networking successfully? Rebecca Newenham: Yes. So I suppose there are quite a few different angles. It's about going to the right meetings for you is a big one. Just because Sarah Collins: Mm-hmm. Rebecca Newenham: there's a women's event happening doesn't necessarily mean that that needs to be the right space for you. So I think it's, and I would often say when I'm launching a new franchise, I say, go to the opening of a Chris packet at the beginning, because if you're just launching, you've got that one opportunity to try different things. And I think Sarah Collins: Okay. Rebecca Newenham: that's a big one. So don't... put barriers up, be open to different types of events. And actually, another thing I often say as well is that networking doesn't just happen in a conventional meeting. So a chat at the airport when you're waiting to check in could suddenly lead to something. Being in the playground at school, I got a number of my first ever clients through parents at school because I told them what I was doing. Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: I think that's a big one, isn't it? It's being open. My girls cringe because I'll chat to anyone. But it's like, well, that's fine. You never know, do you? And actually, my friend's son has just got an intern role by walking his dog on the downs near us and just chatting to somebody there. he then introduced him to somebody else. So it's having that openness to recognize that networking can happen anywhere, not just in that conventional meeting. And also not being put off. If you go to one event, don't just assume that, I'll write that off. I didn't really enjoy it. Because we all know you can go to... the same venue, the same meeting month after month and one you can be really energized and it's great and another time it can be quite what you're wanting and each meeting is unique isn't it and who's there. That Sarah Collins: Yes. Rebecca Newenham: really pees me off and people say how many have you got coming today? It's never a numbers game is it? You're telling me that I've got 60 people you're going to talk to all of them? No. So that's a big thing as well actually almost I've been doing some mentoring with a law firm and saying to their lawyers, what's your intention for that meeting? What's Sarah Collins: and Rebecca Newenham: you wanting to do? Don't just sort of rock up. It's sort of be clear in your own head as to what you want to do. Is it that you want to walk away with an introduction to a particular person? Is it that you want to have a one-to-one with somebody? Just be clear. But for me, always, it's the follow up and how you behave afterwards is even more critical than how you are on the day, I think. Sarah Collins: for somebody going to perhaps looking for a first networking event or maybe worried about going to one, what would you say to someone who's kind of starting out on their networking journey? Rebecca Newenham: I would say contact the host. So once you've established which meeting you're going to, then perhaps reach out to the person running it and say, actually, and I get that quite a lot. Someone's saying, I've never been before. So I would always say to them, well, come right at the beginning of the meeting. And actually I did quite an interesting post on LinkedIn about that. Cause one of my mentoring clients had said something I'd said to her had been really helpful, which was come right at the start where it's not very busy. So that therefore you're there as the energy builds rather than that. where you might actually think, I'll pop in half an hour late and then, and that can be quite daunting, can't it? When everyone's in their little groups and you're not quite sure. So my top tip would be contact the host who's running it, explain that you've not been or that you're new to the area and then just say, can I have a chat with you beforehand or could you pair me up with somebody? And I like doing that. And I think you and Charlie are good like that, Sarah, as well, about identifying people and then doing those intros when you're at the meeting, because that makes a difference, doesn't it? Sarah Collins: Yeah, it very much does and I know from personal experience you've done that before actually when I've turned up at one of your events and just introduced me to someone and actually it just takes away that whole element of, okay, who am I going to speak to? Rebecca Newenham: Then another tip would be, you know, go wherever they're serving the drinks, you know, stand in that queue, but ask questions and Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: be that person that's interested in someone else because then that naturally helps. And also have that confidence to walk away. If a conversation has come to the end of its course, don't feel an obligation to stay there either. Sarah Collins: There's that moment where you're on the outside of a group and someone to kind of acknowledge you or you're trying to integrate within the group when they're already talking. And then also perhaps the conversations run its course and you want to continue to speak to other people in the room. What would your tips be on those two different scenarios? Rebecca Newenham: Yeah, so I think the breaking in, you do have to be a little bit forceful, because otherwise you could just be standing like a lemon and I had that recently in the sort of intense group. And then I've just said, oh, and you always touch somebody's arm and just say, oh, can I, can I join you? And they're not going to go, no, because they shouldn't really be having that closed thing. And then I think if someone, if you feel it's run its course, just say, oh, it's been brilliant meeting you now. I'll let you go off and meet some other people now and almost put it to them to say, permission to go off rather than going on, I've got to go talk to some more people. So it's just how you phrase it, I think, without it feeling cringy. Sarah Collins: Yeah, and I don't think we should be afraid of that, should we? We're all going to networking Rebecca Newenham: Noooo Sarah Collins: event with the same intention of to try and build our connections and meet as many people as possible. Rebecca Newenham: Absolutely, yeah, absolutely not. Sarah Collins: I read something that described you as a people person and obviously Rebecca Newenham: Hmm. Sarah Collins: all the things that you do, you need to be a people person, don't you? But what does that mean to you? Rebecca Newenham: Yes, so I touched on the curious slash nosey element. I really am. And I really love finding out about people. So I think for me, I like that idea of being a people person, but being a connector. So I love bringing people together and going, you should talk to so and so. And I get that quite a lot. I get my energy from people. But interestingly, Sarah, I'm a better host than I am a visitor of a group, I realize. Sarah Collins: Really? Tell us more about that. Rebecca Newenham: Well, think I just I love being in charge. I love being brutally honest. And I love the fact that, everyone knows who I am because I've organized something. So I haven't got to do that hard work. So if I was in my ultimate thing, it would be to host meetings and have opportunities for conversations that way. But I've Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: always been really interested in people. I like that problem solving bit and a bit going back to my corporate job with buying, you I was coming up with a solution. What do people want us to be making? Therefore, I'm going to come up with those goods. And that's a little bit how I've been with Get Ahead. It's like what growing businesses need. They need admin support. How am I going to make that happen? And it's a bit the same with networking. How can I help you? How can I make something happen and make a difference? Sarah Collins: Hmm, that's really interesting. Something that I found actually, you mentioned before about Charlie Webb and I run LinkedIn Local. Wimbledon, Putney and Wandsworth and Charlie does Epsom as well. And something we found is actually getting that balance between being the host and also connecting with people in the room. do you work that on a day when you've got a networking event? Rebecca Newenham: I think I sort of have a little look at who's coming and think, I'd quite like to chat to you. So when I'm signing them in, I'll often say, I'd love to have a bit more of a chat with you a little bit later, if that's okay. And for me, I do half an hour in, I'll do a welcome and my sponsor will talk. So I almost have to get that out of the way before I can then have some time for making my own sort of connections and chatting. And I will often think, right, who do I really want to have conversation with and then perhaps book a one-to-one with them in. And sometimes, it's most certainly in the morning once, I might have a coffee or something with somebody afterwards. So I'll Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: often put those in. But you're right, it can be quite hard because sometimes I think that the visitors just see you as LinkedIn local for me or get connected. So I try and make a point when I'm introducing and welcoming everyone to say, look, this isn't just what I do. Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: For some people they think that's probably your permanent job. I wish. Yes, exactly. If only. Sarah Collins: Connector. If only. Now you mentioned there about the follow up it was definitely new to me when I started out with my business and that notion of following up with people after a networking event. What Rebecca Newenham: Yes. Sarah Collins: again, what kind of would a successful follow up look like? Rebecca Newenham: Yes, so I think an unsuccessful follow-up would be just sending a generic message going, great to meet you, here's all my information, let me know if you want to know more. And that just cringes me out. So I think a successful follow-up is really you taking the time to identify perhaps a couple of people that you'd be interested in meeting and then being a bit proactive saying, I'd love to meet you for a coffee or... If there's an event coming up that you think would be relevant for them, I quite like that idea as well to say, look, I've seen this event happening. Do you fancy coming along with me and we could have a coffee beforehand or something. So you're sort of adding value, but I'm, and I'm sure you're the same as me, Sarah, in LinkedIn, if I get messages where you just connected with somebody and then they're immediately trying to sell you something, I end up blocking them or just, you know, that's not my bag. So it's the relationship piece. I think it's really important. Sarah Collins: Hmm. And I think, well, you would know more than I, but businesses are built on relationships. And so it's Rebecca Newenham: Yep. Sarah Collins: about maintaining those relationships, isn't it? So how would you then maintain an ongoing relationship? Rebecca Newenham: So I would, so with some of my networking friends, we might have a little group of us that will go for a coffee or a lunch or something. So it's about being proactive that way where you're bringing people together. And that's also, got sort of a little hit list in my head of thinking who I haven't seen for a while. And Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: that bit about bringing people together. So I've got lovely friend, Melesh, who runs a property business and he and I will meet every sort of six weeks, have a coffee and just sort of chat around business things for each other. So it doesn't have to necessarily be, I'm to have a one-to-one because I want to get work from you. It's almost identifying people that can support you in different ways then. Sarah Collins: That's so important, it? Having that support network as well. Rebecca Newenham: It's vital and the ones you can just be token of, oh my god, I'm having a bit of rubbish time at the moment or this has happened. You need your cheerleaders, don't you? Or if you get stuck in a network, can look over at them and then they can join you and sort of help support you. So it's sort of that level of friendship I think is really valuable. Sarah Collins: Hmm, yeah, that's an interesting word that isn't it? That kind of friendship, because I think you automatically think networking, am I going to get friends from this? I know from personal experience, I've got business friends now from just going to networking event. Also actually collaborations. it's not just about getting work, is it? Rebecca Newenham: Not at all. can be, it can really broaden. I met a lovely personal shopper one years ago and now, you she's a really close friend of mine. I've told everyone about her and she's gone off and done different things and it's amazing. So yeah, you could meet people you'd never naturally meet somewhere else, but the collaboration is really, really critical. And actually a nice surprise then, isn't it? And it's Sarah Collins: I'm Rebecca Newenham: challenging and open your eyes to different things. So you're right, it's not just about how you can get clients. Sarah Collins: Tell me a bit more about your mentorship. You're Rebecca Newenham: Yes. Sarah Collins: a really passionate business woman, aren't you? And obviously being able to mentor other businesses, particularly those that perhaps are starting out, you've been where they are. Tell us a bit more about that Rebecca Newenham: Yes. Sarah Collins: kind of service and how you help other people. Rebecca Newenham: Yeah, no, thank you. yeah, I've got it sort of running alongside. So I've got, as you said, I've got lots of different hats and I do franchise consulting, which is an element of consulting with a different business. But yeah, the mentoring bit I absolutely love. And I guess my sweet spot is often businesses that just started or thinking, how am I going to scale? And I work with a wonderful business owner who had business within education and she was just struggling and then we worked together we had I think four or five sessions and now she doesn't need me anymore you she's got really great plans she's got her time back she we looked at the structure of her business you know it's lovely when I can sort of see how not very much support of mine can make a big difference because I've been there and done a lot of those things in the past and I think that having that separate pair of eyes to be able to say well challenge and I'm not frightened to challenge people and I think that's the thing. I couldn't have been a coach because I couldn't have kept my mouth shut. So think the mentoring business is that I'm able to have an opinion and say, why aren't you doing this? And be a bit more challenging. And I think that's Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: it. And I love those where I can just have a few sessions and it made a difference. And actually my piece around coming to a networking event early came from a local business owner who I've been mentoring. We've only had one session and she raised that. I said to her, don't you do this? She came back and she said, my God, that made such a difference. So it's lovely when you see you're making a difference by just sharing your experience. Sarah Collins: And I can imagine actually with your expertise being able to see the bigger picture and look at someone else's business and see Rebecca Newenham: Yes. Sarah Collins: maybe where they can improve, where perhaps they Rebecca Newenham: Thank you. Sarah Collins: haven't thought of those things. I can imagine that's probably a really good skill that you've got. Rebecca Newenham: love it. it. Yeah. And it's like just a little challenge or just a little question, a little tweak. So like this lovely girl I mentored last year, was, her team just weren't doing what she needed them to be doing. It's like, well, why aren't you getting visibility on that? And then she'd get an invoice for hours and hours for support. And she hadn't sort of just said to this team member, I only want you to do X number of hours and just making Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: that two little tweaks made a huge difference. and reframing Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: their job titles and their job roles was, yeah, but I think it's very easy as we all know when you're running your own business, you're in it, aren't you? And you don't necessarily even have the time to step back and review things. And I've had a mentor or coach myself almost from the beginning of setting Get Head Up, it's a bit like the PR piece. I recognized I needed to have someone else other than my husband to be there for me. So I said, I wouldn't be married anymore, I don't any friends. You need to have Sarah Collins: you Rebecca Newenham: that external... safe space, don't you, to enable yourself to sort of then move on and develop. Sarah Collins: Yeah, how do you think that benefits you as a business owner? Rebecca Newenham: it gives you the boundaries, but I used to love it because I'd be like doing my homework for the coach and then sitting down in that hour just reporting back. And it, really helped me gain momentum. And Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: I felt like I was achieving things rather than just doing the work bit. I was actually having time for strategy there's that classic thing, isn't it? You know, working on your business rather than in it. Sarah Collins: Mm-hmm. Rebecca Newenham: So that was really good. And I bought the sort of good girl guide in me, know, was like, writing my little list of what I've done. I used to really enjoy meeting and saying what I'd done because often you don't get opportunities to really shout about what you're doing, do you? Sarah Collins: Yeah, but you don't as an adult, do you? And I think this is, is again, leaving the corporate world because you probably would have had opportunities where that did happen in the corporate world. But when you work for yourself, those opportunities to kind of say, look, you know, look what I've done or I've achieved this and just being accountable Rebecca Newenham: It's whoop whoop. Yeah. Sarah Collins: for it. Rebecca Newenham: I know, because we don't have an appraisal by anyone, do we? Luckily. But you're right. I think, who are your cheerleaders? That's given me an idea for a LinkedIn post. Thank you. Thank you for writing that Sarah Collins: has it? I'm so glad! Rebecca Newenham: down. I'm going to pause and brain. It's true, though. Who are your cheerleaders? Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: Where do you get your support and your boost ups from? Sarah Collins: Yeah. And I think as well, when we're talking about business growth, you tell me, you feel like the landscape has changed? I just think as business owners now, there's so many different things we need to do. Like you mentioned PR, marketing, we need to be visible. we've obviously got our client work. The list is endless. when people say things like network have perhaps slipped down the list a little bit because there are so many things we're supposed to do. What would you say then as a mentor where we should be focusing our time? Rebecca Newenham: Yeah, I think it's getting that balance. And you're so right. I think that's a classic. And I see that as a host of networking where someone says, sorry, I've not been around for a few months. I've been so busy Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: doing the doing. And then suddenly they're like, my God, I've got no work coming in. Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: I think there's almost a baseline of activity that you should be doing. Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: something like marketing has to carry on irrespective of how busy you are. So it's where you choose to spend your time, but that baseline of perhaps just one event a month is better than nothing or loads because you've got too much on. And some of Sarah Collins: Yeah. Rebecca Newenham: it's perception bit, can't it as well? But I think there has to be an element of consistency. So still showing up on LinkedIn and perhaps you're not posting as much, but you're certainly interacting. And that's a big thing for me on LinkedIn, not just going like, like, like, and it's actually making a comment, being seen on someone's, stream it onto their posts that actually you're showing an interest. It's really important. Sarah Collins: Yeah, that's really good. Obviously LinkedIn is your platform. Rebecca Newenham: I love LinkedIn. No, I don't, don't love it. It's, Sarah Collins: Nice! Rebecca Newenham: passive. And it's where I can find information and, but it's not for everyone, is it? As Instagram isn't really for me, you know, Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: I'm baby naming celebrant. So I've got a little, baby naming accounts on Instagram and that sort of pumping away. But for our get ahead piece, it's not really where we need to spend our time because our Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: clients are hanging out on LinkedIn. So it's that classic thing, isn't it? where are your... clients hanging out, but also the consistency bit is a big thing for me. Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: And I love just doing different posts. And I think as hosts, it's good for us, isn't it? Where we can tag people I'm not short of content to share in terms of photos Sarah Collins: Yes. Rebecca Newenham: and things like that, the algorithm can be strange sometimes, can't it? Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: Often when I'm mentoring, I'm sort of saying, you ring that bell on people's profiles, you know, link to me and click that bell. So then their content is being shown as a priority. So you are able to craft the information that you're seeing a little bit. Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: And then I'm very hot on blocking as well. I don't want to hear from you. Because why not? Why should you? Sarah Collins: Especially if anyone comes and sells directly in your inbox. That's an immediate block, isn't it? Yeah, Rebecca Newenham: Absolutely. A media blog, a report. No thank you very much. Sarah Collins: yeah. It's a funny one with the LinkedIn piece, isn't it? A lot of the people that I speak to, and I think maybe listeners of this podcast as well, it's that classic case of what do I say? And I would say, you've got to create these opportunities for yourself. So networking would be one of those if someone was to come to you and say, I just don't know what to share or what to say, what would you say to that? Rebecca Newenham: Yes. So I would say people love the behind the scenes. They love the personal piece about Sarah Collins: Mm-hmm. Rebecca Newenham: you. So we've all got a story. And again, my girls get cringed out and I say, what's your story? But you know, everyone has a story, a reason why they're doing it. And that's your authentic self. And then another quick win is, well, what are clients asking you about or what are their pain points? Therefore, those are the things you can talk about. And I think certainly if you're networking and you're doing it at a group where you have to do an elevator pitch, the ones I remember the most and relate to the most are when someone's telling you what they've done for somebody recently. So, and Sarah Collins: Mm. Rebecca Newenham: I remember someone saying even, know, Will writers can produce quite interesting things. You everyone's got something interesting to say, even though you might not think it is, but it's just about making it really, really helpful and clear. what you do so someone can go, I know, I spoke to Sarah and I remember she had a story about blah blah and then that's the link together. Sarah Collins: Yeah, yeah, stories are amazing for that aren't they? And I think also just having that clarity of what you do. I know for me, when I first started my business and I went along to networking events, I was just listening and changing my each time I went just to see what landed. And I think it's a good kind of grounding for experimenting a bit, isn't it? To see what people kind of take away or what you Rebecca Newenham: yeah. And you can sort of question them and say, that make, that clear? What do you think? Or ask other people when they're introducing you to somebody, I find that really interesting when they say, this is Rebecca, she does... That sounds interesting. Sarah Collins: Yeah Rebecca Newenham: Or the people that don't ask questions and listen. And I have to say, there are quite a of those out there as well. So don't get disappointed with that. There are so many people that like to talk about themselves. Sarah Collins: but it's about having that balance though, isn't it? You know, we want to hear about Rebecca Newenham: This is absolutely... Sarah Collins: you, but also make sure you wrap your answer up and then you throw a question back to the other person. It's got to be a two-way conversation. Rebecca Newenham: Yeah, know, totally. And if you feel that someone hasn't said anything, you can say, oh, I wonder if I could tell you about what I've been, you be a bit proactive with it. Sarah Collins: Hmm. Rebecca Newenham: Or say, look, actually, I'm looking for this in my business at the moment. Could you recommend anyone? Or yeah, just be a little bit proactive, I think is helpful. Sarah Collins: Yeah, absolutely. Rebecca, thank you. We've covered so much in this episode. I know the listeners are going to take a lot away from this. Now to wrap up, I'd just like to ask my guests to complete the blank. So if you could encourage listeners to speak with and then add your own word or phrase and why, what would that be? Rebecca Newenham: Yes, so I would say speak with authenticity. So with that, mean, just be real. No one can challenge who you are or what you're doing, and only you know why you're doing it. So just be yourself, because if you're not, if you're acting or putting on something, it's so apparent. And people buy from people, so just be yourself and have a confidence to be that person. going back to your piece, Sarah, you can tweak things. over time, but just be who you are in the moment at the moment. And if you're not feeling great about something, be real about that because people, yeah, it's amazing what people connect with if you are being absolutely yourself. Sarah Collins: Yeah, fantastic. Yeah, I love that piece of advice. Thank you. Rebecca, thank you so much. I've really enjoyed this. Rebecca Newenham: Thank you, Sarah. Wonderful way to start a week. Thank you for having me. Sarah Collins: Thank you for listening to this episode of She Speaks to Scale. If you liked the episode or you think it will be useful for someone else, please follow and leave a review. Don't forget there's a link to my speaker identity quiz in the show notes. It takes just two minutes to find out where you are now on your speaking journey and what your next move should be. Remember to speak with intention, not hesitation and let your voice be heard.