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Office Space: Are There Networking Opportunities? · The Daily Writer

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Just about retreating from the world.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: If you want to have a business that impacts your local community, consider the kinds of people that you'll interact with in your physical office location.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_00: The office I just started to rent is located in a building that's a mix of a couple of different companies.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: The top floor is home to a real estate office with about a dozen offices rented by different businesses, me being one of those businesses.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: The bottom level of the building is occupied by a contractor who has a couple of dozen people working there.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: The office next door to mine is rented by a counselor who sees clients several days a week.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: And I've seen a few other building tenants with various businesses just out and about around the building.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: So I've said hi to a number of people in the last couple of weeks that I've been there.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: And during that time, I've had conversations that have been really fun.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: They know what I do and I know what they do.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: And honestly, it's been really refreshing to spend some time in a place where I get to have random conversations with people who do different kinds of work than I do.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, I love you guys, I love writers, I love book people, I love all that stuff, but you can't just be around the same type of people all the time.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: You really need to get out there and mix it up with people who do different kinds of work than you do.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: I think that's just part of being a well-rounded human, and I think that's part of living in a community and contributing to that physical local community.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: There's a mutual benefit to people looking out for others who can benefit from their services.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: I'm looking for clients or people who will benefit from those people's services who I'm sharing an office space with.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: Likewise, I'm pretty sure I am the only ghostwriter and author coach that most of those people know.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: As a result, they will automatically think of me when they run across people who need my services or are interested in things like the Daily Writer Club or my books or so forth.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: You know, a lot of writers love the idea of working from home and only interacting with real life humans when they venture out of the house to the gas station or the convenience store or to get groceries.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: But I hope that you won't default to that type of existence.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: There is a lot of value in getting out there in the real world with real life people and being part of your community.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: And I would argue that as a writer, you have a responsibility to mix it up with people in your area.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: How can you possibly stay curious and creative if you just want to sit at home all the time?
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: And as a business owner, I'd also argue that you have a responsibility to improve the quality of life for the people in your community.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: None of us exist as a silo.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: We're all part of a broader community and network of people who live and work together.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: As the poet John Dunn once said, no man is an island.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_00: Well, no woman is either.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're considering getting an office outside the home, think about how many people you will have the opportunity to interact with in that potential location.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: And if you plan on working from home or going to coffee shops sometimes, make an effort to spend time with other people.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: Get to know them.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: Ask questions.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Invest in those relationships.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: What you'll learn and how you will grow from those interactions will improve your creativity and writing in tons of ways.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: So here's today's challenge.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: Whether you're getting an outside office or working from home, make an effort to interact with real humans and be part of your broader community.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time.