Soon to Come!

I just recently started my business back up, and as all of you know, our world has been changing rapidly, particularly since Covid-19 hit. Keep in mind that many of my blogs are outdated, so take them with a grain of salt. Some of the small businesses no longer exist, and some of my timely advice concerning social media and SEO is no longer as current or relevant as it was when I originally wrote it.

With all of that in mind, expect new material very soon. I am going to update the portfolio and Idahoswamprat a bit first, and then new blogs will follow.

I thank you for your support in my business endeavor. Should you need any assistance with editing or writing, do not hesitate to call me at (208) 391-5065, and, in the meantime, enjoy the new material as it comes out.

National Business Women’s Network

 The National Business Women’s Network is a worthwhile group to get involved in. Their motto is “Creating Business Relationships One Business Card at a Time”. It began in 2008 as the Idaho Business Women’s Network.

The NBWN meet  for lunch on the 2nd Thursday of each month.  For the rest of this year, it will meet at the Smokey Mountain Pizza in Nampa. I was told that the location in which the event takes place has changed occasionally, but it’s always been on the 2nd Thursday.

The group is intimate with usually less than 30 women attending, but that’s okay.  The group is friendly, they make you feel at home and it’s an opportunity to meet new people and network with the finest.

Lunch usually starts with a round table meet and greet which everyone talks about their business and what type of person will make the best referral for them.  During the meet and greet, people hand out business cards and answer questions others may have.  It is followed by a speaker or a networking game as well as the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with individuals to connect.  It is definitely a quality networking opportunity.

The National Business Women’s Network has an open Facebook page that can be found at Here.  Check them out!

Aspen’s Nampa Lunch ‘N Leads at Brick 29

Started by Aspen Morrow when there weren’t very many networking opportunities in the Treasure Valley for small or newly started businesses, her Nampa Lunch ‘N Leads is one to check out!  The group is much smaller and intimate than most of the groups currently meeting, and it takes place once a month on the 3rd Wednesday at Brick 29 Bistro located at 320 11th Avenue South in Nampa.  If you’ve never had the chance to visit Brick 29, this provides a great opportunity to check it out, have some great food and meet people.

The networking meeting is held around a long table, where everyone can share info about their business as well as who they are looking for as an ideal client or customer.  Everyone passes around business cards, and Aspen usually invites a speaker as well. During the meeting, everyone is encouraged to make one-on-one appointments with one another.

Aspen’s Nampa Lunch N’ Leads has an open group on Facebook that can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/160514194006474/.  Check it out!  It is well worth the drive from Boise and other parts of the valley.  Come for the food as well as the fellowship with other small business owners.

Local Impact Zone

The Local Impact Zone (known as LIZ), founded by Brett Labit, is a local social marketplace for small businesses in the Treasure Valley, Idaho.  With almost 1,200 members and growing, LIZ offers its members multiple ways to network and grow in both knowledge and business including LIZ Power Breakfasts in three separate locations throughout the valley and LIZ University, held at Mongo’s Grill once a month.  In addition, LIZ has a website (http://www.localimpactzone.com/) where small businesses can promote their business free of charge, a very active social group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/LIZTV/), and a weekly online magazine.

How can LIZ offer such free perks to its members?  It has a number of members who have done very well since joining who are now funding partners.  Without their contributions, LIZ would not be able offer what they do.

The basic philosophy of LiZ is similar to Social Geek – the law of reciprocity.  We can do more and succeed as a group helping one another and recommending each other’s products and services than we can do separately, even if a number of us are in the same field!  Not everyone offers the same products and services and there’s room for everyone to succeed.

Socialgeek.org

Never underestimate the power of networking through social media. Many businesses believe that once they set up a web and Facebook presence and possibly dabble in other social media, business will suddenly gravitate to them.  It doesn’t work that way.  It takes time and work.

One of the first connections I made was Socialgeek.  I found their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/socialgeek.org) and left a note.  Within fifteen minutes, I received a reply from Hinsel Scott, one Socialgeek’s founders. I found an awesome organization.  A problem I’ve had with starting a new business is you’re given so many ideas, resources and networking possibilities that it’s hard to know which are worth pursuing.  Socialgeek is one of those.

Socialgeek works on reciprocity.  You “like” and comment on their posts and the posts of other members and help them with referrals and such when you can and they do the same.  When you have a large group helping each other, each doing their own small part, the rewards can be enormous!  What’s more, there is no fee to join or be a part of Socialgeek.  You just “show up”, be friendly and help out when you can and you’re in!

Check out Socialgeek’s website at www.socialgeek.org.  That’s one of the things I need to examine much more!  Lots of great info to help out small businesses as well as “Geek Spotlights” of local businesses who have been granted Geek favor.  Definitely something to check out.

Fridays with Frank

I officially launched Socialwrites the first week of January, 2014.  As part of the process, I started heavily networking through Facebook.  I didn’t know anyone in the area and reached out with no idea what I might find.

One of the first events I encountered was Fridays with Frank.  Frank White held the events at Lucky Perk.  The write up on Facebook said to come and listen to Frank and to network with other small business owners.  It seemed a great opportunity.  It was the end of January.  I was very nervous. It was really my first time out for my business’s sake, and after being reclusive for a year and a half, I had no idea what to expect.

Frank made me feel welcome and is a great motivational speaker.  If you haven’t seen him in action, it’s a must.  As it turned out, Frank outgrew the seating at Lucky Perk not long after I started attending, and moved to the AEN Playhouse.

Friday’s with Frank is at 11:30a.m. each Friday  at the AEN Playhouse at 8001 Fairview Avenue.  You can check out Frank and his Friday event by visiting his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/frankwhiteinternational.