I run a busy blog and reviewer community. Whilst I have managed to build up my business from little or no marketing budget and build several long-term relationships with clients and reviewers, I felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing. At the start of 2024, I made a commitment to myself and my business which was to aim to actively network consistently during 2024 and beyond. I was already a member of the main Mums in Business International Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/
MIB have local networking events in several countries including the UK. One of the local MIB networking groups that I am a member of is the MIB Blackburn networking group. To start off with I was just active virtually within the Facebook group. I can be shy, so I must admit to feeling a bit apprehensive about attending an in-person networking event, but I know how important it is to get my business out there. I am mum to 2 school aged children. I am the only adult in my household, and I do not have any family locally. MIB is perfect for my circumstances as I can take my children along to MIB’s child friendly networking events. MIB isn’t limited to mums either. Any women in business are welcome.
Having made the commitment to attend an in-person MIB networking event, sometime in late February 2024 I set off on my journey to Blackburn. I do want to mention at this point how affordable the local in-person MIB networking events are. I paid £18.00; however, it would have cost £15.00 if I did not book so last minute. The venue where the networking event was being held was easy to find. We were in a cosy section of the restaurant. In one corner was a table where MIB members could display any products that they sell. The evening was well structured. I found the guest speaker to be very informative, approachable, and helpful. Some MIB members ordered some food. We then had the opportunity to talk about our business for a few minutes. One lucky person won a prize kindly provided by the Spotlight sponsor. It was the MIB Blackburn leader’s last event as leader. A new leader has since taken over for Blackburn and the surrounding areas. The new leader is as lovely as the old leader. I met some fantastic ladies at the event, one or more of whom I have connected with since. I needn’t have worried about being shy as I was made to feel so welcome. Attendees were so lovely to both my sons and me. My hope is to start regularly attending in-person MIB networking events, so much so that I have applied to become a MIB leader of my local area myself.
MIB networking is not limited to in-person local networking events through. There are opportunities to post/respond to posts in the main MIB Facebook group as well as in some of the local networking Facebook groups. I am a member of MIB Success Hub, which I would whole heartedly recommend. One week a month there is an online networking event. I have found this to be a fantastic way of making not just new connections but new friends. MIB Success Hub currently costs just £27.00 a month. Success Hub – MIB International – Women Mums In Business Supporting Mums Women In Business There are so many past training sessions available within the MIB Success Hub Facebook group too as well as opportunities to post/respond to posts. I have just written part of this blog post during this month’s co-working session. One week a month there is a Masterclass with Leona Burton herself and one week a month there is a guest speaker session. Leona has also kindly put on a couple of hot seating sessions on a different day of the week where we had the opportunity to ask her questions.
I have also been lucky enough to attend some free online events kindly put on by MIB. I attended a couple of days of MIB Social Media School live as well as a How To Influence The Masses event more recently. I caught up with one day of Social Media School after the event. MIB have a free coffee and chat online event Monday evenings at 7.30pm where you can network with other women/mums. They have recently had a fantastic MIB UK tour with larger events in several areas of the UK. These looked amazing but I did not attend one myself.
I love being active within the MIB community. Having the opportunity to get to know so many lovely new women has meant the absolute world to me. Working from home can be lonely at times. Co-working today put a massive smile on my face and has brightened up my whole day. Some MIB members have become reviewers/Guest reviewers for my business, others have showed interest in having my business review their product/s or in writing a guest post for my blog. It is still early days and relationships take time to nurture. 2024 website statistics wise, I have noticed some really promising increases in visits on some days to what tends to be the usual for visits numbers. I would consider buying gifts from the businesses of MIB members in the future or using the services of MIB members to support their businesses. My business is Toys and Clothes Limited t/a whatsgoodtodo.com.
Credit to Debbie Talbot
