Do you dread networking? Even though we know that networking may not be at the top of your priority list, everyone knowns networking ultimately helps you grow your business. Jenna Curry recently taught a Forge webinar about the power of networking! Jenna is the owner of Remedy Digital Agency and we are recapping the highlights from her teaching. You can watch the full recording here.
Jenna Curry, Owner of Remedy Digital Agency
How can networking get you…
friendships
clients
referral
partners
board members
donors
employees
free advice
free stuff
In order to network effectively, you want to bring your best energy to each opportunity.
For networking to work, you must connect! Here’s how:
Have a “give first” mindset- see how much of an impact you can make on others
The only self-serving goal should be to find at least 1 thing you can learn from someone to apply to your business/life
Know your value and determine what value you bring to each situation
Know the problem your business solves for your customer and your customer’s customer
Care about the people you network with
Exercise that energy/value
Focus on getting to the next step on the ladder instead of sealing the deal
Networking with Mixtroz at our IWD 2020 event
Getting Started with Intentional Networking:
1. Make a list of your next 10 dream clients
2. Write out what time, knowledge, gift or access can you provide to your ‘Future Dream 10’ Clients?
3. Write out who, what, where, and when for each person you want to impact
4. Start making contact and keeping track (using a CRM or Google sheet) of who, what, where, and when for each.
5. Iterate and repeat
6. Grow your contacts and grow your business!
Jenna told us to ask ourselves, how can you leverage your energy?
Emotions: send encouraging messages, pay attention, give feedback
Time: volunteer and show up!
Knowledge: offer a free training, a guide, “how to”
Monetary: gift or offer
Access: to a connection, space, to information, to a following, a community, an event
Connect- Virtual Networking Meeting
What time, knowledge, gift or access can you provide to your ‘Future Dream 10’ Clients?
Who can you thank today? Take time to send a text or write a personalized thank you card!
Here are some things that Jenna has personally done to grow her own network:
start a networking group
share wins for myself and others on social media
host a ladies night
host a training
volunteer for events (show up early, stay late)
join a business book club
treat friends to golf
write an article
host/attend a fundraising table lunch
write a review
send a thoughtful gift
invite someone to a Zoom lunch where she had lunch delivered
refer business
and much more!
Don’t forget to thank people profusely!
Forge recently launched Connect– a weekly virtual networking meeting. We wanted to create a way that you can conveniently make new connections to ultimately grow your business! Connect is open to the public and meetings are Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00pm. You can still sign up as a Founding Member (at a discounted rate of $15/month) through March 31. April 1 price will go up to $25/month.
Thank you Jenna for sharing your wisdom and experience with networking! Be sure to check out Remedy Digital Agency– look at their blog for lots of helpful resources!
By this point, you’ve heard of coworking but you may still be wondering what are the benefits and is it really worth it? We’re here to tell you a little more!
Coworking spaces exist for all types of workers- freelancers, writers, independent entrepreneurs, remote workers, etc. So if you’re all working independently, how does the coworking environment really benefit anyone?
Coworking gives you an opportunity to observe and learn from others who also value their freedom.
Working in close proximity allows you to network and even collaborate with professionals in your own field and in others.
Not only are you avoiding loneliness, research shows that your productivity will grow while working in a coworking space instead of at home or in a coffee shop. It’s good to separate work from home where there’s no real accountability. The energy you will experience in a coworking space will inspire you and keep you accountable at the same time.
A coworking space will help you take your work more seriously. It’s important to have a dedicated space to focus on work and it’s also smart to get out of your pajamas or yoga pants and come into a workspace!
You can also impress potential clients by holding meetings in the conference rooms provided at the coworking space. You would rather your first impression be a professional space rather than your home or a coffee shop!
Coworking spaces are the perfect atmosphere for growing your team. Just because you hire a new employee doesn’t mean you need to get a dedicated office- you can continue using open space and rent meeting rooms when necessary. We’ve seen that half of Forge members have grown their business since joining the space!
The list of advantages goes on and on: free coffee, super fast wifi, access to printing, educational and networking events, and much more. Coworking may be the perfect solution for your business so schedule a tour of Forge if you haven’t already!
After opening in September of 2017, Forge has grown and changed more than we could have imagined! We’ve learned so much over 2018 and thought it would be fun to recap the highlights of the Forge family over this last year.
We’ve saved a lot of entrepreneurs and remote workers from overcrowded, stuffy coffee shops. Our members love coming to Forge’s atmosphere with an unlimited supply of coffee and tea- plus a fun community of hustlers!
here’s what Forge can save you from
The size of the Forge family has continued to grow over 2018!
In January, we had 67 members.
In December, we have 121 members!
We have nearly doubled in size.
Celebrating Forge’s 1st birthday with some members and friends.
This year we hosted 22 educational Lunch & Learn events!
Josh Andrews of Gatehouse Law teaches at Forge each month.
In 2018 we hosted 12 Free Fridays for the public to come work at Forge! Free Fridays are the perfect time for people to try out coworking and experience the environment at Forge.
Forge also hosted 4 pitch night events to learn about new Birmingham businesses- Your Big Idea.
At Your Big Idea, three businesses present their big idea for feedback from the audience and panelists. It’s not a competition but an opportunity to support the growing businesses in Birmingham!
Your Big Idea: a pitch night for Birmingham businesses.
We organized 5 Founders Fridays to hear the journey of different Birmingham founders.
Erin Holtz- Founder of Pure Fitness
Not only do we focus on educational events to serve our members but we host lots of the fun, networking events. Along with several happy hours, we’ve also held yoga and pilates classes. The wine and chocolate pairing event with Match Chocolate was one of our favorites!
Kala Northrup- Founder of Match Chocolate
Free pilates class taught by Club Pilates
We love celebrating holidays around Forge- it’s a great excuse for a happy hour or friendly competition between Forge members!
Decorating pumpkins at Halloween
Pie competition to celebrate Thanksgiving
Holiday party with Forge friends and homemade eggnog
We’ve also doubled our monthly conference room bookings! Forge opens up its conference rooms and meeting spaces for both members and visitors.
The Vulcan Room with seating for 8 people
We truly love building the coworking community in Birmingham and connecting with entrepreneurs across the city. We can’t wait to see how the Forge family grows and what’s in store for 2019!
If you’re interested in trying out a Coworking Membership, join us in January! Buy one month and get the second month FREE! Email us for details: info@workatforge.com
Forge is the first coworking space or “shared” office space in downtown Birmingham! According to Forbes, there are currently more than 11,000 coworking spaces in the United States. It was projected that by 2020 we would see more than 26,000 spaces hosting 3.8 million people! With the rise of millennial entrepreneurs, shared office space is more and more appealing for many reasons.
If you aren’t familiar with the idea of coworking, let us give you more information. Multiple businesses work from Forge whether they are in a private office or working with a membership in our common space. Every member has access to our conference rooms, phone booths, networking and educational events. Almost like a gym membership, Forge members pay a monthly membership fee for access to our space. Our membership costs range from $189-325 a month- far less than your average office space.
Keep reading! We’ll tell you why coworking is a great investment for your business.
1. Networking
Get ready to brainstorm and connect with other entrepreneurs who are working on projects and similar challenges. Also join in on the social events a coworking space offers- happy hours, food tastings and much more.
2. Flexibility
Coworking spaces are designed to accommodate growth! You can easily start with a smaller membership and move up to a full-time membership or private office if your company needs it. If you need to cancel your membership, you can! Generally it’s just less commitment for you.
3. Affordability
Coworking spaces cost a fraction of a traditional office space lease! If you need to add additional items like a mailbox, you can. If you’ve been working from coffee shops, I bet you’ll save money with the free Revelator coffee offered at Forge! Also things like cleaning and maintenance are handled by the company, giving you less responsibility.
4. Service.
Coworking spaces are familiar with the needs of a startup and provide resources to help your business grow. Forge’s Lunch & Learn event topics have ranged from Accounting to Online Marketing to Instagram for your Business. Forge staff is available to serve your business’ specific needs!
This infographic sums up a lot of the advantages to coworking. Avoid the distractions and isolation of your home office. Steer clear of the unreliable wifi and inconveniences of a coffee shop. Increase your productivity in a shared work space!
Hear from some of our visitors and members…
“What a fantastic place to meet like-minded entrepreneurs and grow your business network! Forge also has a variety of offices available for rent, including a penthouse workspace that was perfect for my team of 10 coming from out of town.”
Justin
“I have really enjoyed working at Forge. Forge allows me to focus better than I’m able to at home. I feel more connected to what’s going on in the city.”
Adam
“Since joining Forge, our business activity has sky rocketed, I’ve created relationships (professionally and cordially), and my productivity has never been better. Needless to say, being around a community of other hustlers can certainly rub off on your work ethic.”
