I love the internet.
Obviously - otherwise you wouldn't be reading this! :)
I love social media (here I am on Facebook and Twitter) and I love being able to email people anytime of the day or night (as my team know!).
But that said, my business also has to have a 'real world' aspect to it too. And not just a once a year outing either!
It was interesting that at the weekend I was attending an event with a room full of people learning about social media. Where of course the irony was that we were all IN A ROOM and not on the internet connecting on social media instead (although I'll be honest there were a few Facebook friend requests flying around!).
And this is really important to remember - the internet is there to HELP you with your business - to sell for you, to connect for you, to maintain relationships, to find new relationships (business or otherwise!), to share who you are and what you do, to have fun, to reach the places you can't reach, and more. But it very rarely can replace the real world entirely. You might sell online but you'll still need to meet people sometimes for a higher level of service or connection (or at least speak to them on the phone, or, OK on Skype - I'll allow that!).
When I'm working with clients on their 'media Thing' (the way they best like to communicate that's easy and effortless which we turn into their marketing) I always ask them to pick online AND offline (i.e. 'real world') ways to make this happen.
Yes the internet has made running a business 'look' totally different and has given every single entrepreneur global reach - the chance of a truly international business from their own backyard, but it also needs to have roots in the real world.
All of my business heroes run events, or speak on stage, or have a way to work with them 'in person'. You need to ground your business in the 'real world' AND take advantage of all the internet has to offer.
I absolutely love it when people I've only ever connected with online are stood right in front of me and we have a conversation. It shows the power of the internet and having a great online presence as we are instantly connected and 'there' to make the magic happen when we meet. This means the time you do spend in the 'real world' can be really focused and connected.
For me a successful business is one that has great relationships - with clients, with partners, with prospects, with it's own staff, and with the 'real world'.
Take a look at where you can add a bit more of the 'real world' into your business and see the difference it can make.
And yes, that may mean you have to step out from behind your computer screen... just for a little bit :)
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