NorCalMarketingNews is on hiatus as they publisher is under contract with a large international PR firm and the opportunities for conflict of interest are just too great.

We’ll be back and better than ever.

Independent Practitioners – Working Globally from Sacramento

Christina Ragsdale

Is Sacramento the center of the universe? It can be, if you know how to work globally. In fact, with new tools like social media, virtual work platforms, and communication tools like webcasting and Skype, it’s almost impossible not to. But if you have yet to expand your network, you may be asking yourself, why bother? What can it bring to you, and how much effort will it take? These are important questions for independent practitioners when you only have so many hours to get it all done.

From my perspective, the expanded network and capabilities are even more important when the economy is challenged. Why? Because you need to cast a wider net to secure work – and if you have the capability of working with that East Coast or UK or Pacific Rim client through technology – that’s money in your pocket and work in your portfolio.

If you’re ready to try – how do you begin? As someone who is not a ‘digital native’ – I began several years ago doing ‘reverse mentoring’ with some younger professionals who wanted me to mentor them in other areas. I can say in retrospect, it was a great investment and one that has paid off for me in a larger network of contacts for work referrals, hiring and professional development that I never would have gained any other way.

One way to start is by selecting one of the business networking sites; LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc. and building a profile page there. Then search for colleagues – preferably those you don’t regularly run into and those who are in other cities, states and countries. This allows you to start a dialog that can lead to client referrals, innovative ideas and collaborations, and even more contacts.  It’s amazing to see what can happen when this reaches ‘critical mass’ and things start feeding into you. This happens at different times depending how active and vigilant you choose to be – but can begin almost immediately if you are proactive, strategic and targeted with your contacts. And you can do this all comfortably from your office – without ever leaving Sacramento.

Christina Ragsdale, MA, APR is a longtime Sacramento independent public relations practitioner with clients working in many time zones.

Guest columns are submitted by local marketing professionals. To contribute your own guest column contact norcalmarketingnews@gmail.com.