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Self Assessment: Should You Defer Your Second Payment On Account?

Our latest affiliate is  Go Simple Tax who are offering our mastermind group (The Insiders – learn more here) a 10% discount on all of their packages. They will also be writing for us so together we can help you stay up to date on what you need to do….

For those that are new to the Self Assessment tax return process, payments on account are one of the most common stumbling blocks. Despite being introduced as an initiative to help taxpayers spread their tax payments, it often results in annual frustration and can actually harm your cash flow if you’re caught unaware.

That’s why, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HMRC announced that they would allow taxpayers to defer their second payment on account (that would have normally been due on 31^st July 2020). It is hoped that this gives taxpayers the chance to prepare. But is that the right course of action? We’ve brought in Mike Parkes from GoSimpleTax to set the record straight.

What is a payment on account?

Payments on account are advance payments towards your next tax bill. They’re calculated based on the amount that you paid the previous year.

HMRC splits this amount into two, and places the deadline for payment six months apart from one another. For the 2019/20 tax year, the first was due by midnight on 31^st January 2020, and the second would normally be made by midnight on the 31^st July 2020.

This latter payment is what can now be deferred, as long as it is eventually paid by the 31^st January 2021.

If you had a £5,000 tax bill for the 2018/19 tax year, for instance, you would need to make two £2,500 payments on account towards your 2019/20 tax bill.

But if your 2018/19 Self Assessment bill was less than £1,000 or if over 80% was deducted at source (such as employment), then you will not need to make a payment on account – you would simply need to pay any outstanding tax by the 31^st January.

What are your options?

If you are required to make payments on account, you will still need to pay your second one. Although, as HMRC has offered taxpayers the opportunity to delay this, you can choose to make your second payment as late as the 31^st January 2021, alongside the submission of your Self Assessment tax return.

HMRC will not charge any interest or penalties should you choose to do this. However, by delaying your second payment to January, you do run the risk of having to fulfil all your tax responsibilities at once. This could result in you having insufficient funds in place to cover all your tax liabilities.

Your therefore have three options:

Pay in accordance with the original July deadline

If you can afford to pay your tax bill as you would do normally, you should do. If anything, it creates a sense of ‘business as usual’ in an otherwise tumultuous time.

I appreciate that, for many, paying in July will harm their cash flow. However, it is my view that clearing debt where possible is more sustainable and allows January to mark the start of a new financial year – and a fresh start.

Reassess and reduce liability

If you’re doubtful that you can afford a second payment on account right now, calculate your 2019/20 tax liability before the 31^st July 2020. This will confirm the actual amount to be paid in July 2020, January 2021 and July 2021, and give you clarity. To do this, you need to file your 2019/20 Self Assessment tax return early.

Filing early won’t mean that you have to pay your tax bill early, after all – but it does allow you to determine what your total tax bill will be ahead of time. From here, you can consider two key points:

1. Does the July 2020 payment on account need to be deferred?
2. Do the January 2021 and July 2021 payments on account (for the 2020/21 tax year) need reducing to reflect the impact that COVID-19 has had on them?

Defer to later in the year

Of course, there will be some cases that are unable or unwilling to pay anything towards their tax bill in July now that they can defer. In this instance, it’s important that they are reminded of the Self Assessment late penalties should they wish to push this all the way back to 31^st January and be unable to make payment at that time.

Deferring could have an impact on cash flow in 2020/21. If you are also VAT-registered and have deferred your VAT payment, then it is worth noting that this also needs to be paid by 31^st March 2021.

Ultimately, it falls to you to make the decision that best suits you. However, it is my view that, by planning your 2021/22 payments now, you will be in a much safer position.

About GoSimpleTax

With GoSimpleTax, business owners can get a clear picture of their obligations. All your income can be logged in an easy-to-understand format, and their software will highlight areas where you can potentially reduce your tax liability through tax relief.

Register for their free trial today and stay abreast of all the latest tax changes. When you’re ready to file your Self Assessment tax return, upgrade to their full service and submit straight to HMRC.

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Data Protection Shocker!

We caused an Insiders hot post. All we asked was “Can we check you have all registered with the ICO?”

When the data protection laws were updated in May 2018 we spent many many months in the lead up to this ensuring everyone attending our events or reading our blogs were aware that it was highly unlikely they had a business that would be exempt and would have to take action.

We even ran an update masterclass session in late 2019 with Adavista who deliver our data protection policies and advice to check everyone knew how to process data and how it is good for business when you get it right, not forgetting how costly it is if you get it wrong!

Did you know for instance not being registered with ICO could cost you a £400 instant fine?

So we were a little surprised when we discovered that business owners were still not registered. We work closely with Robyn Banks to ensure we help you access the best quality advice neccesary to be compliant. Here Robyn Shares a few key points to get you started. And even if you answer no, I’ve not done that! to every single point, don’t panic, we are here to help. Post to the Insiders and Robyn (who is also an Insider) will help. Our Insiders have all experienced so much in business so they will have advice on what to do too. (Not just someone random on Facebook who heard it at networking event once!)

Here are a few key points to consider;

1. The ICO fee is not the only part of data protection compliance – have you considered other documentation?”
2. Are your emails compliant with e-privacy regulations?
3. What about a Privacy Notice?  Do you know for sure yours has the correct info in it?”
4. How long and technical is our Privacy Notice?  Legal jargon should NOT be there!”
5. If the Privacy Notice is longer than a side and half of A4 – is anyone going to read it?”
6. The more detail you put into a Privacy Notice, the more loopholes you are creating for exploitation – that doesn’t protect your business!”
7. Is your use of data documented appropriately?  Does int include all the concepts it should?”

Everything covered here in these data protection/GDPR tips is legal requirement – At BWN we don’t want you to get caught out!  Robyn Banks doesn’t either  – which is why she is an Affiliate and offers a discount to BWN on her already low fees.

How long does it take to get legal?

For our own policies and registration it took us 1.5 hours to become compliant! We had a conversation with Robyn who wanted to know how we process information and where we store your data. Then Robyn went off and wrote tailor made documentation for our business. And then we updated our website and email accordingly.

Simple.

And not worth the risk of  thousands of £s in fines – £400 is only for not paying the fee and the tip of the iceberg in terms of non-compliance.!

To join the Insiders click here. You can ask Robyn anything. Robyn is a very active Insiders member and keen to help all businesses be legal when it comes to data protection. If you missed her interview on BWN TV – with a mention of helping to land a British Airways plane in Russia at the age of 21! You can watch that here.

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Cabinet Office Latest Update

Througout lock down and Covid 19 times the Cabinet office writes to us so we can update our members.

This is the latest email dated 24.6.20, 9.42am

“Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Tuesday 23rd June) set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs.

From Saturday 4th July, the Prime Minister has announced that:

1) Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines – updated guidance for all workplace settings can be found here: https://bit.ly/sectorsocialdist

2) Two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures – updated guidance on social distancing can be found here: https://bit.ly/SDUpdated

3) People can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites – guidance on opening up the visitor economy can also be found here: https://bit.ly/sectorsocialdist

4) In order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres – guidance on opening up the visitor economy can also be found here: https://bit.ly/sectorsocialdist

Following a review, the Prime Minister has also set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission. 

You can find the full press release here: https://bit.ly/PMPressNotice

The Prime Minister has shared the following tweet to outline which businesses can reopen from 4th July. We would appreciate you retweeting on your own channels where possible: https://bit.ly/4thJulyTweet

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Update; Can I really take my business online?

We first heard from Sarah from Sarah Everett Photography in late April. Sarah bravely admitted that lock down and Covid 19 were damaging her business mindset as she balanced business, 3 young children and her husband’s business too. Not surprising right?

We knew it was going to be tough for many of our members and so we ended March looking at ways to grow your business even if we couldn’t physically network with you.

In all our networking events we added a 1 hour free coaching from our Founder Mandie Holgate (international coach, author and speaker) and we have heard some great results that business women are getting and here Sarah shares a fabulous update on how her business is growing excitingly in these new, challenging times.

“Thank you again for inviting me to be a part of the BWN blog. It’s been a great boost to be featured in the media. Things are starting to pick up and hopefully that continues. Here’s what happened for me since that networking event in April…

A photograph of my daughter playing hopscotch was chosen from over 3000 entries by Historic England as part of their collection Picturing Lockdown. Just 100 public images were chosen.

I have to admit I was beaming from ear to ear when I got that email!

I had to keep this amazing news to myself for 3 entire weeks, until the day the collection went public. And what a day that was! I had no idea that my image was to appear on both BBC Look East and ITV Anglia, including my name being mentioned. I even had a congratulations tweet from Will Quince.

I created this image whilst on the way home from capturing some of my neighbours as part of my Doorstep Diary. Having this beautiful photo of my daughter entered into their archives was made extra special to me since she has accompanied me on each photo walk with her little notepad of addresses.

Next came something I’ve never done before, I decided to contact the Gazette to see if they’d like to run a story about me. To my delight they came back to me with a yes, they would like to cover this on a two page spread! A lovely bit of positive news amongst all the difficulties we are all facing. Turned out it was on the centre page, it still feels a bit surreal.

But it’s taught me never to shy away from contacting the media, they are simply normal people with a job to do. I gave them a lovely story complete with images – now to be framed on my office wall as a reminder.”

We are so pleased to hear of Sarah’s successful project, achievement and free PR. Over on the Insiders (Our confidential mastermind group – learn more here) we have been looking at how to help you be a thought leader and get in the press. And Sarah is not the first Insider to get her first free PR this month! We are very proud to support you and will do all we can to protect the success of women in business.

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Business Women – What to do on those tough I quit days

We love our members and our coordinators. Here Lisa Hardy who hosts our Suffolk BWN networking events gets real about home schooling, many business hats, networking, staying motivated and days when you want to say “Oh sod it, let’s play int the pool….”

“I don’t know how you guys are feeling. I have been really pleased with myself, and my family, with our adjustment to lock down life this past 7,8,9 who knows weeks. Yes, there have been hick ups. Lets face it your either born to home school or your not.

No surprises, I’m not. We have made it work in our own way, just like every family out there. Hubster at home all day, well a work related accident kept him at home most of last year. Turns out, we quite like spending time together and enjoy each others company, who knew?  When we need space, I have the office, he has his garage aka The Dork Fort.  Finding a solution to the issue, it seems, is little used strength of mine. My mantra has emerged as – we don’t need perfect, we need suitable. It is on the right side of positive so I see it as a plus.

Here it comes……..BUT I just don’t know what has happened to my mindset these last few days.

Its like the drive, power and ‘can do’ attitude, that have filled my many lock down days so far, left when the wheelie bins were emptied on Friday afternoon. It got me a little worried. I am going to be a fully paid up, card carrying member of the work from home  gang for quite a while to come. What if I have hit a wall and that is the end of my motivation?

Pfft…………….Get a grip Hardy.

Is this the first time I have ever lost my focus? No! Its not like I didn’t have “I cant be arsed days” before 23rd March 2020, so why are these two days worrying me so much now?

My guess, and it really is a guess at this stage,  is that normally when I am losing my way, I get out with people. In short, I rely on the events that allow me to network.  That gathering of people with a hunger to be social , is the perfect butt kick for my flawed focus.

As the Suffolk events Coordinator of The Business Womens Network I am still networking weekly, in the virtual sense, but I miss the inspiration physically being with people creates.

I am not going to beat myself up, force myself to sit in the office until my new mantra becomes “just get it done and over with”. Instead, it seems, I am going to pour my head and its contents out into this piece, make a cuppa and sit and watch my girls enjoy the sunshine and their new paddling pool.

Because there is always tomorrow to sort out the work”.

To keep in touch with our wonderful coordinator Lisa Hardy 07736284514

Lisa is a Tropics Ambassador, Lead Role Actor Responsive Roles, Coordinator Ipswich & Felixstowe Business Womens Network and owner of a hair dressers and beauty salon – because hey she has nothing better to do. You see we get busy, we get stressed, we get that fear of how do I grow a business in lock down. And because of this we know how to help you grow no matter what you and your company face.

See you at a business growth, kick butt (with love) event this month. Don’t forget all events have a free hour coaching from our Founder Mandie Holgate – which could answer why no one stays unmotivated and unfocused for long!

www.tropicskincare.co.uk/lisahardy ID:002343

https://cleanlivingint.com/lhardy

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WE Connect Opportunities for Women In Business

Business opportunities for women-owned suppliers across Europe
WEConnect International is a corporate-led non-profit and their goal is to connect more majority women owned businesses into the corporate supply chain. Their corporate members represent $1 trillion in annual purchasing power and are true pioneers in inclusive sourcing and more information can be found on their website: http://weconnectinternational.org/. WEConnect International currently has the following business opportunities – if you are a majority owned women’s business that could provide any of these requirements, please get in touch with Emma Duncan, Outreach and Event Manager for Europe on eduncan@weconnectinternational.org by Tuesday 2^nd June – thank you!

Packaging suppliers including:

• On shelf printed packaging: flexible (bags) and cartons (boxes)
• Shipper cases: corrugated boxes
• Injection moulding
• Tertiary packaging: stretch films, tapes, stickers
• Customized packaging for displays (on shelf)

Hygiene materials including:

• Non-wovens: spunbond, spunlace and carded
• Product films
• Adhesives

Raw materials producers (not traders) including:

• Resins: PE, PET and PP, recycled resins
• Fibres: plastic or natural based
• Cellulose
• Super absorbent materials

Contract manufacturers producing fem care products including:

• Tampons and pads and liners – particularly with naturals/sustainable solutions

Packing suppliers including:

• Primary packing – (filling and form, fil seal); bottle making equipment; flexible packaging (sachets, flow wrappers, stackers and baggers)
• Secondary packing – wrapping, labelling, cartoning machines
• End of line equipment – palletizing, case packing, pick and place

Material handling equipment suppliers such as forklifts, AGV, conveyors and racking

Assembly suppliers e.g. converting, dust control equipment, glue equipment, printing/inks etc.

Production related suppliers who can supply skids, tanks, utilities, chillers, welding and heat exchangers etc.

Facilities management related suppliers across Europe (especially in the UK and Germany) including:

• Cleaning
• Gardening
• Janitorial
• Security
• Catering
• Building installations and maintenance
• Waste disposal

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Updated Covid 19 Small Business Support from Cabinet Office

We get updates from many official bodies and do not alter the content, just share in its entirety. Please feel free to share and we have experts on hand for you to make sense of all this too, please feel free to share to our mastermind group for confidential advice.

A number of announcements to draw your attention to today…

1. Coronavirus Bounce Back Loans
The Bounce Back Loan scheme is now open for applications. Key details:

• Businesses can borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.
• The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.
• Loan terms will be up to 6 years.
• The government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan.
• The scheme will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders

Details on how to apply are here: https://bit.ly/BounceBackLoanApply

Please do share the HMT launch tweet through your network: https://bit.ly/BounceBackLaunch

2. Small Business Grants
To support eligible businesses in England to access the small business grants, BEIS have created a toolkit with regional graphics and messaging. 

Use the following links with any social media activity:

East Midlands: https://bit.ly/3aX6N5Y

West Midlands: https://bit.ly/2yZQtEi

East of England: https://bit.ly/3f96lFi

A new discretionary fund has also been announced, which will help small businesses with ongoing fixed property related costs. Please find further details here: https://bit.ly/BizGrantTopup.

Businesses can check eligibility using the financial support checker tool: https://bit.ly/CVCheckerTool

3. HMRC Tax credits

Tax credits customers will continue to receive payments even if working fewer hours or furloughed due to COVID-19. Please find further details here and circulate amongst your employees: https://bit.ly/TaxCreditsPN.

4. HMRC Self-employment eligibility tool
This week HMRC will start contacting customers who may be eligible for the new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The scheme will allow customers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500, equivalent to three months’ profits.

Customers can claim if they’re a self-employed individual, or a member of a business partnership, their business has been adversely impacted by coronavirus.

Customers can check eligibility using the self-employed checker tool: https://bit.ly/SelfEmployTool

Please do share this HMRC tweet through your network: https://bit.ly/SEISSTweet

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New mindsets for Covid business success

Sarah Everett got in touch after our most recent virtual networking event to say;

“Thank you so much for all your support so far. More than anything for getting me in a better mindset to push forward. “

In our new coaching hour we shared some ideas for Sarah to grow her business and set every business owner homework to help them be accountable to their plans in these tough times. It’s not easy working out how to sell when you are used to physically being with your clients in the same room. Here Sarah shares more about her business, her passion and her future Covid – 19 proof plans…

I’m capturing my neighbours for free from the safety of their doorsteps and through their windows. Through the window images are my new favourite way to capture children! It’s allowed me to keep on being creative and what an incredible way to meet my neighbours, people I doubt I would have spoken to before this. Life is simply too busy usually right?!

A few families asked me if they could pay me and as amazing as that is I am all too aware that their are many families in much worse positions than ours. So instead a donation to charity can be made instead and is absolutely not a requirement for taking part.

Which charity?

Choosing the charity took a little while, their are so many worthwhile of our support during this time. I dug deep searching for what means most to me. Children are at the centre of my business and through this time my thoughts have often wondered about those who are struggling in a variety of households.

I’ve therefore settled on Action for Children. This quote from their website decided it for me;

“We work to make sure more children have the best start in life, good mental health, and safe and loving homes.”

This project is ongoing and you can follow it on Instagram (@saraheverettphotography see highlights) and on my Facebook page.

Off the back of this and through the networking event I’m looking at some exciting ideas to help small businesses look great online and how to work with families remotely because no matter what happens people want to capture those precious moments with their new borns to their grandparents and now more than ever those photos will be priceless telling a kinder story about this tough time.

I will be back at The BWN very soon to tell you more and if you’d like to get involved in my photography and see my art, I’d love to connect. Juggling 3 children and a business is not easy but I’ve also realised I’m not alone and I’m looking forward to telling you about the new ways I can make your business look gorgeous online and capture those magic moments with your familly.

To learn more and support Sarah’s charity work visit –
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarah-everett-photography

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Transform your business through data

We recently had Business and Local Government Data Research Centre’s Laura Brooks virtually deliver a masterclass on data in our businesses and how to get more out of that data. Every BWN event has time to freely network, learn new skills and a chance to talk about your business to promote it too.

It was an interactive session aimed at business owners to help us see how the information we already have in our business can be used to help you sell more, find new trends and reduce costs.

As Insiders its imperative we help you in every way that we can. So we hope this PDF of Laura Brooks slideshow is useful to you too.

You can get in touch with Laura via the last 2 slides too.

All of our networking and business growth events are going ahead and while they are logistically for Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, North London and Warwickshire business owners, now we have business owners joining us remotely from as far away as Dubai! Do join us. As one business woman said this week;

“This is by far the best virtual networking I’ve ever done, it’s better than anything else out there!”

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Easy Ways To Get New Clients With Online Networking

Well 1 month of online networking and it’s divided the network, the nation and possibly the world. Thankfully not literally. However, we have heard from many business men and women (yes men attend our events every month too.) and opinion is split;

Half of you are loving online networking and half of you are hating it.

Jill Roberson the Eco Queen from Tropic Skin care said “I’m loving it, I can interact with so many more people”

But Jill like myself seems to be getting a different experience to many who privately messaged to say things like;

“Mandie I don’t want to talk to everyone about what is happening for me. I don’t know everyone well enough to do that. I just don’t’ have the confidence.”

“Mandie there is so much free stuff out there, I’m overwhelmed by it all.”

“I’m networking so much to try and bring in business and I think I’m just a busy fool. I’m getting really down.”

And these are just some of the comments I received when I ran a quick poll this morning. So from someone who is gaining new business and new opportunities through networking at The BWN (And so far it’s the only place I’ve had time to network despite being on lock down since the 11^th of March) I want to share some ways to get more out of networking (wherever you chose to do it.)

1. Why are you there?

One of the reasons people are feeling overwhelmed is because they’ve not considered why they are networking. If you are an Insider (Our confidential mastermind group – £5 a month so hopefully affordable to all) you will know I “bang on” about your reasons for doing what you do – Who do you need to speak to? Who are your ideal customers? How much do you want to earn? What do you need? How do you connect with your customers? What do they need to hear from you? Question are question but these build up to help you stay focused on your business plans and goals and not get distracted. Distraction is a massive problem right now. Which leads me on to….

2. Distractions.

In one week I was invited to 30+ new groups for networking and business growth. 30! I could spend my life just chatting in these groups getting nothing done. Here’s the thing as my coaching clients will tell you when you have a laser focused plan of action and the goals are crystal clear in your head you are less likely to go in every direction available to you right now. It’s no surprise that people are gardening and baking and not working because it can be overwhelming working out what to do next?

On the Insiders there are some work sheets that look at how to set goals and stick with them. And then if marketing is on the agenda there are worksheets to help you plan and action that too. When you know what you are doing and why you are doing it your networking strategy is easier to stick with. And best of all with the right networking and support when you wonder if you should go in the right direction you know you will get the right answers to stay focused.

3. Be honest in our own way

As someone who is many people’s confidant, I know that people don’t share even a third of who they are most of the time. That is not because they are trying to hide who they are, more likely they don’t feel comfortable or like to discuss personal things in public. I get that. If this is you the small group chats and one to one moments where you get to catch up with the networkers you know the best can be harder. You can’t turn to someone that is talking and say “Excuse me. Jane has known me for 8 years and I need to just have a heart to heart with her right now.”

For the record networking that enables all conversations is usually more powerful because in my experience of coaching; personal life, emotions and home life can all massively impact on business success. That is why when you need to talk honestly the Insiders is perfect. We’ve seen some amazing conversations there. (I wish I could tell you more but it’s confidential.) and you need groups like that. Not the “Likers” who just love everything you do – never been to your page, phoned you or are interesting in buying from you but habitually like everyone in the hope it will help grow their business (That strategy doesn’t work by the way.) You can also message me anytime, so be honest with people. You don’t have to explain, just arrange to finish the networking session with a 1 2 1 phone call or messenger chat – impromptu and personal. If that’s what you need ask for it. I’ve had so many 1 2 1’s since lock in (I don’t call it lock down, lock in is more fun.) Another benefit I feel. I’m getting to know so many of you so well.

4. Free doesn’t mean good.

Alas as many of you are telling us free doesn’t mean good. It’s lovely to sit around and have a chat but now we’ve got to work harder to grow our businesses and for some come up with a whole new range of products and services, your time is more valuable than ever. As one networker told me;

“I’m was very busy but busy was not equating to leads, sales or opportunities. I’m going to just stick with the BWN.”

Find out how the networking is organised. Sometimes we need time to just chat with people but at the BWN you also get business ops – telling you about events around the country (often that you can attend through us for free) and PR opportunities and time to speak to the audience and a master class that is around a key area of business growth and development. Despite organising all of our speakers in 2019 for 2020, we’ve gone back and looked to ensure every speaker is tailored to these unique scary times, so we know you are not wasting your time by being with us. We highly recommend you grade the quality of the networking you do over the coming month – that way you can work out what is working. And remember it’s not just about getting leads – good networking should empower you, motivate you, keep you bang on trend and help you learn new skills too.

5. At the event.

Mute or hide if you like – it is not easy working from home, and do you know what? We really don’t mind the dog barking, the cat on the table or the kids needing help with their homework or to negotiate the sharing of the ipad. We love you and your business and that includes who you are. But if it is all too much, you can mute your mike and even turn your camera off and just listening. We won’t be offended. Work with us in the way that works for you.

It’s behind you! Unlike real world networking you can make your environment as branded as your business. So get your banner up. If you are an interior designer or photographer give us a wall of beauty. If you are a personal trainer, feel free to be standing up during the session having a stretch. Be mindful about what the back ground says about you. I’ve seen dirty washing, dirty tissues and even a line of Gin bottles – now I love my gin (and I have a line of pretty gin bottles) but you won’t see them at a networking event – what is your background saying about you?

This is a chance to get creative. I like to dress up for networking. Yes I’ve got my slippers on and a hubby across from me, but I like to wear the right outfit, get the earrings right and even put my watch on despite the fact I can see 3 clocks on my various screens! What makes you feel professional and ready for work? If you want to network in your PJ’s feel free to, but what is that saying about you? If it connects you to your target audience all good, but know what your image is saying. Our image becomes even more important when we are all the size of a small box.

Chat box – this is a great tool to enable you to ask questions as the session is going on. And when it comes to delivering your 60 seconds, you can add your links to your social media, the blog you mentioned or your website – we are finding people are more connected thanks to that little box! And personally it means I can support our members far more because I have more time to answer more questions and share more solutions for business owners.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Like a studio, consider your camera and lighting. Practice looking at the camera when you speak to the networking group and not yourself or the other guests. Ensure the lighting is good. I have natural lighting but if you don’t have that luxury a side lamp angled behind your laptop will make you look amazing (not that you don’t anyway.) Having done a lot of photo shoots I know the make up tends to be heavier than I’d wear. Okay maybe not so relevant for business men (although on TV they wear make up so they don’t look washed out and unwell). So if you are used to a polished look consider how your appearance looks on camera.

Please get the angle right on your laptop/phone/tablet. I’m getting rather bored of seeing up people’s noses on TV. Surely someone told them about this? I’ve a stand I bought online that means my camera is at eye height (also good for looking after your back when working from home) as one Insider shared with us, turns out a stack of loo roll doubles up nicely to give you the right height – who would know?) You can turn your camera on early and play with the set up of your environment because that helps you be more confident before you even arrive, which leads me on to…

Be yourself. More than anything be yourself. That is what really sells well. Often in coaching session it is helping people to feel confident to be themselves that has the first big impact on their sales and profitability. See the next top tip for more on this…

6. Your confidence levels.

One of the things that can really impact on your ability to effectively network online is your confidence levels. I’ve tons of ways to help you build your confidence and remember if you are an Insider you can get my “Rocket your confidence” course for £1 (I know pointless price – for everyone else it’s £49 but I love to show how much I care about our mastermind group.)

7. Rehearse that 60 seconds and have your bullet points by your laptop.

If you are nervous, practising your 60 seconds, going back to the first points of this article so you tailor your 60 seconds Promo slot to your needs for your business can really help. Only say one thing. Start and finish with your name and remember to add your links to the chat box too. (There is a course on my site on creating the perfect 60 seconds and how to make that a powerful tool in your marketing too. And yes it’s also a £1 for Insiders.)

8. Afterwards.

Since none of us have a commute back to the office after each event there will be a free coaching and mentoring session. I will then encourage everyone to head to the Insiders to share their actions, homework and give everyone somewhere to be accountable to their follow up and business growth plans. I love that the conversations keep flowing on the Insiders all month long keeping the motivation and sustainability going. And the masterclass session turns into a market research and a “How would this work for my business?” place to ensure you get the most out of networking.

I hope these ideas help you too and as I tell all BWN Golden Ticket members, Insiders and BWN members – if you are struggling or having a tough day. You can always message me. Me and my team care passionately about your success and we are doing all we can to prove that.

Don’t forget this competition too – feel free to share the flyer and if you are not on the Insiders yet we would love to welcome you too. It’s jam packed with high quality advice, webinars, worksheets and so much more. Learn more and join us here.

As Founder of The BWN and an international coach, speaker and author I know what impacts on success and I’m very good at eradicating those obstacles so you get what you want. I don’t often tell people this however I’ve helped a good few people become millionaires (they did all the work, they just came to me for the coaching, accountability and the support) and whether you want to be a global brand or pay for the holidays, I love helping business men and women get the results they want and The BWN enables us to help you without investing big. We have lots of ways we can help so I look forward to seeing you at a networking event very soon. You can get involved in my social media and help yourself to tons of free resources by heading to www.mandieholgate.co.uk I’d love to get to know you better.