We live in a world where we are all connected, yet at times we may feel alone and isolated. When you think about it, we have the world at our fingertips. Thanks to technology, we have the luxury of expanding our community across a variety of social media platforms right from our own homes. This opportunity may excite you, or it may overwhelm you. We have so many ways to connect and expand our community online that perhaps there is an opportunity to find the right fit for you.

Maybe you have just received your Reiki training, or maybe you have been working with energy for a while, and you want to move forward with sharing your offerings with the world. As you take a moment to decide, would you like to do networking in person, or perhaps you want to move forward with online, or both? If online networking is something that interests you, how can you use online networking to help you network in a way for you to connect, support, and share? Where do you begin? How do you venture forward in spiritual work and expand your community? Whether you’re thinking about a business or already have a business, or things are not working in your favor, and you need to change how you can utilize networking online?

Having a spiritual business is like no other business. For instance, there is no ladder meaning in the business world; you can work your way up the ladder with experience and education, receiving promotions, raises, and other growth opportunities. In the spiritual business, someone who received their Reiki Master training two days ago could have such a strong social media presence and have more followers and full classes than a Reiki Master of 25 years.

A client or student may choose to work with you because of your energy and how they “feel” when they connect with you, rather than focusing on how many certificates you have or the years that you put into your chosen modality. Training and working with energy is important; you need to do the work and strive to be an ethical practitioner and teacher; however, for the client and student, it may come down to your energy and how you make them feel.

Nowadays, Practitioners and Master Teachers are finding themselves treading through the waters of networking: events, Reiki talks, vendor events, podcast interviews, collaborations, Reiki circles, and shares. Oh my? Where do you begin? Start with where you are.

With my background as an elementary teacher and working in daycares and schools, I was comfortable speaking with an audience and teaching through stories.

When I was called to share and teach Reiki, I knew I had eagerness; however, I lacked confidence. Confidence is a helpful tool in networking. After the loss of my half-sister Angel, I thought I would never teach again; I never thought I would speak publicly again, let alone feel comfortable networking.

Knowing I had the eagerness, I did self-Reiki every night for almost two years until the realization hit me that I may never get over this, and the only way to get over it is to get through it and show. It took me two years of daily Reiki to build the confidence to begin networking. I started online in groups and in spaces where I could engage with other practitioners. I was eager to begin networking online. I wanted to connect with others internationally. One day in July, I began with an online event. I was nervous; however, I used Reiki as a tool to help me. From there, I made mindful movements towards creating my own online opportunities for networking. I created my own space, as well as supporting others. Where do you begin? How can you expand your community? If Online Networking is a path that you have chosen to take, here are 25 helpful tips. I have learned in my networking journey.

25 tips for Online Networking

1. Take a moment and breathe. Then ask yourself: Do I want to go online or in person? Maybe you want it both. Now you have a direction. Maybe you are unsure. Ask Reiki for guidance and clarity.
2. Take a moment to look at your skills and what you still need to improve. Maybe you lack family support, maybe you have, like me, the odds stacked against you. You have the greatest tool: Reiki.
3. Take out your phone and pull up your compass feature, get your calendar, or bring that up on your phone. Bring this genuine blessing and expanded influence as you bring in Reiki. A bold request for greater opportunities and responsibility to serve and connect. “Bless me indeed, and expand my community.” Ask the Reiki to flow to the compass or calendar.
4. Join online community groups for your interest in the system of Reiki.
5. Trust the energy will help guide you.
6. Be kind to everyone. Respect all lineages, levels, and schools of Reiki.
7. Be comfortable with the word “No.” Reframe it: rejection is projection.
8. Be ok that you are not everyone’s cup of tea.
9. Keep going; for every no, you will receive that one yes that can open a blessing.
10. Start by speaking to one person. It can start with one person. Dr. Katira started a Laughter Yoga club with 5 people in 1993. Now there are over 25,000 Laughter Yoga social clubs operating in more than 120 countries worldwide.
11. Refer, refer, refer; it will come back to you.
12. Do not gatekeep. When you are helpful, that opportunity will come back, that opportunity and the money lost will come back.
13. For a free event for veterans, cancer, grief, etc., it will come back. Find a Reiki buddy. Building genuine relationships starts with your master teacher and training.
14. Promote on social media. Share like other posts, and eventually they will do the same for you.
15. Try offering at Community groups, local events, and offer a donation-based workshop.
16. Offer trades with other modalities. I will trade you a Reiki session for a massage or a haircut for a Reiki session.
17. Email with a newsletter with Mailchimp.
18. Partnering with aligned practitioners (yoga, massage, therapists), co-hosting events, retreats, and workshops, and podcast guesting (both directions).
19. Creating opportunities instead of waiting.
20. Clarity on who you serve (and who you don’t) – you’re not for everyone. Reiki to help with the scarcity vs abundance mindset.
21. Trust that there are enough clients for everyone. Reiki reminds us to approach our work from a mindset of abundance rather than competition.
22. Letting go of outcomes.
23. Using Reiki to stay connected energetically.
24. Be more than content; be a connection, and remember what people do.
25. Thank you, Reiki. Be grateful.

In all of this, find what works for you. Go at your own pace. Reiki is a journey, not a destination. You have the best tool of Reiki to help you. Remember, it’s not about competition, it’s about connection.

Article by Tracy Searight

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Tracy Searight is an educator, Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master Teacher, Reiki Grandmaster Teacher, Author, and creative energy behind the podcast Ready Set Reiki. She is the owner of Feather Sister which offers Yoga and Reiki classes and training online and in person in the El Paso, Texas area. She lives in El Paso with her husband Kevin Dibert and their cavalier king Charles Spaniels. www.feathersister.com