It’s not what you know – it’s who you know. And that rings especially true for those on the entrepreneurial journey. Networking with the right people is and will always be a massive key to your success. Whether it's connecting with brands, hiring creative team members, or meeting angel investors, the people in your network are going to be the ones to guide you + support you on your success journey.
Here, we listed the best ways to get yourself out there and network like a boss babe. Keep reading below to hone in on these need-to-know tips.
LEVERAGE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA
Yes, social media can be a great outlet for relatable memes and viral content, but it’s also one of the best places to network with other like-minded people. Not to mention this is probably the best way to meet new people if you have social anxiety. Say sayonara to face-to-face connections, and hello to direct messages and emails.
Social media also gives you the opportunity to connect with people worldwide, ones outside your geographical location. This will not only expand your network but expand your business’s reach, too. Simply commenting on a post of an inspirational follower, jumping in on a trending Twitter conversation, or sending a LinkedIn connection will get you much further than you could ever imagine.
RECOGNIZE EVERYONE YOU MEET IS IMPORTANT
Life hack: treat everyone you meet with respect and kindness because you have no idea who they may know or what pulls they may have. Whenever you meet someone, make it your mission to discover their value in the simplest of conversations.Try conversation starters like these:
- I would love to hear about your journey on how you built your business?
- How did you overcome XYZ…?
- What advice do you have for someone who is just beginning their journey?
Whether it’s a connection or a life-changing tip, always make the most out of every conversation you have, because it could be the one that will inspire you and your future business decisions.
FOLLOW UP AND FOLLOW THROUGH
The quickest way to lose a powerful connection is to fall through on following up. Telling someone you will reach out to them and then not doing so not only discounts your credibility but also seriously questions your reliability.
Once you make connections it’s important that you do exactly that – stay connected. It takes less than a minute to send a thank you email, so no need to make it a milestone moment. Something like, “ Hey, Jane! It was so great to connect with you the other day. I’m looking forward to our chat on how we can collaborate our businesses. Please, feel free to reach out if you need anything in the meantime.”
That easy. All it takes is one simple connection to change your life, don’t drop the ball when it’s been so easily placed in your court.
JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS
The best way to ensure you’re making the right connections is by joining the right groups of people. Networks like The Circle are an incredible way to connect with women entrepreneurs who all have one thing in mind – growing their business.
When you join, you’ll get access to our private community and unlock courses from industry experts like Kathrin Zenkina, Glo Antanmo, Jessica Williamson (and many more!). Plus – you can learn how to build and hire a creative team through custom search portals, and master every area of your business through live coaching calls.
Networking is a powerful tool and with the right connections, it can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. All it takes is a simple conversation, the right people, and seriously ambitious groups – and that is how you network like a boss.