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Networking is too often overlooked as an excellent way to grow your business.
Networking is an important strategy for every woman business owner. More than just a source of referrals, a robust network can lead to better opportunities and collaborations, as well as a greater authority in your field. To succeed, be clear and intentional about your networking goals. While growing socially can be an added benefit, it shouldn’t be your primary purpose if you want to boost your bottom line.
Five ways networking can help you grow as a woman business owner.
Greater Opportunities
For most business owners, networking is all about opportunities for referrals and collaborations. There is some truth to the saying “it isn’t what you know, but who you know”. The more powerful people you create relationships with through networking, the more you will be exposed to new opportunities to grow your business. When opportunities arise, business owners prefer to hire and refer people they already know and trust. Through networking, you build relationships with women leaders who will think of you first, as you do the same for others in your network.
Growing More Confident
Spending time networking with leaders in your industry and other women business professionals will increase your confidence in yourself and what you have to offer. You’ll have opportunities to hone your speaking skills, whether in conversation with new connections or sharing about your business in front of a group. As other business owners turn to you for advice, you’ll deepen your sense of confidence in yourself. With a solid network, you’ll receive referrals and collaboration opportunities. As you provide unique value through the great work you do for those new clients, you’ll boost your confidence to keep expanding and up leveling your business.
Increased Authority in Your Niche
As more colleagues in your network get to know you, you’ll gain a positive reputation and become known as an authority around the work that you do. You will become more visible in your field as your network grows. Online, your networking efforts can create more followers, sponsorship opportunities, and even greater reach with better SEO. When your connections begin sharing, commenting and linking to your content, your reach, traffic, and income will grow.
Positive Influences & Advancement
As you build and nurture your personal network, you will tap into the expertise of successful women leaders you may not have the opportunity to cross paths with otherwise. Those interactions can lead you to greater knowledge of your industry as well as the opportunity to be mentored by women who have forged the path before you. Making the effort to surround yourself with growth minded entrepreneurs will influence your own success. You will more likely be exposed to conferences, summits and advanced training events you would otherwise miss. The more you choose to associate with successful women leaders, the more you naturally raise yourself up to meet them where they are. Having colleagues to turn to for advice is a valuable resource to any business owner.
Personal Fulfillment
Women can be great networkers, as creating authentic relationships and meaningful connections come naturally. Rather than working solo, building a network of other women business owners gives you people to brainstorm with, collaborate with, or just take a break to socialize with. Having like-minded growth-oriented women business owners in your circle can make entrepreneurship more satisfying. Reaching out as a mentor with advice for another woman in your network can create feelings of fulfillment. Networking presents more opportunities to volunteer time or donate resources to non-profit organizations and local community groups. You will experience more personal satisfaction when you balance your income-boosting efforts with ways to give back.
Start Expanding Your Network Today
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