I know the feeling. You love where you live, but you just want to meet more people and perhaps, your goals and dreams require you to expand your network. The reality is, one of the best ways to grow your small business or get to the next step in your career, is to be more networked into an industry or network regardless of your geographical area.
Someone gave me some simple advice a long time ago and that is: relationships = resources. Sometimes, you need to stretch to get into the network you need to grow.
We need to be surrounded and connected with the right people to get to where we want to go. Success is about an ecosystem. Either plugging into an existing ecosystem or maybe creating one.
Yet, the reality is, it’s not always easy or possible to just get up and move so as women, we need to be savvy relationship and network builders.
So, how can we build and expand our networks in a way that is natural and authentic? How can we build those lasting connections?
Expanding your professional network beyond your city takes intentional effort, but it can open doors to incredible opportunities. Here are five key strategies to help you build meaningful connections:
Sit down and strategize your network building needs. What does your elevated network look like? Be intentional. What types of people do you need to be surrounded with? Who do you need to know? Who needs to know you? Don’t worry about where you’ll find these people. Write down a short synopsis of what a vibrant ecosystem looks like to you. It’s important to write down these goals. I really love the term “network building” rather than just networking. Networking can often feel aimless and we often go from event to event and not really getting anything out of it. It’s all about network building.
Leverage the Social to Personal Connection. The reality is, we live in an era driven by online social media engagement. I would recommend building your social to personal connection. How can you use social media to communicate your expertise and connect with the right people? It might be a content strategy - a newsletter, a vlog series, publishing a white-paper or a podcast. Think about where you can post content. Join discussion groups and chime in on conversations that matter to you. Everyone is talking about social media, but I want to encourage you to keep your eyes wide open for those connections that can turn into personal interactions. Perhaps you’re in a LinkedIN group and you really naturally connect with someone. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a connection in a group for a short virtual coffee to see where there may be some synergy. Once you begin to promote yourself in your industry, find those, what I call, “golden connections”. You’ll find key contacts outside your network that resonate with your content and be attentive and intuitive about building those connections and find areas of collaboration.
Attend National and Global Industry Events and Associations. Joining an organization or association outside of your area can be a game changer. I joined a nationally focused beauty industry group and it helped tremendously! I began meeting people from top brands and other women moving in the same direction as me and this not only motivated me, but gave me a new sense of belonging. Industry specific groups are often convening a core group of people and those contacts represent an ecosystem of buyers, suppliers, media connections and more. Industry associations often have many ways that you as a member can gain exposure. From online meetups to mentorship programs to virtual and in-person events, you can effectively grow your network. Do research and find two or three new associations or events you can connect with.
Schedule High Value Intro Calls. I recommend you follow steps 1-3 and as you begin meeting new like-minded professionals, reach out to these contacts and request virtual coffee chats or informational interviews. These conversations can provide insights and help you build relationships. Keep focused on collaboration and added value. Relationship building is about support. These high value intro calls are an opportunity for you to find how you can collaborate.
Collaborate with Your Expanded Network. Partnering with professionals from different locations on projects, research, or volunteer work can strengthen your network while showcasing your skills. Collaboration examples are things like co-hosting podcasts, co-hosting workshops, attending events together or maybe making introductions for each other. This can be so effective and not only that, a lot of fun! Think of network building as an adventure - you’re looking to discover how you can grow, not just “get” something from someone.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to add value. How can you use your skills and industry expertise to enrich people in your network? As you begin to build these relationships naturally and authentically, you’ll find yourself connecting with some pretty amazing people who are doing amazing things. Not only will you meet amazing people, you’ll start to see incredible doors opening for you as you consistently and with focus promote your products and services.