BACK

4 Proven Strategies for Women to Boost Networking Success and Expand Professional Connections

We often face challenges in effectively building and maintaining a network of meaningful connections, particularly women aiming to advance their professional growth through relationship building

Determining what the road of success looks like in your life is sometimes dependent on the relationships you build and nurture. Being successful is not accomplished alone—it takes a team of successful people that have established a relationship through networking. Relationship building and genuinely nurturing the network around you is so vital.

On this week’s Self-Care Sunday Secrets, we’re sharing with you, a few ways you can continue to make the most of your network as a woman, or even learn how to build your network to ensure you continue to grow the most meaningful relationships. Keep reading to find out more.

How to Make the Most of Your Network 

So, you may be wondering how to go about creating those relationships that feel genuine and effortless. Well, one thing to keep in mind is you must surround yourself with people who not only push you forward, but who also believe in your goals as well. This makes for a mutual relationship that both parties will gain from. Focus on truly building relationships instead of simply networking to network.  When you focus on sincerely and genuinely building a relationship with someone, the one and done notion of simply just networking for your own gain and benefit is instantly removed.

Taking the time to shake someone’s hand and make direct eye contact with them is the basis of establishing that relationship. When you leave an everlasting first impression on someone, it causes them to never forget who you are—you want to be that person. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

  1. Remember genuine connections must be built

A genuine connection doesn’t happen overnight—it takes time, and lots of it. A connection is created through a shared experience, whether that’s over a cup of coffee, or during a hot yoga class. It’s important to remember that following up with those connections is what builds on creating those reputable and genuine relationships. You never know – this gesture could lead to you meeting your new bestie!

  1. Make face-to-face conversations a priority

Connecting through social media is just not going to cut it nowadays—you have to do more in order to receive more. Solely relying on social media to grow your relationships will leave you completely lonely. Connecting with people by phone or in-person truly makes all the difference. Make it an absolute priority to spend face-to-face time when building and nurturing your relationships. 

  1. Collaboration over competition

A lot of times, what makes someone successful in life is eliminating the idea that everyone surrounding you is your competition. You’d be surprised to see how far you could get when you learn to collaborate with those around you. Helping those around you not only benefits you and those involved, but it also builds upon establishing those relationships.

  1. You get what you give

When it comes to networking and building relationships, you get what you give. You have to be able to bring something valuable to the relationship—especially if you are expecting the same in return. Don’t solely look to that person to only nourish the relationship, as they too are looking for ways you can add value to their life.

Learning how to make the most of your network as a woman is truly an art. We all know those women that are either really high maintenance friends or really low maintenance friends and it’s important to understand each personality so that you know how to approach each relationship.

Let us know in the comments how you’ve nurtured and made the most out of your network as a woman.