Business owners are often focused on getting their products or services out there. But what about getting yourself out there?
Putting in the time and energy towards your professional networks equals potential clients and customers, partnerships, speaking opportunities, learning opportunities, press features, and staying ahead of the conversation — and should therefore be a critical component of your brand strategy. But not just for your personal brand, but for your business: in a recent Gensler brand engagement survey, 94% of consumers said they would be highly likely to recommend a brand they were emotionally engaged with, and 65% of consumers buy on the basis of their beliefs and shared values with a brand. Founders can no longer stay behind the curtain; your audiences expect you to be the voice and “soul” of your brand.
Here are my top tips for easily expanding your network, authentically (like, today):
#1 GET ON TWITTER
I’m always surprised when speaking to founder clients or coaching clients to hear they are not on Twitter. For any business owner, this is where you want to be. Get direct access to founders, editors, thought leaders, and investors with whose values you are aligned. Follow as many of them as you can (you never know who will follow you back!). Use your voice, join the conversation.
I realize that Instagram is the flavor of the month, but I also know that so many of these individuals are on Twitter because you don’t need a photo to say something. You can type it out, retweet an article, easily mention and get mentioned by aligned individuals, and keep a conversation going. I often find that the conversations that are happening on Twitter between founders and investors keep me abreast of the topics that I need to know about now of what’s to come, for my business and for my clients.
#2 JOIN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
I’m currently a member of three women’s networking organizations: HeyMama, Fashion Mamas, and Female Founder Collective. They are inexpensive (or free!), and an easy way to not only connect with fellow women in business, but learn a ton!
They all provide virtual opportunities to connect with other members through multiple platforms: FB private groups, Slack, Google Forums. You never know who you can connect with, hire, get hired by, and promote to others.
And they provide learning opportunities put on by fellow members. I typically do at least 1-2 webinars a week. Although topics vary, I tend to gravitate towards those that I can apply in my business to help my clients — Email Marketing, Getting Your Own Press, Growing Your Audience, Social Advertising, etc.
In the past, I was a member for nine years and sat on the board twice for the Junior League of Orange County, CA — another incredible opportunity to connect with other like-minded women and learn valuable new career skills, all while giving back to your community. I have this org and the women to thank for me being a public speaker and facilitator today, because of the positions I was placed in that forced me to get up there and just do it!
Pro tip: and once you join, put their logos on your website to show support for the organizations with which you are aligned!
#3 IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL EVENTS
In many areas, in-person events are on pause. But when we are able, definitely go to as many conferences and events as you can. It was an early strategy for me in 2013, and it definitely paid off when I had the chance to meet people in person who would later become clients (for me, Gray Malin and Christine Dovey as two examples), and it often led to press and speaking opportunities that expanded my reach and audience. Making a human connection IRL is always worth the time and effort once people put an authentic face to the name.
And whether you are looking for it or not: when you get onto a guest list for an event (such as a store opening), you are put onto a master list that is shared with multiple PR companies. I receive invitations to events to this day (but as I said, be careful what you wish for — my inbox gets flooded with PR emails!).
One note for virtual events: turn on your video! Get chatty in the chat! Email, DM and/or follow the speaker! Even though you can’t connect in person, get twice the value out of your time by making the effort to connect with at least one person. You never know how that connection can come back around, for the good of all! (And psst, speaking of virtual events, I’ll be speaking at The Positivity Charge conference on November 8th, 2020! Would love to see you!)
I hope this helps! Any questions, feel free to contact me!
