Choosing the Right Business Women Network
Female entrepreneurs are taking over it seems, and gender equality has a voice as more women supporting women roar.
It is a great time to be a woman in business, however in the online space it can be a little overwhelming picking exactly who to seek business advice from.
I am often asked as a Female Sales Coach what would be the key factors when seeking out a business women network that incorporates not just strategy and financial results, but offers access to female role models with a diverse range of real world skills and values.
Women that are innovative, brave and most definitely not just about the vanity metrics on social media.
Targeted marketing sells you the dream that you can be, do, have and create anything you want, but having such a wide range of virtual coaches and mentors at your fingertips can have you running away with the next shiny course or programme.
Take Your Time When it Comes to Building Your Business Network
From my experience, there are huge advantages to taking the time in choosing wisely and I am a great advocate for investing in expanding your business network to get the support you need.
Getting visible to gain new business is a great strategy, but there are some precautions you might want to consider before you make any rash decisions when choosing a business network to commit to.
Often women I have worked with mention they are left out in the cold by the big-name so-called gurus and admit they had assumed a large following equalled credibility, but sadly this is just not so.
I came online a few years ago and felt like a small voice in a very noisy sea. My client and friend Lisa Johnson experienced this too and we have both heard from many of our clients, students and community members who also express the resounding opinion of feeling like just a number. Especially after joining busy, popular paid memberships for business women.
Business women seeking help to grow their brand and profits are needing advice from an approachable mentor, and sadly this is not always the reality when there is a huge intake of sign ups and one to one connections are lost.
At a time where automation is very popular, women crave a real human, a leader that takes the time to consider their individual needs.
Get Clear on Your Business Objectives
Lisa Johnson should know, she recently spoke to Forbes about her own success in launching a six figure passive income strategy including offering courses and memberships to her community.
So how do you find the right women in business networks and not risk putting time, energy and money into superficial, conveyor belt type programmes where one size fits all?
Firstly, getting clear on your current business objectives is key.
Knowing who does what and making a list of potential networks that can help your SPECIFIC objectives, can move you forwards logically without getting caught up in the latest blueprint or magic pill.
Check Out Local Networking Events
Check out some networking events to meet in person and get a real life feel for people you follow online. For example I mentor for Virgin in the UK and entrepreneurs attending these sessions can come and chat to me, ask questions and get some advice surrounding their business growth.
Avoid Pushy Business Networks
Avoid the pushy popular gangs, this ain’t school and we are not in the playground. If at any point you feel it’s “all about the money”, walk away.
Join an Online Community of Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
In order to keep growing your business, you have to keep your sales and marketing skills sharp, otherwise, your competitors might overcome you. How do you develop your skills? By learning from other people just like you!
There are a lot of online business networking groups out there, so you’ll have to find the ones that suit your personality and meet your needs. Try a few to see if they are right for you. If those don’t work out, try a few more until you’re comfortable. Keep in mind that high member counts indicate popularity, but not necessarily quality. The only way to find out if a community is right for you is to spend some time within it.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to access powerful support, create real relationships & develop new skills then have a look at our Freedom Business Hub – it’s a unique club for entrepreneurs that is a membership, mastermind and networking club ‘all-in-one’ to support you in growing your business to where you want it to be.
Read Reviews
Lastly, check out what others have to say about who is on your radar. Being a part of the right women in business network can transform your visibility, collaborative opportunities, confidence and sales.
In Summary: It’s a Great Time for Business Women to Connect and Create
Finding the right business network for you can be hard and time consuming. Hopefully after reading this article you’ll find it a little easier to find the right one.
Now is a great time for business women to come together and create waves. We need other people more than ever.
This is one of the reasons Lisa Johnson and I have created the Wave Mastermind Network – made for experienced entrepreneurs who have desire, expertise and potential to be part of the next wave of influencers, thought leaders and change makers.
Have a look at our last Wave Mastermind – look at how much fun we’re having!
Jade *