The Importance of Building a Strong Network as an Entrepreneur

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re an entrepreneur or you are planning to become one in the future. You might be asking yourself, Why do I need to build a strong network? The short answer is that your network is your networth . It doesn’t matter how great your products or services are if nobody knows about them and it doesn’t matter how many books you read if nobody knows about you. Your network can help with both of these situations, plus many more!

What is a strong network?
A strong network is often referred to as your support system. It is made up of people in different walks of life with various levels of knowledge, skills, and expertise. They are there to give you advice, help out when you’re overwhelmed, keep you sane and on track, provide feedback when needed, and serve as another set of eyes for looking at your business.

We are all connected in some way
Everyone you know is connected to each other in some way and so it only makes sense that the people around you can also be your most valuable asset. As long as you are willing to put in the work, networking with like-minded individuals who share your goals and objectives can lead to increased business opportunities, new friends, and professional support.

How to build relationships
Focusing on building relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs, mentors, and people in your network can have many benefits for both the entrepreneur and their network. As the saying goes: It’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Those relationships can lead to opportunities that will help your business grow.

Why building relationships is so important?
Building relationships is important for any entrepreneur, no matter what stage you’re at. Starting up in the early stages means you have to take your time and put in the hard work building connections that will help get your idea off the ground. As with all entrepreneurial ventures, running into roadblocks is inevitable. However, having friends and colleagues who are always ready to help when those difficult times arise can make all the difference in how quickly you get back on track and continue to build on your success.

If you don’t build relationships, who will?
Entrepreneurship can be a challenging undertaking. As new business owners, we are constantly looking for assistance, support and resources to help us achieve our goals. You might think that once you make it to the executive suite, there will be people surrounding you to help in any way possible. It’s not always so simple.

How to connect with influencers without sounding sleazy
A great way to connect with influencers is by joining their networks or following them on social media. But how do you do that without sounding sleazy? When approaching someone to build your network, first find out who they are and what they’re interested in by reading their bio. From there, read about the work they do and see if it aligns with your goals.