I am over the moon to share that my article, “Your Network is Your Networth: Generate Social Capital,” was recently published in the April 2023 issue of The Contemporary Woman Magazine! As someone who has always believed that networking is the key to success, it was an absolute honor to write about the topic and share my experiences with others. I am thrilled to see my article featured in such a respected publication. I am grateful for the chance to share my message with the world, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact that it will have on readers everywhere. To all of my fellow go-getters and dreamers out there, I urge you to remember the importance of networking, connecting with others, and investing in yourself. The world is waiting for you – let’s make our own success! Below is the article that was published- I hope it helps!
Your Network is Your Networth: Generate Social Capital Written By Colleen Biggs
As an entrepreneur, I know and understand the importance of building a strong network. Your network is your net worth, period. I’m positive I’m not the original carrier of such a powerful message and phrase, as I’m sure it’s been around for years or maybe spoken differently, but make no mistake, it is just as true today as it was when it was first coined. I was recently on a stage where I shared my experiences in my life of how my social capital has generated income, awarded status, created wealth for other individuals, and even saved lives. In this article, I’ll be discussing the power of networking, building social capital, and how it can help you succeed in business and in life.
Networking is more than just handing out business cards and meeting people at events. It’s about building relationships and creating a community of like-minded individuals who can support you on your journey. Your network should be made up of colleagues, mentors, friends, and family members who are all invested in your success and you in theirs.
When you surround yourself with people who are passionate about what they do, you’ll be inspired to achieve more. Your network can provide you with valuable resources, advice, and connections that can help you reach your goals. By building strong relationships with people in your industry, you’ll have a support system that can help you overcome challenges and celebrate your successes.
One of the most significant benefits of having a strong network is the opportunities it can bring. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, when you build relationships with people in your industry, in your community, and even online via social media, you’ll have access to advancements, potential partnerships, and other opportunities that you might not have found otherwise. By networking, you can get your foot in the door and make valuable connections that can help you advance your career, and education, and grow your business.
I’d like to share a story with you that will put this advice into perspective. Back in 2021, I hosted an event that I run annually called “The Sanctuary”. There were 8 women in attendance and not everyone knew each other. As the event progressed, one of the attendees revealed that she was putting her dreams on hold of creating International Masterminds until her daughter graduated High School which would have been 3 years from that point. After further discussions and perceptions offered, she decided to move forward with her idea and create the events that year. I attended that International Mastermind that was created and hosted merely 8 months from the date of the Sanctuary. And because she was in attendance at one of my events, I gave back to her and promoted the event to my network and community. Two members of The Leap Community said yes (including one that was in attendance of The Sanctuary) and one of the ladies that is registered in my annual mastermind attended, thus sharing money with the host. At that event, I met a dental hygienist that later decided to work with me as a personal client, another attendee that went on to start her own business and joined The Leap Community to support her business-building needs as well as build her social capital. From that date, several additional exchanges have happened that have shared wisdom, created opportunities for the ladies in attendance, generated income, and strengthened all of our social capital. This is just one example in my life of how building your network really is the true way to build your Net Worth.
Did you know that networking can also help you learn from others and their experiences? By connecting with people who have already achieved success in your industry, you can gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed. You can learn from their successes and failures and apply these lessons to your own journey.
In addition to the tangible benefits of networking, it can also be a source of motivation and inspiration. When you surround yourself with people who are passionate about what they do, you’ll be inspired to pursue your own passions and work harder to achieve your goals. I’ve seen this work with my own eyes with my clients and in my life. In fact, using this method has been the foundation for the success I’ve found in my own business and in the businesses of the clients I coach. Don’t forget, your network will be a source of positivity and encouragement, which will help you stay motivated even during challenging times, I guarantee that!
Building a strong network takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. I recently published a book, Step Into the Spotlight to Expand your Influence and Attract the Right Clients. In this book, me and 9 other authors dive into all the areas that are crucial to your success when investing in your social capital through where you show up and how often you show up. You can find a copy of this book here on Amazon https://amzn.to/3TnPYJf
Here are some additional tips for building a powerful network and increasing your social capital:
- Attend Events: Attend events online and in person with those individuals that are your ideal clients or power partners and make an effort to meet new people. Introduce yourself, ask questions, and be open to learning from others, ALWAYS!
- Join Groups: Join like-minded groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, join online women’s groups such as The Leap Community or join an in-person meet-up. When there, participate in discussions and offer your expertise. By contributing to the group, you’ll build your reputation and make valuable connections. Works like a charm, trust me!
- Reach Out to Others: Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who you admire. Send them a message or an email introducing yourself and expressing your interest in connecting. Most people are happy to help others, especially if they are passionate about what they do.
- Provide Value: Build relationships by providing value to others. Offer to help with a project, connect them to another resource or share your expertise. By being helpful, you’ll build trust and establish yourself as a valuable member of your network. Remember to always treat others the way you desire to be treated. It’s God’s golden rule, abide by it!
- Be Authentic: This is the mother of all advice right here! Be yourself when networking. People can tell when you’re not being genuine, and it can harm your reputation. Be honest, sincere, and respectful when interacting with others. Lead with integrity!
In conclusion, by building strong relationships with people, you’ll have access to valuable resources, opportunities, and insights that can help you succeed. Make networking a priority and invest the time and effort needed to build a powerful network. With the right people by your side, you can achieve anything you set your mind to and your social capital will be overflowing.
You can connect with Colleen directly by visiting her website colleenbiggs.net or by sending her a direct message via LinkedIn.
Author Bio:
Colleen Biggs is an Award-Winning Business Coach who empowers women entrepreneurs who are ready to lean into their peak performance and take action so they can expand their influence, attract the right clients, and generate more money. With over 22 years of experience, she has launched over 340 businesses, is an International Speaker, Author to 5 #1 International Best-Sellers with the latest being Step Into the Spotlight to Expand your Influence, and was awarded the Local Businessperson of the year award and Top 10 Women Business Leaders of 2021. Colleen is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and fueling purpose-filled, powerful female voices — like yours — and giving you the tools to make it happen!
