Are you an entrepreneur or business owner looking for ways to improve your network? The fact is having the right network of people around you is important for everyone, but as an entrepreneur, it is especially important.

Maybe you have seen people talking about having a business bestie and you want to know how to find your own. The fact is for many entrepreneurs their circle isn’t filled with other people who are running their own businesses. However, if you get intentional there is no reason why in a short amount of time you can’t turn that around a have a network full of other successful entrepreneurs.

 

 

Go to live events

I love going to live events. Fortunately, since I live in London there are events all the time. I’ve attended and made connections and clients from going to casual meet-ups all the way up to multiple day conferences and exhibitions.

Now if you aren’t a natural networker my advice is not to think you have to talk to everyone. Forget about the stereotype of networking events where people are rushing around handing out their business card to everyone they walk past. You are looking for quality over quantity. Make a concerted effort to talk to a few people but really try to get to know them and find a reason to follow up with them later.

Usually, at events, I will try to talk to at least 5 people and have a genuine conversation. Then if I think we have enough in common or I can help them in some way then I’m likely to connect with them on Instagram.

 

Connect with people online

Maybe you aren’t lucky enough to live in a beautiful city like London that is full of events and entrepreneurial people. Thankfully with the internet, it doesn’t matter where you live. You ALWAYS have the opportunity to connect with the type of people you would like to have in your network.

A great place to start is in free online communities such as a Facebook Group. The key here is to be open and start conversations. For example, very often when I join a Facebook group I will ask people where they are based so I can identify if there is anyone in Nottingham, London or another British city that I might be visiting in the foreseeable.

If you are looking for a free Facebook Group to join then check out mine: Superstar Solopreneurs.

Outside of Facebook, you can also try making connections via Instagram. Nowadays I have a lot of friends who I met on Instagram. Geo-tagging is a great way to be able to connect with other people in your area and also if I spot someone is at an event with other entrepreneurs then I will check out all of the tagged people in a post and go from there.

Join a paid membership group or mastermind

Free Facebook groups are a great place to start but if you really want to up your networking game then you should definitely consider joining a paid membership group or mastermind.

Nowadays, there are membership groups for every single niche out there. You can look for groups based on the type of business you have, where you are in the world, the type of mentor you look to, your financial goals and so much more.

If you are a service-based solopreneur or freelancer then I would love you to check out my Inner Circle. The Inner Circle is an exclusive membership group designed for service-based solopreneurs who people who want to build an empire. You can find out more at charellegriffith.com/inner-circle.

 

Register for a premium online course

Whilst a course might not seem like a natural place to make connections the fact is that some premium courses (I’m talking courses in the thousands of pounds) will often have a Facebook Group attached.

Over the years I’ve taken a number of premium online courses

• B-School with Marie Forleo
• Money Bootcamp with Denise Duffield-Thomas
• Make Money Being You with Alex Beadon
• The Clique Academy with Dani Watson

Now usually the Facebook Group will be used for Q&As with the course creator when the course is “live”, but often the groups are left open for peer support. This is a great opportunity for you to build your network.

Registering for online premiums courses works in a very similar way to being in a paid membership group or mastermind with the emphasis being on everyone in that space has paid to be there so you know they are serious about growing their business.

In the past, online premium courses have really help me to improve my network. For example, I created a peer mastermind during the first year I took B-School and we ended up running the mastermind (with a weekly call) for over a year and we still have a WhatsApp group now.

And as someone who actively wants to improve my net worth I’ve loved being part of the Money Bootcamp Facebook Group. The conversations are money-mindset focused rather than the nitty-gritty of finances and money management (which I love) but there has been something so powerful about being in a community where it isn’t taboo to want to be rich.

 

Above I have shared four different ways that you can improve your network as an entrepreneur, but there is one major thing I want to emphasis.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE FOLLOW UP!

Regardless of how you connect with people, the important thing is to follow up. I have used all of the above methods to improve my network, but I know of other people who have done the same things and haven’t seen their network change.

What is my secret? I follow up!

I also make an active effort to take relationships offline. For example, I met my podcast co-host in a paid membership group, but then I asked her if she wanted to meet for Brunch. I have been to events, connected on Instagram and then followed up to see what is the next event they are going to.

In many ways improving your entrepreneurial network is a lot like dating. You have to put yourself out there. You have to risk asking someone for a coffee, drink, brunch etc and them turning you down. However, I believe the odds are much more in your favour. Most entrepreneurs want to connect with other entrepreneurs so ask away!

I hope you have found these suggestions helpful and below I would love to know which tip you are going to try.