Have you ever been in a room filled with strangers and thought to yourself “How do I make small talk?” or “How do I connect with the people important to my growth as a person?”. Then welcome babe. This is the just article you need.

At Feminine and Flattering, we not only encourage women to be more stylish and confident, but we also encourage them to make smarter financial decisions. This includes speaking and mingling with the right people to build your business or career. If you have felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of a networking event, it is completely normal. A lot of people dread

awkward small-talk moments and forced conversations. However, it is important to note that networking is more about building genuine connections than just collecting business cards. In this post, we’ll break down the ABCs of networking, so you can confidently navigate any social situation.

Networking is the art of connecting and building relationships with like-minded individuals and people who share similar goals, ideas, or visions with you. Networking is about forming relationships that matter, that nurture you, and, just as importantly, that you nurture in return. In a world driven by connections, networking helps you open doors to new opportunities— personally and professionally.

WHY SHOULD I NETWORK?

First off, sometimes what you need is not in your small friendship group. It may be hard to accept this but it is the truth. The importance of Networking cannot be overemphasized especially as a woman trying to build herself and her career. At some point in your journey, you will need mentors and people to keep pushing and encouraging you. That is what Networking gives you! In the subsequent paragraphs, we will be discussing the reasons why Networking is beneficial.

1. Networking helps you find opportunities you may not be able to find on your own. Networking opens doors that wouldn’t be accessible otherwise. Whether it’s a job offer, business collaboration, or partnership, most opportunities in life don’t just appear out of thin air—they come through the people you know. Networking is the key to discovering and securing these opportunities, some of which may not even be advertised publicly or unknown to your immediate circle. By expanding your network, you create pathways to success that you may not have known existed.
2. Networking helps with personal empowerment and confidence. Networking pushes you to step outside of your comfort zone, meet new people, navigate new relationships, and maintain them. The more you practice this skill, the more confident you become. Also, when you share whatever values or skill set you have to offer with people you connect with, it builds your sense of empowerment. You realize that you have more value to bring to the table.
3. Networking helps you build a personal brand and fosters personal growth. The more consistently you connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations, the more recognizable and trusted your brand becomes. Connecting with people also helps inspire creativity, spark new ideas, and boost self-confidence.
4. Networking enhances visibility. In both professional and personal settings, visibility is key. The more people who know about your skills and values, the more opportunities you’ll have. Networking helps you stand out, especially in sectors where you may feel like you’re struggling. When you build relationships with people, they are more likely to think of you when opportunities relevant to your skills arise.
5. Networking helps you expand your circle. Honestly, you never know who may be of great help to your career trajectory or whose invaluable career advice may change your life. Networking helps you meet diverse people from different backgrounds and with different experiences. These people can provide the needed professional and emotional support you need.

BASICS OF NETWORKING

Now that we have discussed the importance and benefits of networking, we can now discuss the basics of networking. What are the basics of effective networking?

1. Authenticity: Someone once said “Authenticity is the cornerstone of genuine connection” and I couldn’t agree more. When you are genuine, you attract the right people in your corner. The first rule of networking is to be yourself! Understandably, there is an urge to impress people we meet however authentic relationships are not built that way. People see right through you and can sense when you are being honest or not. Do not try to be someone you are not. It helps build deeper and more meaningful connections.
2. Offer value: When you are about to network with a person, it is important to not only focus on what you will benefit from that person. You need to ask yourself “What can I offer this person?”. Nobody wants to associate themselves with a liability or someone who will take a lot from them and offer them nothing in return. It becomes a win-lose situation. People remember when you made their life easier or fun. Offer knowledge, share experiences, and help them in ways they may need.
3. Follow-up and keep in touch: Networking is not just a one-time thing—it is building a relationship over time. Following up shows that you are genuine in wanting to continue the relationship and that you value the person. Relationships are like plants. If you water them consistently, they’ll grow. If you ignore them, they’ll wither. You can drop a text/follow-up message. Just make sure to be mindful. Do not overdo it. Respect people’s personal spaces. Ensure your texts are brief, precise, and on-point.
4. Be an active listener: While networking is a great opportunity to pitch yourself, some of the best connections are made by listening rather than speaking. Pay attention to people and learn.
5. Extend grace to yourself: If you don’t feel like a natural at networking, it is fine. Do not beat yourself up over it. If a relationship doesn’t work, do not dwell on it. Give yourself grace and learn from every experience.
6. Stay Open-Minded and Embrace New Opportunities: The beauty of networking is that you never know where a conversation might lead. Stay open-minded about the possibilities. You might meet someone who doesn’t directly impact your business or career, but you could end up collaborating in ways you never imagined. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places.

TIPS FOR NETWORKING

1. Be confident.
2. Do not be afraid to take the first step and initiate conversations.
3. Actively seek out mentors and try to also mentor people.
4. Do not be afraid of rejection. It is a possibility but how will you know if you never try? Yes, it may be awkward at first, but you will eventually fit in!

If you are trying to network, you can attend conferences, events, and social gatherings. You can also join social media communities and group chats. Introducing people to other people also helps a great deal.

Networking isn’t about fancy events. It’s about building genuine relationships that enrich your personal and professional life. You don’t have to be perfect! Just show up, be authentic, offer value, and build meaningful connections. And trust me, the opportunities will follow. Now that you’ve got the basics of networking down, it’s time to put them into practice. Remember, it’s not about quantity—it’s about the quality of your connections.

Do you have tips for networking? Kindly drop them in the comments. Thank you for reading, Xoxo