The Role of Networking in Building Long-term Visibility - Sara Alepin

Website: https://districtbliss.com/

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00:00 Hey everyone, Sara Alepin here, and I am thrilled to be here with you today i know you're here because you're looking to grow your online presence, build a stronger brand, and ultimately landmark clients. And that's exactly what we're going to talk about today, the power of networking. Now I know what you might be thinking networking isn't that just exchanging business cards and awkwardly smiling at strangers? Or, you know, maybe you've even been to events where you felt like you were cornered by someone trying to sell you something you didn't need. Or you spent the entire evening talking to people who were in completely different industries.  

00:41 Does that sound familiar? Well, true networking goes much deeper it's about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals in your sphere and it's about giving more than you take, offering valuable insights and truly connecting on a human level. And the best part? Organic networking, when done right, can be far more powerful than waiting for the algorithm to smile on your latest social media post it builds trust, credibility and lasting relationships that will fuel your success. But who am I and why am I excitedly talking to you about networking and the role of networking in building long term visibility and relationships? For those of you who don't know me, I'm Sarah Allipin i'm the founder and CEO of District Bliss.  

01:40 Imagine stepping into a vibrant tapestry of ambition and camaraderie. That's the world we craft every day at District Bliss. Forget those shallow handshakes and vanishing business cards. Here, connections blossom into long term collaborations, fueled by an uncanny ability to see the spark between souls. District Bliss isn't a network, it's a launchpad. Entrepreneurs with fire in their bellies find fertile ground to share insight, resources and unwavering support. Whether it's a roundtable discussion buzzing with ideas or a bespoke workshop igniting new skills, we orchestrate the stage for your business to flourish.  

02:24 Beyond introductions, we nurture growth with an ever evolving repertoire of resources. From practical workshops to intimate roundtables, the districtless community thrives on collaboration and mutual uplift. This is a space where vulnerability meets opportunity, where challenges morph into triumphs, and where the tapestry of success is woven thread by thread through unwavering support. Now, like many of you, I've navigated the online business world and I've seen first hand what works and what doesn't when it comes to get to getting seen and building a business and one thing that I've learned is that there is an incredible amount of power in genuine connection. When I started my networking journey, I hated it.  

03:15 Hated it. The events were awkward and I felt like people were shoving business cards at me without talking to me or really taking the time to get to know me at all i mean, they were just kind of like passing them in my direction. And after the event, I went home and recycled all of the business cards I'd collected because I was so discouraged by the entire situation. And that's when I decided to start hosting warm, welcoming, high ROI networking socials that had encouraged meaningful connections and long term relationships.  

03:51 And that's when District List was born. And that's why I'm so passionate about helping online service providers unlock their potential through effective networking. I understand the challenges you're facing you're probably feeling overwhelmed by the constant need to create content. I hear you shouting into the void of social media, hoping somebody notices and takes advantage of what you have worked so hard to create. Maybe you've pitched yourself for podcasts or speaking gigs and then not heard anything back. You're probably thinking why bother going out to meet people online when I could just be writing another blog post or scheduling more social media or, you know, working on the business.  

04:36 But here's the thing. Think about those times you did put yourself out there. Maybe you went to an in person event and ended up talking to someone who was selling windows when you're a marketing coach for an online business. Or you know, a classic example of being in the very wrong room. Maybe you went with a vague goal of getting more clients and left feeling like you wasted your time, energy and effort having only made a few surface level connections. Content is queen, totally get it but without a distribution strategy, it's just a fantastic message that might not be heard.  

05:15 And let's be honest, relying solely on social media algorithms or hoping your blog magically gets discovered can feel like waiting for a ship that may never come. Networking is your proactive distribution strategy, and that's how you can get your message out in front of the right audience and build a loyal network that supports your growth.  

05:39 Let's ditch the supervisual meet and greet if I could like if, if I could just like erase that from being a thing, I would. That superficial meet and greet mentality and those awkward hard selling experiences are truly awful. We need to shift our mindset about what networking truly is in order to see success from networking. It's not primarily about immediate client acquisition and I think this is something that we often fall into as small business owners.  

06:16 It's about building a a strong foundation for long term visibility and growth like who doesn't want that, you know that like the strong foundation so that you don't have to do all of the things as often all the time and you can focus on what really matters. So in order to build this strong foundation, you are going to focus on value exchange. Stop thinking about what you can get from others right away. Instead, focus on how you can help them share your expertise, offer valuable resources, even like helpful tips or like personal experiences, and genuinely celebrate each other's successes. This builds goodwill and creates a strong foundation for long term, mutually beneficial relationships.  

07:09 Think of this as planting the seeds and you're not expecting to harvest tomorrow. You have to nurture them over time so that they grow.  

07:20 And one of the most effective ways to network without that awkward pressure is through relevant online communities. These spaces are places where your ideal collaborators, referral partners, and even potential clients might be hanging out. So I want you to engage in meaningful discussions, not just superficial discussions. Meaningful discussions answer questions based on your expertise and offer support for other members. Look for communities that really align with your target audience or where complementary service providers gather. So for coaches, this might be groups focused on business growth or specific industries that you might serve. For someone like a designer or copywriter, this could be communities of entrepreneurs for seeking creative services.  

08:12 And then I want you to consider joining groups where your target audience hangs out. For example, if you are a marketing coach for Etsy sellers, you know, very clear niche find Etsy seller communities. And yes, there are also fantastic networking organizations out there designed to foster these kinds of connections like District Bliss, which offers a supportive, engaging environment and this truly makes all the difference, finding the place where you feel comfortable networking and continue to show up, where you commit to showing up, that is going to make such a difference in your overall networking experience.  

08:54 Don't let past negative experiences color your view of all networking. Virtual networking events have become incredibly powerful and often remove some of those initial anxieties. It's so easy to justify why not to go when it's an in person event it's easy to justify when it's virtual too but it removes some of those barriers. You know, you don't have to think about parking you don't have to think about how long it's going to take you to get there. You don't have to decide what you feel like wearing today whatever the case may be, The virtual networking space can really alleviate some of those anxieties and it can also get you over the hump to feel more confident and comfortable going out to network in person.  

09:35 So you want to focus on events that are designed for connection and can create a more relaxed and focused environment these are really going to be where you thrive. You are looking for a fantastic opportunity to connect with other professionals in a warm, supportive setting right from the comfort of your own space so when you're looking at these actual events, I want you to think through, is this a space that feels like it would be a warm, safe, welcoming space where I can make real connections? And then remember that these events aren't about selling your services in the 1st 5 minutes they're about having genuine conversations, learning about what the other people you are connecting with are doing, and building those crucial initial connections.  

10:22 So approach networking with a mindset of curiosity and a desire to connect on a human level. Now I'm super passionate about this they're really excited to talk about it. To truly boost your visibility, think beyond just your own content. Content collaboration is such a game changer. Guest blogging on relevant websites is going to give you SEO, search engine optimization and help you show up higher in search engines. Being interviewed on podcasts that reach your target audience is such a fantastic opportunity speaking at online summits where you can really share your expertise and raise brand awareness.  

11:04 Cross promoting to each others lists with valuable content this isn't just you know about something that you're offering you want to provide valuable content here so that you can really get people to come onto your list. Very excited to hear more from you and excited to open those emails and even Co hosting workshops. These are such powerful ways to tap into new audiences and build your credibility through association. It's truly standing on the shoulders of giants and I want you to seek out opportunities to collaborate with other thought leaders and service providers whose audience aligns with yours.  

11:45 But who are they offer non competing services? And and the reason that we say that is just because competing services can cause confusion. You have to be very, very clear on it. And if you are an entry level collaborator then or a club newbie, then you want to make sure that you are offering non competing services. This expands your reach exponentially and introduces you to a warm, receptive audience who is excited to hear from you and get to know you better.  

12:16 Networking is not a one time transaction. I this is. I will not get my soapbox out, but it is about building relationships that last. You have to stay in touch with the connections you make and if you go to the networking event and then you're like yay, I did the networking hooray. The thing I where I see most people fall down is that they go do the networking and then they don't do the follow up and you have to do the follow up you cannot be the Sarah from twenty thirteen twenty fourteen who just goes home and recycles all the business cards because you're so discouraged and hopefully you never feel like that that was such a crappy way to feel and I don't want that for you.  

13:02 So I want you to make sure you stay in touch with the connections you make. That might look like sharing relevant articles or resources you think that they would find valuable. Congratulating them on their achievements and that could be a simple Instagram DM or a LinkedIn comment goes a long way and offer support when they need it. These are all just great practices for you to be able to stay in touch, stay top of mind and nurture those relationships.  

13:31 Never underestimate the power of a thoughtful intro email connecting to people who could benefit from knowing one another, or recommending a great guest to be a podcaster, or to a podcaster who you've connected with, or a great speaker for a summit, or a great contributor for a bundle. Thinking through who might be able, which people might be like a valuable connection for each other is going to help you expand your network out further and further and it'll just make networking so much easier and your visibility which is going to go through the roof. Remember, the relationships are like plants they need consistent nurturing in order to thrive. A little effort in staying connected can yield significant long term benefits, including referrals and more collaborative opportunities.  

14:24 Let me share a quick story with you if you aren't, if you haven't bought into this whole networking thing with me yet, which I'm guessing you have if you're this far in but just in case, one of our district list members, Melissa McFarland, is just an amazing business coach and she experienced a significant breakthrough after attending just one of our networking events this was one of her first networking events she attended and I think it was back in like 2016 or 2017 so you can read what she said but after one networking event, she booked thirty thousand dollars in new clientele now she has a high ticket offer, but that was three clients for her.  

15:03 So because our events are warm, welcoming and engaging, she didn't find networking to feel awkward and she felt like she could go in right away and connect with those perfect match, top paying, high integrity, fun customers. So while client direct client acquisition can happen, as you can see, and I have spent this entire presentation telling you not to focus on that, it is possible to get direct client acquisition. But what Melissa's story also highlights is the power of authentic connections leading to unexpected and significant business growth.  

15:42 So I want you to focus on building genuine relationships within the right community and those positive results will follow. Now let's talk about some of the common pitfalls to avoid. Again, I really don't want networking to be a negative experience for you. So having avoiding these pitfalls from the start is going to make your life so much easier and then you know you won't have those negative experiences in the future so ditch the sales mindset. Don't go into the networking interaction with the sole intention of landing clients in that moment i just said that, but I'm going to say it again.  

16:22 Focus on building those genuine connections first. People can sense when you're trying to hard sell them you know this you know this because you've had this happen to you and it's awful. Talking too much and not listening. I want you all to be good listeners. Ask insightful questions about the other person, their business, their challenges, and genuinely show interest in what they have to say. Networking is a two way street It's like any other relationship that we are building. And if you went on a date or you went out to dinner with a friend and the entire time they talked to about themselves and you didn't get a word in edgewise, that would not be like the best date or dinner you ever attended in your life so remember, you know, it's it's the same with networking, asking questions that interchange, that dialogue.  

17:13 That's just, and that relieves some of that pressure, right? You don't have to be this perfect like tie, you know, tighten the tie elevator pitch perfect. You don't have to be that person you can just be your authentic you and ask questions and listen to the answers and have that dialogue. And we also want to conquer that fear of showing up, especially online. Overcoming your anxiety about this is crucial, and usually it's helpful. I know that past networking experiences might have felt awkward and unproductive, but when you find the right online community or virtual event, I promise you'll find a much more supportive and less intimidating atmosphere.  

17:57 And remember that everyone is there to connect we all have similar goals, so take a deep breath and start engaging. Even a simple hello in the chat can start a valuable connection. And then going in with vague goals is also a common pitfall that I see so instead of just thinking, get more clients, come to networking interactions with clearer goals like connect with potential referral partners in the coaching niche or find Podcast Coast, sorry, find podcast host, interview business experts.  

18:37 This focused approach is going to make your interactions more intentional and they will be so much more productive. You'll see higher return on investment because you had a clear goal in mind and you could have your the event could go a completely different way and you could end up having a new speaking opportunity or a cross promotion opportunity, but that's great. Like those are also wonderful so even if you're accomplishing a different goal than what you went into into the event hoping to achieve, having those like very specific goals from the top is going to make so much difference i'm telling you, it will make just all the difference in the world.  

19:17 Now it's time to put the strategies into action. And as a recovering teacher, I just can't resist giving you a little homework. So I want you to identify two to three online communities that seem relevant to your niche or places where you can find ideal collaborators where they might be active. So take some time this week to explore and introduce yourself in those spaces. I want you to schedule a virtual coffee with another online service provider that you admire or who offers complimentary services to reach out and suggest a brief like informal conversation to learn more about each other's work. And then remember to include your calendar link. So it's super duper easy and there are no barriers to connect just keep it short and sweet and send it.  

20:13 You've got this, I know it. Consider attending a virtual networking event I. I say consider, but I mean, I would like to tell you start attending virtual networking events. You're welcome to join us at District Bliss if that feels like a good fit. Otherwise, look for ones that are the right fit for you look for communities that are the right fit. And I want you to experience first hand how a supportive environment can make all the difference in your networking experience. And then grab my virtual business card template. I find that being prepared always makes me feel less anxious.  

20:48 So this has everything that you need in order to really like show up and, and everything's in one place so basically you can go and you have your links to connect, you have your elevator pitch, you have everything you might need to either share into the space or share into the chat or share in a breakout room. And that way you're prepared you aren't scrambling, you aren't having to to type while you're trying to listen and learn what other people do.  

21:15 You're not focused on all these different things you just have it open before you go and walk out the virtual door. And then you can just show up and be your authentic, amazing you and go through some of the effective networking strategies we just talked about. So remember that networking is a marathon, not a Sprint be patient with the process, be consistent with your efforts, and most importantly, be yourself. Authenticity shines through and builds the strongest connections and it really like it means that you're bringing people into your world that really want to be in your world and that you really want in your world too so showing up is yourself and being authentic is really going to make such a difference over all.  

22:03 I am confident that by shifting your mindset, focusing on genuine relationships, and leveraging the right online spaces, you will be able to achieve the visibility, credibility, and collaborative opportunities that you've been striving for. And I want to hear about that. So make sure you stay in touch. Thank you all for being here with me today i hope this presentation has provided you with some valuable insights into the power of networking and the right kind of networking so that you can go out there, connect authentically, and watch your visibility grow.  

22:37 And please stay in touch i can't wait to hear about it i want to hear all your successes. That's where you can find me and I will see you all soon.