Networking for women in business: Why connection comes first
People don’t just buy products or services. They buy people. Consciously or unconsciously, we all choose to do business with those we like, trust and feel connected to.
You could have the most innovative service or high-quality product on the market, but without that human connection, it’s difficult to build momentum. That’s why, at The Rising Tide Collective, we believe that networking should be about connection, not just selling.
Whether you’re new to networking or looking to expand your reach as a female entrepreneur, these three simple strategies can help you move from transactional exchanges to genuine, lasting business relationships.
1. Put a pause on the elevator pitch
Attending a networking event where everyone is pitching at you can feel like watching a TV show with constant ads. Irritating, distracting, exhausting.
Not only does it drain you, but it also drains your audience. Why not lead with curiosity instead? Find common ground. Ask questions. Connect on a human level.
You may never get to your “sales pitch” and that’s okay. You might be enjoying the conversation so much that you forget about business goals for a moment and just become your authentic self. That’s the version of you people are more likely to remember.
2. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable
As Simon Sinek teaches, people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And your “why” often comes from your story.
Maybe motherhood shifted your priorities, leading you to start your own business. Maybe a pivotal life event inspired you to help others through your work.
These personal moments help others connect to you and through you, your brand. In a world filled with polished pitches, vulnerability cuts through the noise.
3. Focus on the long term
When you approach networking as a long game, you’ll build something deeper than a contact list. You’ll build a community.
Think about it: Would you prefer a one-time buyer, or someone who returns month after month and becomes your biggest advocate?
Trust and loyalty aren’t built overnight. Meaningful business relationships, like friendships, need time and intention to grow.
That’s why at Rising Tide, we prioritise relationships first, and business naturally follows.
The power of beautiful spaces
At The Rising Tide Collective, we’re proud to host our events in stunning, female-friendly venues like Duxford Lodge.
Spaces like The Lodge set the tone: welcoming, inspiring, elegant. When you bring ambitious, heart-led women together in a space designed for connection, walls come down, conversations flow and real relationships form.
Beautiful venues don’t just elevate the experience. They enhance the quality of connection.
We’re proud to create spaces where women in business feel relaxed, seen and ready to share who they are and what they’re building.
Let’s build something meaningful together
The Rising Tide Collective is more than a networking group. It’s a movement built by and for ambitious women who are ready to rise together.
We create authentic networking events across Essex, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, where connection comes first and business comes naturally.
If you’re ready to grow your business alongside like-minded women in beautiful spaces like Duxford Lodge, we’d love to welcome you.
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Networking for women in business: Why connection comes first
People don’t just buy products or services. They buy people. Consciously or unconsciously, we all choose to do business with those we like, trust and feel connected to.
You could have the most innovative service or high-quality product on the market, but without that human connection, it’s difficult to build momentum. That’s why, at The Rising Tide Collective, we believe that networking should be about connection, not just selling.
Whether you’re new to networking or looking to expand your reach as a female entrepreneur, these three simple strategies can help you move from transactional exchanges to genuine, lasting business relationships.
1. Put a pause on the elevator pitch
Attending a networking event where everyone is pitching at you can feel like watching a TV show with constant ads. Irritating, distracting, exhausting.
Not only does it drain you, but it also drains your audience. Why not lead with curiosity instead? Find common ground. Ask questions. Connect on a human level.
You may never get to your “sales pitch” and that’s okay. You might be enjoying the conversation so much that you forget about business goals for a moment and just become your authentic self. That’s the version of you people are more likely to remember.
2. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable
As Simon Sinek teaches, people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. And your “why” often comes from your story.
Maybe motherhood shifted your priorities, leading you to start your own business. Maybe a pivotal life event inspired you to help others through your work.
These personal moments help others connect to you and through you, your brand. In a world filled with polished pitches, vulnerability cuts through the noise.
3. Focus on the long term
When you approach networking as a long game, you’ll build something deeper than a contact list. You’ll build a community.
Think about it: Would you prefer a one-time buyer, or someone who returns month after month and becomes your biggest advocate?
Trust and loyalty aren’t built overnight. Meaningful business relationships, like friendships, need time and intention to grow.
That’s why at Rising Tide, we prioritise relationships first, and business naturally follows.
The power of beautiful spaces
At The Rising Tide Collective, we’re proud to host our events in stunning, female-friendly venues like Duxford Lodge.
Spaces like The Lodge set the tone: welcoming, inspiring, elegant. When you bring ambitious, heart-led women together in a space designed for connection, walls come down, conversations flow and real relationships form.
Beautiful venues don’t just elevate the experience. They enhance the quality of connection.
We’re proud to create spaces where women in business feel relaxed, seen and ready to share who they are and what they’re building.
Let’s build something meaningful together
The Rising Tide Collective is more than a networking group. It’s a movement built by and for ambitious women who are ready to rise together.
We create authentic networking events across Essex, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, where connection comes first and business comes naturally.
If you’re ready to grow your business alongside like-minded women in beautiful spaces like Duxford Lodge, we’d love to welcome you.
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Sinem Yildirim
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