3 Powerful Steps To Land Incredible Business Connections
If it’s not what you know, but who you know, then how do you amplify who you know? According to Powerful Steps founder Tory Archbold, who has founded two global businesses, powerful networking is all about developing the confidence to approach others and form connections.
Take it from the woman whose connections landed her a deal representing Drew Barrymore’s beauty brand, and who has sat down for a chat with the likes of Pip Edwards and Marianne Williamson on her Powerful Stories podcast.
Read on for Tory’s three powerful steps you can take to confidently connect with others – and take your brand next-level.
Networking Step #1: Make the first power move
Creating a powerful network of business contacts takes time, effort and commitment. My own wide network has helped me to land many big deals in business – from launching Drew Barrymore’s beauty brand into the Australian market, to representing big brands like Nespresso as PR clients – and land numerous high-profile guests on my Powerful Stories podcast, but it wasn’t developed overnight.
In fact, my network was created with coffee (really!). Through my two-decade commitment to initiating three coffee dates a week – one with someone within my existing network, one with someone I’d like to partner with, and one with somebody outside my comfort zone – I’ve built a little black book so valuable I’d rescue it first in a fire (ok, maybe second after my family).
I did this by reaching out to people I admire, would like to learn from, or whose high-vibe energy I want to soak up in-person (or over Zoom, as the case may be) and simply asking them out on a date. I always make sure to first do a deep dive on the person I’m reaching out to – because when you lead with a congratulatory note on a recent achievement, or mention something else that shows you’ve taken the time to do your research, this shows a level of respect that the other person will appreciate and hopefully, reciprocate.
The beauty of making the first move in 2022 is you can do it via email (gone are the days of cold-calling, right!) so it’s easy, quick and you don’t feel like you’re putting yourself out there as much as you would if you say, approached them in person. Bonus: one thing I’ve learnt in over two decades of coffee dates is that most people are flattered to be asked, and you’ll get more yeses than no’s – trust me. If you want some motivation and accountability to make the first move and build up your own little black book, join the Powerful Steps Coffee Challenge right this way.
Networking Step #2: Be in it for the long-game
Once you have connected with someone you would like to partner with, it’s not necessarily about jumping in right away with a request. Rather than immediately hitting someone up for their time or expertise, building deep relationships is about nurturing your connections over time. Then, when the timing is right, an opportunity for you to partner together will appear.
Through the power of networking, I have landed many amazing guests on my podcast, from Antonia Kidman and Stephanie Rice to Camilla Franks and Elle Ferguson. But I didn’t achieve this through simply pillaging my contacts book (and those of people I know) – instead, I work on the understanding that when the timing is right, the teacher appears.
The Powerful Stories podcast is a platform for others to share the power of their stories and life experiences to shine a light for others – and I know that when your mission is aligned, partnerships happen effortlessly when the time is right.
Networking Step #3: Make it about them, not you
Now that you have taken the first two steps of reaching out, and beginning to nurture your connections, the next step is to ensure the connection is one of value for your contact, by delivering value to them. That’s right – I believe that all powerful connections are based on a mutual exchange of energy, so instead of focusing on what you can gain from the interaction, create space for a two-way street between you by offering to them first.
Through my network, which I have developed by going on three coffee dates a week, my connections are all anchored to my values: passion, intent and delivery. When you take people on a journey with what you create and deliver and are not afraid to step up and share your knowledge with them, you build trust and authenticity with your network. When people lean into this, they are more likely to recommend you on to other high-vibrational people in their own networks, as well as wanting to partner with you themselves.
Before you know it, your little black book will be budding with powerful business connections, and thanks to your clever networking, your brand will be soaring beyond your wildest dreams. Ready, set…
Want to join Tory Archbold’s community of high-powered female entrepreneurs seeking to thrive in business and in life? Sign up to the #coffeechallenge today, right this way. Ready to dive right in with some powerful business mentoring? Get the insider info on Tory’s sell-out Business Attraction Program here.
