4 Ways to Boost Your Confidence as a Woman in Business
As a woman in business, you will have the drive, passion, and skill set to run a successful enterprise. However, when it comes to business growth or accessing opportunities for professional development any lack of self-confidence can be a block.
Can you relate to that? Have you ever stopped yourself because you didn’t feel equipped to handle an event, situation, or opportunity?
Here at Women’s Business Networking, we pride ourselves on providing a safe and supportive environment for women, like you, to boost confidence, set boundaries, and learn from like-minded ladies.
There are many ways you can improve your confidence, including coaching, mentoring, affirmations, and understanding your body language. The four key areas we are sharing here have helped our members move out of their comfort zone and excel in business.
Practise your 60-second pitch
At most networking events, whether face-to-face or virtual, you will have a chance to introduce yourself and your business to the group. Being in the spotlight can be uncomfortable and overwhelming for many people. The thought of talking about yourself (selling yourself!) might be difficult.
You may have experienced that panic of speaking in front of a group and babbling instead of leading with a well thought out sentence. It is far too easy to be knocked off balance when you feel underprepared.
Working out what you want to include in your 60-second pitch ahead of time takes the stress and anxiety out of what to say. By practising your introduction before any event you cut down on those feelings of panic and allow yourself to feel and look confident – even if you’re scared on the inside.
Jot down what you want to say and read it over and over until you feel sure you can remember it without your notes. Now practise in front of the mirror or say it out loud to a friend or family member you trust. The next time you give a 60-second pitch, you will be able to recite your introduction with confidence.
Reach out to your network
We talk about the benefits of networking all the time, but when it comes to boosting your confidence, the networking community is essential.
The obvious reasons spring to mind; meeting like-minded women, sharing what you do with a wider audience, opening yourself up to collaborations, and attracting potential clients. From a boosting your confidence point of view, the network extends to surrounding yourself with intelligent, smart, and empathic women who can support and guide you.
“Women’s Business Networking provides a safe and supportive community to share and explore business ideas. I joined the community a year ago and my business has gone from strength to strength. I have met a number of businesses that I was able to collaborate with and support as well as mentors who have offered invaluable advice along my journey. I highly recommend joining this diverse and professional group of ladies.” Andrea Rainsford, SEO Angel.
You never have to feel isolated again when you reach out to your network. The community as a whole can offer help, answer questions, act as beta testers for new services or products, provide testimonials or case studies, and become the sounding board you need to grow your business with confidence.
Start off-screen
How often do you see Facebook lives or videos from your peers on your newsfeed? Do you wish you had the confidence to put yourself out there in a similar way and interact with your audience?
Getting in front of the camera, or standing on a stage, can be the most terrifying thing in the world, but there are simpler ways to build your confidence using much smaller steps.
Most coaches will break down a big goal into manageable chunks, and that is a brilliant way to manage your confidence. Don’t want to be on video? Why not do a podcast instead?
Founder of Women’s Business Network, Sharon Louca, was a guest on the Make it Real Podcast with Trisha Lewis. You can listen to that HERE.
Most podcasts are audio-only which makes a great stepping stone for building your confidence. The host is often a seasoned podcaster and knows how to put you at ease with their questions. Most episodes are like having a chat with friends, and this comes across in the final edit. Once you are comfortable in this arena, you might feel better prepared to tackle video.
Be an eternal student
The phrase ‘knowledge is power’ must certainly be mentioned when it comes to boosting your confidence. When you know what you are doing or what you are talking about you operate with a different energy.
Has anyone ever told you that you ‘light up’ when talking about your chosen topic? When you know your subject matter inside out your confidence will be high.
At Women’s Business Networking we understand the importance of providing learning opportunities via our monthly workshop sessions. Confidence comes from understanding that you won’t always have the answers, but that you can discover them within your community.
“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” Peter T. McIntyre
What else can you do to boost your confidence?
Joining a like-minded networking group that supports your business journey and encourages your self-confidence growth is a worthwhile investment.
When you feel confident about running your business, showing up and sharing, and asking for advice it makes it easier to raise the visibility of your personal and business brand.
At Women’s Business Networking we pride ourselves on providing exceptional value for our members through our range of workshops and networking events. We introduce high calibre guest speakers to share their business knowledge on a wide range of topics from social media platforms, accounting and money mindset, to sales and HR.
It’s impossible to know everything, and sometimes you don’t have the time, resources, or energy to do the necessary research. Not only do we provide inspirational guest speakers for our networking sessions, but our members also have exclusive access to a panel of experts who specialise in business processes, sales and marketing, SEO and visibility, and human resources. They get the help and advice they need when they need it.
What else do the members get?
- Member profile – Our website is the hub of the network where we share resources, event information, an informative blog, and an overview of our lovely members. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of this SEO (search engine optimised) promotion by adding your name, business details, and biography to the membership portal for visitors to read.
- Online Meetings – Geography, time restrictions, and workload can hinder our attempts to network effectively; that’s why our virtual networking sessions are so popular. We have members and guests attend our meetings from all over the globe, making this network a great way to reach a much wider audience. As part of your membership, you receive two free online meetings per month.
- Dedicated Facebook Group – Our dedicated Facebook group provides our members with a safe space to engage, ask questions, and meet other members. We understand that our online networking sessions are essential for meeting like-minded ladies and introducing your products or services to others. Our Facebook group is the perfect place to interact on the go with fellow members. Ask questions, share advice, tips, and experiences, and learn more about your fellow business owners.
Find out more about the support, online meetings, and guest speakers we have coming up at the Women’s Business Networking group via our website.
Alternatively, get in touch to discover how membership to Women’s Business Networking can benefit you and your business.
Business Networking can benefit you and your business by booking a free discovery call with our founder Sharon Louca
