7 ways online networking can help you grow your business more efficiently!

Are you still doing online networking? 

Or did you give it up when the world opened up again after Covid?  🤔

If you did, then this blog might make you want to give it a try again. Because if you’re a busy woman running your own business, there are many time and money benefits to adding some regular online networking in to accompany any in-person networking meetings you might attend.

Here are 7 powerful reasons to say yes to showing up virtually with other ambitious, supportive women in business. 

1. Get more connections to help you grow faster

Looking to grow your business, make real connections and boost your visibility but conscious that you don’t have endless time or money to network all day, every day?

Online networking with like-minded women could be your secret weapon.

Why? Well, you get to connect with more women faster and easier. You’ll be able to meet more people like you, who truly get the ups and downs of being on an entrepreneurial journey, who can offer useful suggestions and strategies and introduce you to other people who can support you to reach your goals.

2. Efficient, Powerful Networking in Just One Hour

Since Covid, we all love to be in a room with people. Feel that human connection, drink that coffee, eat that cake…🍰

But, the reality is that there are only so many in-person networking meetings you can fit in a week before your networking time starts to eat into the time you should be working. And if you don’t do the work, you can’t do the invoice!

That’s where online networking comes into its own. Small Business Vibes online networking meetings only last an hour – so it’s easy to fit one or two online networking meetings in a week without it hugely affecting your workload. There are lots of other benefits too, see point 3! 👇

3. Just networking. No faff.

As much as we love in-person networking, there’s a lot of other stuff that needs to be done before you go….

You’ve got to decide what to wear – tops and bottoms. No just dressing your top half like you can on Zoom!

There’s travel time to factor in. And working out the best place to park. Then time to walk from the car park to the venue. Plus the monetary factors associated with these aspects too, in terms of fuel and parking fees (although most of our Small Business Vibes in-person meetings have free parking right outside the venue, making it so much easier!).

In contrast, with online networking, you just have to log in to the meeting from the comfort of your office chair (or kitchen chair or sofa, or even your local coffee shop, depending on where you prefer to do your online networking!).

And an extra bonus of this is, if the kids are unexpectedly off school with a bug, or it’s school holiday time, or you’ve got a tradesperson coming round, you can probably still jump on the networking call as you’re not required to leave the house to attend!

That’s why online networking is perfect for busy women entrepreneurs, as it gives you a full hour of focused, valuable connections from wherever you need to be.

That one hour online can change your whole week for the better, just by surrounding yourself with positive people, and especially if you get an enquiry, order - or just a great new contact!

4. Become an Online Networking Subscription member, and you don't even have to book on!

We understand that, when you run your own business, you have to try to squeeze everything into your diary. Client meetings, admin time, working on projects – and then time for networking.

That’s why, sometimes, it’s not possible to book networking meetings as far in advance as you might ordinarily like, just in case a work-thing comes up.

And if you are working your business around kids, then there’s also school holidays, doctors’ appointments and all the other life admin to work around too!

We totally get it. That’s why, with Small Business Vibes Online Networking Subscription, we’ve taken another thing off your to-do list. Because as a member, not only do you get a huge discount on the price of the 8 online networking meetings that we run each month, but you don’t have to remember to book on for each online meeting. If you’re available, you can just log on and show up!

One less thing to worry about. You’re welcome! 😍

5. Cost-Effective and Budget Friendly

Whilst we all love a coffee and cake, or even going to whole hog and enjoying a full breakfast, we all have to watch our pennies – even if these can sometimes be classed as tax deductible expenses (but not always, so please check with your bookkeeper or accountant!).

The beauty of online networking is that you provide your own refreshments. Get yourself a coffee and a snack from the kitchen before you head back to your desk, and you’ve got everything you need without spending a penny.  

Online networking is budget-friendly whilst still being extremely high value. You only invest your time, yet get plenty in return.

6. Meaningful Chat Time

Properly organised online events are intentionally structured to help you meet as many people in the room as possible. In fact, at Small Business Vibes, we try to do that at all our meetings – online and in-person. That’s why we don’t have guest speakers, and instead, help you work the room as much as possible.

We don’t like networking meetings where you have to try to break into a conversation in a Zoom-room full of people so it's hard to get a word in. That’s why, with us, you’re welcomed into breakout rooms of just one or two people so you can maximise introductions and conversations.

In Small Business Vibes online meetings, we move you in and out of breakout rooms to keep the session fun and productive. Each breakout room gives you 10 full minutes to really talk – and there’s usually only one or two other people in each room so it’s easy to connect with each other. We find 10 minutes is the ideal time to build rapport, understand each others businesses, and plant the seed for a real relationship - not just a pitch.

Online networking rooms are full of creativity and insight. And whilst you’ll meet people in similar professions, sometimes a great idea can come from someone in a totally different industry, or even a different part of the world!

Online networking connects you with women from all walks of business life, offering fresh ideas and perspectives you might have never found in your own bubble. And a single conversation in a breakout room can give you a new idea, a needed mindset shift or a spark of energy that fuels your next big move.

7. You Rise with the Right People Around You

Your circle shapes your success. When you consistently network with encouraging, high-vibe, ambitious women, you elevate your mindset, your strategy and your results.

When people see you showing up regularly, you stay top of mind. That familiarity builds trust, and trust leads to business. Whether it’s collaborations, client referrals or speaking invites, it all starts with being present.

You’ll start to get more referrals that are on target with your ideal clients, because your network will understand who you are truly after. And the referrals will be better quality, because referrals from women who believe in your work hit differently. They’ll be warm introductions from people who already trust you, which means the lead is more likely to convert into a paying client or amazing collaboration.

Way beyond leads and referrals, regular networking builds genuine friendships. When you show up consistently, you become part of a supportive community that cheers for you in business, and in life!

And your people will be there for you in good times, and in bad. Business is a rollercoaster. A good networking community gives you a place to be honest, get support, and hear “I’ve been there too.”

It’s about more than leads - it’s about belonging. The right community lifts you higher, and online networking puts that within reach.

Ready to Find Your People?

Online networking isn’t just convenient, it’s transformational. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to your next level, showing up in the right rooms can change everything.

So, here’s your invitation to step in, speak up and start building the kind of connections that help your business (and you) thrive.

Come along to an online Small Business Vibes meeting, or jump in with both feet and take advantage of our Online Networking Subscription to grow connections faster whilst saving money!

Hope to see you in a Zoom-room soon! 😃