Uncomplicating Connection - The Secret-Sauce of Business Success

By Sara Torpey, Business Coach at Torpey Coaching and Creator of Selling for Weirdos

There are a million books and podcasts and programs and experts that want to sell you the magical secret-sauce to business success. 

I’ve read a lot of them. I’ve listened to tons. I’ve bought more than a few.

And what I’ve seen time and time again is that at the core of every program or book or podcast that aims to help you create success is CONNECTION.

Yes, this is where you can roll your eyes - as long as you also keep reading 🙂

You’ve heard the proverb: ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’

You’ve been told to network and follow up and put people into your CRM and schedule check-ins and build referral partnerships and ALLLL the things.

Which you *can* do (and might be doing really well, go you!).

And also?

All of these things to do ultimately come down to ONE thing which is creating actual human connection.

Because actual human connection IS the secret-sauce of business success.

Why?

Because people buy from people. The internet doesn’t buy from you or me - people do. And the more people you actually know the more people that know YOU and what you do. 

‘Okay, super…’ you might be thinking, ‘...and how does one actually DO that and not have it be super awkward or salesy or COMPLICATED?’

Here are the three things that will help you to uncomplicate connection right now.

1 - Follow your curiosity. 

If there is a human who shows up in your world and you’d like to know them better - DO THAT. There is no need to over think ‘is this someone who will help my business grow?’ or ‘will they be a good referral partner?’ or even ‘how will they help me?’

If you’re curious, ask them to connect (but before you friend-request them, see #2).

2 - Ask them to have a 1:1 conversation.

Human connection might start in your social feed - there’s where you find people to be curious about -  but that’s not the *actual* connection part. 

Connection is built through conversation. Face to face (zoom is fine!). In real time. 

Be a person who TALKS to other people (because, remember, people buy from people!)

3 - Leave your agenda, but not your expertise, at the door. 

When you talk with someone 1:1, let it be a conversation. Be nosy, ask questions - about work, sure, but about whatever else made you curious in the first place. And when/if the conversation comes to a place that touches your expertise, where you could help them? Say so. Do not hide your expertise because you want to avoid seeming salesy (at the cost of being useful!).

Offer the tool you have. Make an introduction for them. Ask the question they’ll be thinking about next month. Tell them what you have to share, and let them do with it what they will.

THEN, once you actually *know* this person a little? Connect on the socials, invite them to stuff, follow up - STAY connected (but it’s a heck of a lot less complicated now to do this, since you actually know each other), and let the power of your connection be what powers your business (because it will!).

Ready to uncomplicate connecting and the success that comes from being connected?

These three steps are a great start. I’d love to hear about how they work for you!

Since we’re talking about connection, I’d love to invite you to join me in one of MY favorite places to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, The Prosper Network. Come feel welcomed by the community, connected to an AMAZING group of women, and invited into new (powerful!) relationships. I’ll see you inside! 

Sara Torpey is the creator of Selling for Weirdos and a Business Coach at Torpey Coaching. She helps the teachers, helpers, and givers of the business world sell more and help more people by GIVING + INVITING instead of convincing.

You can learn more and find a time to CONNECT with her on her website.