At its core, the term “solopreneur” is exactly what it sounds like someone who organizes, manages, and assumes all the risks of running a business without taking on a partner. If you’ve ever dreamed of going into business for yourself, being your own boss, and truly being beholden to nobody, being a solopreneur is likely something you’ll want to explore.
This position requires self-starting, comfort with risk, adapting to changing conditions and overcoming unexpected challenges, and strategic networking and leveraging connections effectively—much more than people realize.
It would be a grave mistake to assume that just because you’re a solopreneur means you’ll be “going at it alone” 100% of the time. If you do want to get better at leveraging your connections as a solopreneur, there are several important tips you’ll want to keep in mind.
1. Nurture Existing Relationships
One of the biggest mistakes that new solopreneurs, in particular, tend to make is forgetting about their existing relationships. People get so concerned about getting out there and meeting new people that they don’t think about turning to the ones they already know.
Your network must indeed expand – bringing new people into the fold as often as possible. But don’t forget about the ones who are already there. Maintain regular communication whenever possible. Do this, even to check in with someone or remind them you’re out there.
Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while and see if there’s anything you can do to help them. Offer them something of value without expecting anything in return. This is the perfect way to ensure that positive relationships stay that way, even as your efforts expand.
2. Leverage Industry-Specific Communities
It’s always a good idea to join general and industry-specific business communities whenever possible.
While it is true that you will derive value from a community focused on general business topics or dedicated to solopreneurs, you should also go deeper. If you’re interested in wholesale real estate, for example, you should at least join local real estate communities in your area. If you can find one dedicated to this niche, that’s even better.
Similarly, attend as many in-person networking events as possible and try to expand your reach. Never underestimate the difference a friendly smile and a warm handshake can make when meeting someone new. Someone might remember your email, but the chances are much higher that they’ll remember your face.
3. Be Active on Social Media Platforms
Another great tip for leveraging connections as a solopreneur involves the various social media platforms that are popular today. LinkedIn, in particular, is a professional-driven social media network that far too many people aren’t using. According to one recent study, over 16% of LinkedIn users log in and check their feeds at least once daily. This is a great level of exposure you don’t want to pass up.
In addition to building connections, it can be a perfect chance to generate leads and create new business opportunities for yourself. In terms of fostering connections, it’s also the perfect chance to establish yourself as a thought leader and a trusted authority voice. You can shed light on important topics that are going on in your industry or contribute to discussions that people are already having.
You can make business-related connections on other networks like Facebook, to be sure. However, LinkedIn is the social media platform you’ll likely want to start with if you want to focus on your efforts as a solopreneur.
4. Collaborate with Other Entrepreneurs
Leveraging connections as a solopreneur can also be a mutually beneficial experience. It’s not just “I do something for you, you do something for me later” or vice versa. You can both benefit simultaneously – as is the case when you collaborate on projects with one another.
This is a perfect opportunity for complementary professionals to play to each other’s strengths. It also gives both of you a unique chance to expand your own personal networks.
5. Embrace Referrals
Finally, don’t underestimate how important referrals can be to your ongoing success as a solopreneur.
If you go out of your way to provide exceptional, unforgettable service to an existing client, word-of-mouth will help you. One satisfied person tells two friends, who tell five more, etc. Soon, you’re generating new business based on your reputation, which is an exciting position for any solopreneur.
Solopreneurs Need Connections, Too
Overall, these are just a few of the tips that you can use to start leveraging your connections better as a solopreneur. But maybe the most important lesson is that you need to get comfortable with this process over the long term.
Just as it would be a mistake to assume that you don’t need any connections at all to get started, it would be equally problematic to think that your connections are only something you need in the beginning. Yes, these people will help you get off the ground. But you’ll need them moving forward as well.
Being a solopreneur means always working towards that “next level” regarding your own success. The people who helped get you to the first level may not be able to take you to the second, the third, or beyond. Therefore, you always need to make new connections and meet new people. You always need to figure out what you can do for others, just like you should think about how they might help you.
As is true with most other things in your professional life, these are connections that you’ll come to rely on again and again. You’ll improve and evolve, and the people around you will change. But they don’t stop being important – not if you’re making continuous improvement the priority it needs to be.
That’s what it means to be a solopreneur, and as long as you always remember that, there’s truly no limit to what you can accomplish.
