#buildconnections

Boost Your Dating Game with Conversation Confidence! 💬

Struggling to keep conversations flowing on dates? Conversation Confidence from SocialSelf is your secret weapon to chat effortlessly and spark real connections! 🌟 This self-paced course helps you overcome nervousness, ditch small talk, and build the confidence to express yourself authentically.

🎯 Why it's a dating must-have: With short videos and simple exercises (just 5-10 mins/day), you'll learn strategies to stay present, handle mental blocks, and turn polite chit-chat into flirty, meaningful exchanges. Perfect for networking crushes or deepening bonds—whether you're shy or just want to level up!

💬 What users say:

"A life-changing program! It transformed how I talk to women I like—now dates feel natural and fun." – Vitaly

"Helped me go from afraid to peaceful. Confidence skyrocketed, and I finally asked her out!" – FV

"Great for improving conversations without forcing it. I connected deeper on my last date." – Alexandre

Building solid relationships can be just as valuable as offering top-notch products or services in a competitive business world. According to entrepreneur and business strategist Cori Ann Russell, networking is one of the most powerful tools professionals can use to spark growth, boost learning, and reach their goals.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting, here are 7 reasons why business networking is essential, explained by Cori Ann Russell.

1. Opens the Door to New Opportunities

When you network with other professionals, you expose yourself to new ideas, projects, and partnerships. Cori Ann Russell emphasizes that many business deals and collaborations start with a simple conversation. By meeting the right people, you might come across opportunities that wouldn’t have appeared through job boards or online searches.

Pro Tip: Attend local business events, industry meetups, or even virtual networking sessions. You never know who you’ll meet!

2. Builds Strong Professional Relationships

Networking goes far beyond simply swapping business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn. According to Cori Ann Russell, it’s about building real, lasting relationships. These relationships often lead to trust, referrals, and long-term partnerships.

When you consistently show up and offer value, people are more likely to think of you when they need help—or when they hear of an opportunity that matches your skills.

3. Boosts Your Business Visibility

The more you network, the more people become familiar with you and your brand. Cori Ann Russell points out that this increased visibility can lead to better recognition in your industry. Over time, people will start associating you with your area of expertise.

This is especially important for small business owners and freelancers who rely heavily on word-of-mouth marketing.

4. Offers a Chance to Learn from Others

One of the best parts about business networking, according to Cori Ann Russell, is the opportunity to learn from other professionals. Whether it’s new strategies, market trends, or helpful tools, every conversation has the potential to teach you something valuable.

By surrounding yourself with knowledgeable and experienced people, you stay ahead of the curve and keep growing professionally.

5. Gives You Access to Mentors and Advisors

Having mentors can fast-track your business growth. Cori Ann Russell highlights how networking events often attract experienced professionals who are open to sharing advice. These mentors can help you avoid common mistakes and make smarter business decisions.

You don’t need to ask someone to be your official mentor. Sometimes, ongoing conversations and support can naturally turn into a mentoring relationship.

6. Provides Emotional and Professional Support

Let’s face it—running a business or climbing the career ladder can be tough. Cori Ann Russell believes that having a strong professional network can help you feel less alone. Talking to people who understand your challenges can provide encouragement and practical support.

Networking groups can act as your cheerleaders during tough times and celebrate with you when things go well.

7. Helps You Stay Motivated and Accountable

When you're surrounded by ambitious and goal-driven people, it’s easier to stay focused. Networking encourages you to keep pushing forward. Cori Ann Russell often says that being part of a motivated community keeps her inspired and accountable.

It’s easier to reach your goals when you share them with others who cheer you on and check in on your progress.

Final Thoughts

Business networking is more than just a professional activity—it’s a vital part of long-term success. As Cori Ann Russell explains, “Networking is about people, not pitches. When you focus on building genuine connections, the opportunities naturally follow.”

This is especially true for people who I actually care about, because there is a warm feeling that just blooms inside of me, a sense of affection, as the person talking to me shows a childlike wonder and joy through their gestures and the light in their eyes and the varying modulations of their voice. I feel special, honoured to be trusted enough for them to share this passion of theirs with me.

It doesn't matter if the topic they're interested in is gardening, or baking, or a certain type of dance, or their favourite book universe. I believe that anything is interesting when it is presented to you by someone who is truly passionate about it.

It's like when your English teacher is particularly amazing because they love that particular book with a passion and know it inside out and from every angle. Their teaching is fun because they put that extra enthusiasm into their teaching, pointing out their favourite bits and inserting their own opinions of ways certain parts could be interpreted. They're always energetic and raring to go in classes, because they love the book and what they're teaching so much. They show you movie adaptations and little skits on YouTube relating to the book that they particularly enjoyed.

Of course, the feelings this stirs in me are different when it comes to people who I like extra specially, the ones who make my heart beat a little faster. The feelings are more intense versions of how I would feel ordinarily. I find that the glow of excitement and enthusiasm in the other individual only makes them seem more attractive and I'll be honest when I say that it is actually kind of sexy (personal opinion here). The act of sharing feels so important and it truly makes my day.

So, I know that people do sometimes doubt themselves and think an interest of theirs is too weird for them to bring up to those around them, but I want to assure those people that the right people will find your enthusiasm about those interests to be endearing and simply something they love about you. It's not possible to know how someone else feels about you unless you've shown your true self. Also, there is the high chance that simply unveiling your interests can help you form true bonds with strangers.

For instance, you might go to the same school as someone and be in the same classes, but maybe you don't talk to each other because you've already got friendship groups and you've perhaps judged each other subconsciously. However, you're both huge fans of a particular book series and don't know that about each other, until you bring a book from that series into school one day. They notice and their eyes light up with excitement, but then they have the thought that perhaps you don't even like the book or maybe if they came up to you out of the blue to ask you about the book, you would be freaked out. Then, one of your friends teases you for reading that book for the third time this year and suddenly it's like that person's whole world lights up and they can't help but come up to you to chat to a fellow fan. You both bond over your shared interest in that book series. And there you go!

Small talk alone cannot build a relationship. Sharing of souls, even if it is only a little bit, is essential. A certain level of depth is needed because you cannot know much solely from small talk.