You may think of business networking as an “on the surface” superficial way of meeting new prospects, exchanging business cards, that may not really lead to building new, “genuine” connections, let alone a business relationship.

Yet…being a woman-owned business owner can get lonely. And you do know that getting out there is important, if not critical to your business success. We’re here to tell you that business networking, especially with like-minded people can be a great way to get out of your comfort zone, expand your contact base, build confidence, possibly even find a mentor and most importantly get results.

Here are top 3 reasons to attend business networking events if you are a woman-owned business:

1. Step out of your comfort zone

Meeting people at networking events forces you to step out of your comfort zone.

There’s something about face-to-face contact that is essential to building your confidence, that you just can’t do by asking a question on a group webinar for instance.

Some people are naturals, but for most networking can be a real challenge. Conferences are a great way to break out and build your self-esteem. Still, if you’re really uncomfortable to go it alone, bring a colleague along!

2. Meet driven, like-minded individuals

Think you’re the only business owner experiencing certain ups and downs and challenges of running a business?

When you sit in a room full of other like-minded people who are in the same boat as you, it can be a real eye-opener and a great way to learn new tips and techniques to improve your skills and leadership style, that you can bring back to your organization.

There’s also something to be said about people who attend conferences — they paid to get here and be here. There’s no doubt these are driven, determined individuals who want to “better” themselves, and there’s a lot you can learn by just being in that energy.

3. Share the same space with experts

Conferences often give you the opportunity to be around experts that perhaps there’s no way you could have managed to meet on your own, or have had the time to meet individually.

When you share the same space with an expert, you can learn directly from them, see how they approach obstacles, discover their challenges and their “journey” to get where they are today — which can all be greatly inspiring, especially if your business idol is on stage!

You might even get to ask a question or two, or meet them after a session or workshop.

If you’re still not convinced, remember that you may just find yourself sitting opposite your next big customer at a roundtable session.