Despite the progress that women have made in the world, they still have to fight to be trusted in the business sphere. This is why it is important that they use the tools that they have available to them to build their credibility. As they build their credibility, women must also regularly network and win over their various stakeholder groups. According to studies, women tend to focus on their job instead of networking, which puts them at a disadvantage when they need support and resources. To build authority and improve their chances of becoming successful, female entrepreneurs should network more.

One of the most important factors that women can consider when it comes to building their credibility is storytelling. This is because it can help them connect with their potential customers and build strong connections. Here are some tips to keep in mind when networking with other professionals to present a confident, authoritative story of who you are and why your business is important.

  1. Talk Confidently and Often

Getting a speaking engagement is the best way to build your credibility and ensure that you have the authority to make decisions in the business world. However, it can be hard for women to get a speaking gig due to the underrepresentation of women in the speaker lineup. According to some, the underrepresentation of women in the speaker lineup is not just a statistical phenomenon, it’s intentional.

Before you start thinking about getting a speaking engagement, it’s important that you identify the target audience that you want to reach and the places where you can speak. You can also follow the path of a prominent peer to find out where they have been speaking. Having a free speaking engagement will allow you to improve and develop your skills.

  1. Learn to Make Intentional Connections

One of the first questions that potential clients and investors ask when they meet you is: “Tell me about yourself.” This is a common sentiment that many people tend to ask when they meet new people. However, how you answer that question can make a big difference. Studies suggest that people like people to whom they can relate, so when you’re asked this question, don’t just spout off a rehearsed and general summary. Offer some facts and tidbits that might be particularly interesting to the person you are speaking with.

Being able to answer this question with a compelling story that resonates with the people that you are speaking with is very important in order to build credibility. This doesn’t mean that you have to offer people mirrors of themselves. Instead, you can create a story that is universal and can make them think about how it relates to their own story.

  1. Shameless Self-Promotion

There is a lot of research out there that shows how self-promotion can have a negative effect on women. One of the most important steps that women can take is to get over it and get their name out there. Aside from writing an essay, you can also ask a radio station for advice or take calls. Having professional outlets like these creates a sense of authority in people’s minds. Don’t be afraid of talking yourself up–as long as you do it tastefully, it is usually more helpful than harmful.

  1. Receive and Welcome Feedback

One of the most important factors that you can look at when it comes to assessing the success of your story is how it made the listener feel. This is because credibility is often lost in the intangible aspects of communication. Having a mentor or a test audience can help you identify what the audience is feeling after hearing your story. Credibility is often lost in the intangible aspects of communication. Ask the audience if they feel that the topic was unclear. Getting feedback from a trusted source can help you adjust your answers and delivery to be more confident and authoritative.