Building a Positive Network – The lessons I learnt

Building a positive network | Maroon Oak
The one thing that plays a major part in the jog to our destination is taking each other forward.
The one thing that plays a major part in the jog to our destination is taking each other forward.
Generosity in career
As a 14 year old working on a novel on her first computer, my only ambition was to become a writer.
Fast forward – after years of blogging off and on, and five years of enjoying motherhood in all its glory, I’m now living my childhood dream –  writing. I’m a contributor to popular publications and am starting a magazine of my own!
It wasn’t without it’s struggles. I plunged into blogging to give a positive direction to my parenting loneliness. It took over 60+ rejections and a lot of late nights learning the intricacies of blogging, before I found my voice.
The beauty of today’s connected digital space is that you don’t have to do this alone. With hard work, persistence, digital smarts and a little bit of luck you can achieve your dreams. And much, much more.

I believe that the one other thing that plays a major part in the jog to our destination is taking each other forward.

In all the years I’ve been blogging, I was fortunate to connect with many people who have helped me with my questions and offered me direction when I needed it most.
So how did I find these amazing people ?

4 Simple ways to Building a Positive Network:

Keep Your Interactions Real

Over the past 10 years, I’ve tried to engage with collaborators online in a consistent and authentic way. By showing real interest in people and being myself even in an online space, I have made relationships that have lasted me over time. I’m grateful for the support they continue to provide me even after being out of touch intermittently.
That is why, when I launched my new venture, an online magazine titled – Raising World Children, I’ve had over 75 contributors since our announcement.
These are people who have faith in my dream and encourage me to push harder as friends and co-writers.
What worked for me? Over the years,
  • I have visited other people’s blogs and left genuine comments.
  • Reciprocated when someone left a genuine comment of appreciation on mine.
  • Cheered their wins, once we became friends on social media.
  • Never spammed people with requests to comment or follow back.
  • Always waited before sending my blog/social media links after we connected online.
  • By being professional in my approach. Just because we are Instagram friends, doesn’t mean we are buddies.

Bloggers in your niche are your colleagues. Treat them as such.

Ask For Help

The second trick to finding amazing mentors and teachers is by asking.
Yes! The simple questions, “Can you tell me … ? ” or ” Do you know how … ?” are often answered in detail or help you find the path forward. Most of us hesitate in showing our weakness or ignorance. But most people in the online world know that they have been down this road too.

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Also read How to Seek, Meet & Grow with a Mentor

Learn To Hear No

We often hear ” Learn to say no.”
But in life it’s important to learn how to process the negative responses you will get to hear. Notice, I say you “will” get. You will meet people who are not open to questions or working together. And that is Okay.
Maybe they just don’t know how to help. Don’t take that No personally. Turn it into a positive instead.
  • Assess you experience.
  • Question your approach.
  • Adapt your question/voice.
  • Try again.
For my magazine when I reach out for collaborations, I’m not always met with an enthusiastic response. I learn from my experience and move on.

Not everyone and not every idea is going to be a part of your journey.

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Offer Help First

I can’t stress this enough. The publisher of the book ‘100 Moms One Journey’ is a friend and a selfless person. No question put towards her is left unanswered. She’s taught me the more you give, the more you receive. She guided me to the right coaches and helped me get the idea for starting my own magazine.

I pay forward that which I have received.

Which is why I frequently offer to edit content for nugenerosity is great for building a positive networkmerous writers who need help reviewing their stories before submission to any publication.

Also read 14 Great Ways Entrepreneurs Collaborate to Win

Last year, for the upcoming book , I edited 5 stories by other women writers and
in the process made great friends. They support me on my blogging journey and we encourage each other with tips and suggestions in writing. The testimonials some of them provided for my editing are a testament to our great working relationships.
Many of the talented bloggers I have connected with, are currently contributing writers with me on my new venture. Some are helping with me graphics, others with the marketing.

Be generous personally and professionally. Like karma, it all comes back.

Maybe not from the person you helped but from a totally new source that you never expected.
I wish you luck on your journey and offer you help should you ever need it! Let’s take each other forward and together create a strong online network.

Aditi Wardhan Singh is the founder of the upcoming web magazine : Raising World Children – where culture meets parenting. With 80+ contributors the magazine will provide tools to parents to empower their children to be positive, gracious global thought leaders. She started as a mom blogger who now writes for large publications like Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Richmond Moms Blog etc.

In her spare time she volunteers as social media manager for Circle of Peace International, a non profit raising resources for children in Uganda. Her passions include raising her two beautiful children, choreographing dance dramas and social events.

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28 Comments
  1. Lebogang Xolo 6 years ago

    I love the “Ask for Help” line. Most people feel dumb or vulnerable just for asking a question or admitting they need help. I’ve learned over the years to never stop asking. Great article.

  2. Shubhada Bhide 6 years ago

    These are some great tips. I will surely try this soon. Thanks for sharing this with us. It would be so helpful.

  3. Sahar 7 years ago

    I recently talked to a blogger who used to ask me for information back then when he was beginning and thanked me so much for being kind! He told me how it is funny to see people who were rude to him back then are good to him now that he is an established blogger! Alwaya be kind to anyone approaching you for help!

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      Yes. And the most amazing thing is people notice everything. Even indifference. So we need to just be kind to everyone we meet. Thank you for sharing your experience.

  4. Only By Land 7 years ago

    I don’t have your experience in writing and blogging so it’s very valuable to hear your tips on how to succeed. I agree with you so much about reading other peoples articles and leaving positive, respectful and meaningful comments, this method I see is working for me in my early blogging life. It’s also a good way to see what other bloggers are doing and how they are organizing their blogs. Let’s hope like karma it all comes back!

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      It will. Keep at it and it will. Just be honest and authentic in everything you do. best of luck to you. Let me know if you need any help.

  5. Jolene 7 years ago

    I learned so much from this! Wishing you luck with your upcoming magazine

  6. cheryl 7 years ago

    Congratulations on launching your own magazine! I’ve had the same struggles myself when I started my blog. Getting out there making connections is difficult. I’m slowly but surely beginning to grow a small network which has motivated me and made me very thankful.

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      Thank you so much. I am so excited for the same. The positive vibes you get from your tribe surely help you along and push you harder. All the best.

  7. Loving.ones 7 years ago

    Networking is such a vital task in most of business and even in a normal basis life. Definetly need to take notes on this. It was great reading this! Thank you for every piece of advice!

  8. Ruchika 7 years ago

    Really inspiring.You have put soul in ur article.its the voice of many other people.

  9. Japji 7 years ago

    Love this post! Blogging world is such a peoples business that you need to build a solid network with people, brands and PR if you want to be successful. Building genuine connections is the most important part of it!

  10. Jessica 7 years ago

    This is really a great and genially helpful post. As a fairly new mom and fashion blogger, I love learning new yet simple techniques to get myself going in this field. Thank you for the knowledge! xo, Jessica

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      I’m glad you found the post helpful jessica. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

  11. Shane 7 years ago

    It’s so important to have a strong support team behind you every step of the way. Solid tips!

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      Thanks Shane. Yes, without a good support anything is harder in life than it needs to be.

  12. Liz 7 years ago

    Thank you so much for these great tips! I need to start working on my network, so this was very helpful.

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      You are most welcome Liz. Please let me know if we can connect as well. I would love to get to know you better.

  13. Dennis Kenney 7 years ago

    Sending out positive energy is what really resonated with me in this article. So important.

  14. Lacee 7 years ago

    These are great tips for anyone to follow. I especially like the advice to wait before sending social media links after connecting online.

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      Haha Lacee. Yes! Isn’t it irritating and unseemly to say the least, to have someone spam you with content immediately after becoming “friends” 🙂

  15. Yulianna 7 years ago

    Great and honest post. I liked these tips, will try them soon. You are a very good writer. Thank you 🙂

    • Aditi Wardhan Singh Author
      Aditi Wardhan Singh 7 years ago

      Thank you for your comment Yulianna. I do appreciate you taking the time to read.

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