6 Tips for Successful Virtual Networking During the Pandemic
Networking successfully may lead to mentoring, professional development, friendship, and career advancement.
Of course, things have changed as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Not only are many more of us working from home, but professional and business gatherings of all sizes have been postponed or rescheduled for online formats. All of these developments create impediments to the sorts of accidental encounters that may start friendships that lead to lasting partnerships.
However, this does not rule out the possibility of networking. Networking is connecting, and we all need more connections right now. Reframe the word “networking” to mean “reaching out to connect on a deeper level”. Right now, we are all suffering loss as a group. The loss of human connection is taking its toll on everyone, no matter who they are or where they are on the globe. This is the moment to reach out and initiate discussions using whichever methods seem most comfortable to you.
While in the past, networking possibilities were restricted to being in—or being able to go to—a certain physical place, there are now numerous chances to interact with individuals and organisations regardless of where you or they are located on the globe.
With the development of virtual conferences and real-time networking solutions, we now have platforms that enable us to pop in spontaneously to events whenever we have the time.
Here are six tips to assist you to establish new connections via digital media even if the epidemic is ongoing.
1. Make Use of the Chat Function During Virtual Events
Instead of getting to know the person you might run into in the hall or sit next to at an in-person event, chatbox within virtual events has “become the new conference hallway.”
If the presenter invites participants to identify themselves during the conversation, take advantage of the chance to tell them who you are and what you do:
Include your name, a one-sentence summary of what you do, and your LinkedIn URL, as well as the fact that you’re eager to meet new people.
Keep things brief since these chat boxes may rapidly fill up with remarks and participants will likely skim past these introductions.
Maintain LinkedIn open throughout the virtual event so that you may reply to and start new connection requests in real-time. Also, be sure to mention the event in the texts you send with LinkedIn connection requests.
2. Participate in the Clubhouse Discussion
Join Rooms That Look Interesting (but Aren’t Overcrowded)
When you’ve joined, raise your hand and, when called upon, speak out. When you raise your hand and are called onto a Clubhouse ‘stage’, you have complete freedom to engage in the debate as long as the discussion moderators keep you there.
Message People, You Want to Know More About
Send a private message with a customised note to speakers who seem intriguing to start the discussion. Because Clubhouse lacks its direct messaging function, you’ll need to seek the individual up on sites like Twitter or LinkedIn to contact them.
3. Use Social Media Platforms to Make Personal Connections
Use networks such as Twitter and LinkedIn to discover, connect with, and begin discussions with the kind of individuals you want to get to know professionally.
On Twitter, you can set up notifications to be informed anytime someone you’re interested in publishes an update, enabling you to respond quickly. For example, if you want to further your career in consumer product marketing, you might follow the chief marketing officers and other marketing executives of companies you like and react to postings they make on industry trends they’re observing right now.
4. Extend Your Reach Beyond Social Media
Identify a few prospective LinkedIn and Twitter connections to reach out to and take your relationship to the next level. Make a point of prioritising people who share your career objectives. Inquire if they would be interested in a phone call or a Zoom meeting. To keep your letter focused on their needs, say that you’d want to understand how they’re doing during these trying times and how you may be able to assist.
5. Arrange for Virtual Walks with Your Coworkers
Establish a weekly goal of connecting with various colleagues from your company away from the computer. You may accomplish this by proposing a virtual stroll, in which you talk on the phone while each of you goes on a separate walk wherever you are.
These outings will not only provide a refreshing opportunity for you and your colleagues to connect more meaningfully, but they will also assist to reduce multitasking and allow more time for discussion.
And the advantages extend beyond your present position: These types of connections with colleagues may be just as, if not more, important than those with individuals outside your organisation, and they may be the ones you maintain and nurture long after one or both of you has left the business.
6. Keep in mind that expanding your network takes time.
Networking is an activity that may be done for the rest of one’s life. The genuine relationships you make today may lead to a slew of fresh connections and possibilities later on.
People who are feeling overwhelmed take little effort, such as reaching out to a couple of contacts each week, saying you’re thinking of them, and asking how they’re doing.
Use this time to consider the community you want to create, how you can help others, and what you can offer. Consider who you may be able to contact in the future. That way, when the moment comes, you’ll be ready to act.
