How to network online

Networking tips for an increasingly online world

by Marielle Reussink

Networking in 2020: How to Make Contacts on the Internet+by+The+EMMS+Marielle+Reussink

Love it or hate it, networking can spark invaluable opportunities for your business or career. So what happens when all the conferences, workshops, association meetups and professional events disappear?

If you don’t want to miss out on the magic of those “chance encounters,” start by recognizing that it doesn’t have to all be left to chance. In our increasingly online world, networking requires a more active approach, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be hard. In fact, for those who dread going out and making small talk in crowds, it might even make networking easier!

Here are a few things you can do to expand your network and make meaningful connections - even if you can’t go out and meet people face-to-face:

1. Get Active in Online Communities in Your Niche

There are thousands of groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you’re not already a member of at least one, go out and find a group that’s targeted at your industry or area of interest.

Once you’re a member, don’t just be a fly on the wall! Contribute actively by commenting on other posts on a regular basis, and starting your own conversation threads when you have a question, resource or thought on a topic relevant to the group. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with the group rules to avoid committing any faux pas - like promoting your own business when it’s not appropriate to do so.

As you engage with groups, look out for interesting people whose ideas or challenges align with yours, and invite them to take the conversation out of the comments section by starting an email thread or setting up a Zoom call. You never know what could come of it!

2. Find Opportunities to Host or Collaborate On Online Conversations

This is an ideal time to expand your horizons and open yourself up to platforms you may never have used before.

Many conferences and publishers that rely on physical events are now looking for speakers and hosts to partner with on online events. If you’ve never engaged in speaking opportunities before, take this as an opportunity to fill a gap left behind by high-demand speakers who don’t want to participate in online conferences. Not comfortable in front of a camera? Look for opportunities to be a guest on a podcast or blog instead.

Of course, if you have an online audience of your own already, you could just speak directly to them. If you’re on social media, use features like Instagram Live to host a virtual workshop, conversation or lesson. If you have an email list, invite people to join you for a Zoom chat on a topic of interest.

Just remember, the goal of networking is to build relationships, which is a two-way street. At the end, tell people how they can get in touch with you afterward to continue the conversation one-on-one - and really encourage them to do so.

3. Ask People You Already Know For an Introduction

No matter what type of business you’re in or where you’re at in your career, you can and should leverage your existing network to make new contacts.

Do your research on LinkedIn and look for mutual connections with people you’d like to meet. Don’t be shy about asking for an intro! Many people will gladly take the time to make an email introduction if you simply ask nicely.

You can also ask business associations you’re a part of, or people you know, if they have any contacts that they think you should meet. When I meet someone new, I often find that it’s easy to think of someone in my network that they could find something in common with, and I’m always happy to make connections.

4. Invite Someone You Want to Meet to a Virtual Coffee

If you want to have a real conversation with someone but the idea of setting up a video call with a person you’ve never met before seems awkward to you, try setting the tone for the meeting by inviting them to join you for a virtual coffee. This is a nice way to signal that the meeting is casual and open-ended, rather than overly formal or interview-like.

Think about your appearance as if you were going to a real coffee meeting though. Consider what you’re wearing (probably not a business suit, but not PJ’s either) and where in your home you’re sitting (not in your bed or between piles of laundry). You want to make a good first impression - just like you would if you were actually out in public at a coffee shop.

Final Thought: Know What You Want

Make your networking goal oriented! Putting yourself out there can be hard, so make it worthwhile by making it clear what you want.

If you simply want to meet new people and explore the possibilities, that’s great! If you’re looking for partners to collaborate with on a specific project, let them know what you have in mind. Challenge yourself to be really specific about what you want to get out of a meeting, and how people should connect with you.

Go on! You’ve got nothing to lose! Happy networking!