7 Tips for Networking in a Virtual World

COVID-19 has turned our world upside down. Traditional ways of working, communicating, collaborating and networking have changed dramatically. Here are seven tips to help you network in this new virtual world.

1. Embrace Technology.

There are many ways to stay connected while being physically apart. Stay in touch with friends, colleagues, clients, and others by way of telephone, email, text messages or video calls. Use the time you would have otherwise spent commuting to work to connect with people with whom you want to maintain a relationship. It is easy to become isolated when you spend most of your time at home. But with a little effort, you can continue nourishing your business and social relationships remotely. This will give you an edge over colleagues and coworkers who retreat into isolation.

2. Whenever You Can, Use Video!

When in-person meetings are not possible, try connecting through video. A video conference  provides an experience that is closer to face-to-face contact. It allows participants to see expressions and reactions that might otherwise be missed. Facial expressions and other gestures provide valuable context and frame the message that is being transmitted.   

3. Be Careful When You Video-Conference.

While Zoom, Teams, and other video conferencing tools are great ways to connect with colleagues and others in your industry, you should always be aware of what your camera is transmitting. Set up a test video conference where you dial in as a participant. This way you can see what others will see when they conference with you. Do they see a messy pile of papers in a corner of your home office? Are there open bags of chips in the background? Is there an unmade bed behind you? Make sure your work-from-home space is appropriate for conducting business.

You should likewise be careful with your appearance on video-conferences. If you are video conferencing with a potential client or a work colleague, it is best not to show up in pajamas. Technology has allowed our friends and colleagues to virtually “enter” our home, but we can still control what they see while “inside.”

4. Figure Out What You Can do for the People You Want in Your Network.

When you reach out to people to set a call or video conference, think of what you can do for them. One of the best ways to build connections and expand your network is by serving others. Whether  meeting someone in person or virtually, always make an effort to determine what they need and how you might offer them something that contributes to their careers, their businesses, etc. Can you introduce them to someone in their industry? Can you refer their services to someone who may hire them? Do you have resources, articles, or books that can help their career or business?  If so, offer to help first. If you serve others, they will be more likely to respond and cooperate when you need their assistance in the future.

5. Be on the Lookout for Networking Opportunities that Arise As Part of Your Ordinary Tasks.

While working remotely, you will surely be asked to participate in work or business related calls, video conferences or virtual events. Your employer might ask you to participate in a virtual client meeting, speak at an employer-sponsored webinar, or lead an online workshop. A professional group of which you are a member may hold a virtual member meeting. You may choose to enroll in an online professional development course or attend other industry events. Even when these activities take place virtually, all of them are opportunities to build your network.

When attending these virtual events, try to identify individuals on the call, meeting or webinar with whom you want to connect. Reach out to them shortly after the event. Use the common experiences or the event itself as a hook to initiate direct contact. If you both attended the same meeting or event, there is likely some commonality that will provide a basis for continued communications.

Be on the lookout for anything the person says during the event that can provide an opening for further contact. For example, if the person mentioned they love modern art, send them information on an exhibition that will be opening soon. If they expressed interest in a particular subject or issue, email them an article or link to a podcast on that topic. This can be the beginning of a string of communications that can serve as the foundation for an ongoing relationship.

Many events publish a directory of participants where you can obtain the contact information of the person you want to reach out to. If you both were invited to the same meeting, the invitation will likely contain their email address. If these are not available, the organizer of the meeting or event may be able to make an introduction.

6. Don’t Let New Connections Go Cold.

If you meet and connect with people with whom you want to stay in contact, make an effort to reach out to them regularly. Block time in your calendar on a regular basis to call or  send an email. Staying on top of their mind will make them more likely to respond in the future if you need their assistance.

7. Be Nimble and Explore New Things.

Networking is a lot different today than it was a year ago.  Be on the lookout for new ways to interact with colleagues and friends. New programs, apps and tools are constantly popping up that facilitate connecting with others. Explore them and see what works for you.

In the end, even though the way we interact professionally and socially changed in the blink of an eye, by being flexible and using the technology available to us, we can stay connected and develop strong networks.

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