There’s no shame in admitting that online networking can be daunting, especially if you’re new to this arena – but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be.
Often confused with selling, networking is actually all about building long term business relationships, a good reputation, and fresh ideas. It’s also a great way to advance your career, gain new perspectives and insights, and ideally helps to build your personal position within your designated industry or sector.
In what seems like light years ago, networking in a professional environment was often conducted through avenues like attending physical events, where you could meet people in a face to face environment. However, this has all but evaporated with the arrival of Covid-19 and it’s applicable social gathering restrictions. Without these styles of events, can we – and should we – still be trying to network professionally? The answer is, absolutely.
Methods Of Online Networking
Now that you know the benefits of networking – is there a way to shift to doing it online? Fewer physical interactions don’t necessarily mean less opportunities, and it’s actually a great way to get creative with how you choose to conquer online networking.
Schedule A Meeting Via Zoom – Is there someone that you had meant to take out for lunch or a coffee in a professional manner? The good news is that you can still very much do that, but this time it’s going to go virtual. When it comes to retaining a personalised touch, video conference apps like Zoom provide a way forward without sacrificing social distancing.
Join A Community – Facebook Groups are a wonderful way to connect with likeminded people, particularly within a certain industry or sector. Once you’ve found the right group that suits your profession, they can also provide a wealth of free information, as well as solutions to real life conundrums in the workplace.
Participate In Q&A Forums – When it comes to online networking, online forums can be a great way to publicly contribute, without coming across as intrusive or irritating. Depending on your industry, there are many sector specific platforms, but the scope can range to anything and everything from Reddit to TripAdvisor.
Attend A Virtual Event – Still want to meet new people within your industry? Virtual events allow you to host – or attend – a global conference, trade show, product launch or recruitment fair, all from the comfort of your own home. Often advertised on social media or ticketing platforms like Eventbrite, all you need is a laptop and a decent internet connection.
Get Active On LinkedIn – It’s not called the professional’s social media network for nothing, right? LinkedIn is one of the best ways to master online networking, it predominantly focuses on career development, job searches, connecting with your industry peers, and enhancing your professional reputation.
What Do I Need To Start Online Networking?
Cold calling and attempting to connect with strangers can be hit and miss, so one of the most effective ways to master online networking is simply by starting a conversation. An easy way to do this, especially if you’re trying to build brand authority, is by posting or promoting engaging articles and content from the perspective of your business, industry or sector.
However, crafting and producing on brand and engaging content is generally something that many businesses simply don’t have the time, budget or resources to address, and run the risk of being overlooked for opportunities in favour of those that do understand the power of great content.
Thankfully, here at Content Hive – content marketing is what we specialise in, and it’s what we do best. We offer a range of different services available from our online menu, with packages that can suit the needs of any brand or business.
If you’re looking to take the first step in getting digital marketing done for you, get in touch today to schedule a free discovery call with us today to discuss how we can get your brand buzzing online.
