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It is pandemic season and we are all supposed to be social distancing. A number of people are now working remotely and simple networking opportunities like conversations in the elevator as you ride to your office floor or drinks with colleagues and business partners after work have become few and far between. Due to remote working, networking may seem more challenging but as with everything in this season, it can also be virtual.
Here’s how to get started growing and maintaining your network as a professional while working remotely:
- Network on Social Media
Social media was set up for virtual networking and is an easy way to connect with people you may ordinarily not meet in person. To network on Social Media, you can join LinkedIn and Facebook Groups and connect with other professionals. Twitter is also a great place to network; follow thought leaders in your industry and have conversations with them. You can also join https://www.internations.org/ , an international networking community where you can meet professionals from different countries.
- Attend Virtual Events
During this pandemic, there have been many (and there are still many) virtual conferences, events, and trainings etc. Attending these virtual events may help you meet more people than you would have at an in-person event. Take advantage of everything these events offer. You can also reach out to speakers or other attendees after the event.
- Contribute to Industry Publications
Contributing to industry publications through articles , newsletters etc. will help you reach a wider audience – people you may not be able to reach on your own. It is also an effective way of building your brand. Soon enough, people will start reaching out to you and your network will inevitably expand.
- Build Relationships with your Current Colleagues and Business Partners
Take advantage of chat rooms and video meetings. Even though these are professional venues, you can still be social and establish relationships. Engage in small talk before a meeting starts or while you wait for others to join. Sometimes, turn on your video during meetings. Some people find it easier to build connections with people when they can see their facial expressions.
- Keep in Touch with Your Former Colleagues and Business Partners
Take some time every week to reach out to your former colleagues and business partners. It is not nice to reach out to people only when you need a favour. It can be pretty awkward too. So send an occasional email, share articles, news or job postings that you think will interest them or comment on their posts on social media platforms.
Most importantly, try to remain authentic as you network. One way to achieve this is by connecting and staying in touch with people you genuinely find interesting. This will make networking a pleasure not a chore.
If you have successfully leveraged any of these tips or other tips to expand your network ,please send me an email in the comments section. I will love to hear from you!
