Networking From Home

In today’s digital age, it has become more than convenient to network from the comfort of your own home. Whilst there is nothing quite like making a connection in person, virtual networking is very handy between physical networking events. We want to give some pointers on how to effectively start networking from your living room so that you can keep your networking game running hot 24/7.

Why network virtually?

Sometimes, it isn’t possible to get out and about, whether you’re ill, location problems, travel issues, there can be many reasons why you won’t be able to attend a physical event. Luckily, technology has made it simple to connect with people without much movement from ourselves. The recent pandemic saw an influx of virtual networking, with people unable to escape their homes and attend bustling social gatherings. We have probably already created networks online without even meaning to. People join and converse in online communities all the time just as a hobby, if you can change that hobby into an efficient networking process, you’re well on your way.

How do I start out?

LinkedIn profile

As you’ll be floating around in the online community, there is no better place to make an impression as an entrepreneur than on LinkedIn. Make sure your profile is updated and looks professional before attending any virtual networking events. The other attendees may well want to check you out after or during the event, don’t let them visit an empty profile!

Tweet

Twitter is an extremely effective networking tool just like LinkedIn. Build your network by following the relevant people in the industry you’re breaking into and keep your account updated with tweets and retweets.

Create an online portfolio

An online portfolio is a useful tool so people can get to know you without really speaking to you directly. It’s a great way to show off your work and ideas with minimal effort. Once it is set up, all you need to do is keep it regularly updated and it will more than likely create some connections.

Research

Research is the most important factor of almost any task. Without research, we can look ignorant. Before you dive in to making connections, make sure you are clued up on the topics at hand to prevent yourself making errors in conversation. Don’t just research topics, research people. You can bet if you connect with an expert, they will expect you to know who they are, make sure you have some notes on them to keep any awkwardness to a minimum.

Join the events

Once all this is done, you’re ready for the real work. Virtual masterclasses are a fantastic way to gain insight and knowledge. They often have a live chat feature where you can converse with the other attendees and talk to the experts one to one. It doesn’t have to be virtual masterclasses; any type of webinar, and we mean any type, just attend! The worst that can happen is that you make no leads, the best that can happen is you learn something new and get some connections along the way just by switching on your laptop!

Follow-up

Follow up with the leaders of any webinars or virtual masterclasses. This can be done right at the end of the online event or if the leader is too busy, they usually leave their personal email. Give it a day or two and drop them an email asking them any relevant questions. It’s good to show initiative like this and may even develop a life-long connection with the leader.

Face-to-face networking rules still apply

Just because you’re sitting in a cosy living room or office with a cup of tea in one hand and a bowl of unfinished breakfast off camera, don’t forget that similar rules apply in virtual networking as they do in face-to-face. Make sure you’re on time, dress to impress and look interested. People can often forget their manners when they’re in the comfort of their own home, so don’t fall victim to this easy mistake.

Final Thoughts

Virtual networking is a fantastic tool to take advantage of and will be a feature of the future of networking. It is incredibly easy to start online networking, however, there is a skill to mastering it. As long as you follow these base tips then you should be well on your way. Experience is key, like anything, virtual networking gets easier the more you do it and with more connections made.

As stated previously; virtual networking should not completely replace face-to-face networking, instead they should be used intermittently. The Networking Club hosts a Breakfast Club every last Wednesday of the month, giving opportunities to individuals to come and network in a welcoming environment with the addition of amazing keynote speakers. Attend events like this to make the best of networking whilst keeping your virtual networking game up to date.