How can you master the art of online networking?
In this article, we’ll dive into the collective wisdom of eleven networking experts to help you enhance your online connections.
- Personalize Your Online Engagements
- Prioritize Genuine Connections
- Customize for Deeper Connections
- Attract with Inbound Networking
- Volunteer at Networking Events
- Stand Out with Personalized Videos
- Conduct Precision Email Outreach
- Showcase Skills on LinkedIn
- Request LinkedIn Recommendations
- Embrace Cultural Networking Principles
- Strategize with the LAMP Method
Personalize Your Online Engagements
A key strategy that has proven effective for our team is to approach online networking with the same personal touch we’d use offline. It’s so important to remember that behind every LinkedIn profile or Twitter handle is a real person.
We make it a point to genuinely engage in conversations, provide value without expecting an immediate return, and personalize our messages rather than sending generic connection requests.
This human approach, coupled with consistent participation in relevant industry forums and groups, not only broadens our network but also fosters meaningful relationships that can lead to fruitful collaborations. Remember, the goal is to build a rapport that transcends the digital space, turning connections into potential partners, clients, or even friends.
Suzanne Harston, Business Development Manager, Newcrest Digital
Prioritize Genuine Connections
Online networking is a key aspect of growth in today’s digitally-driven world. It might seem challenging, but one strategy that has always proved effective for me is to prioritize creating genuine connections over collecting contacts. This might mean limiting the new contacts you make per networking event and instead focusing on having meaningful, in-depth conversations.
Remember to keep it professional—but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Another valuable tip is to keep up with these connections even when you don’t need them immediately. Regularly engage with their posts, ask them about their projects, congratulate them on their achievements, and add value to the relationship. This kind of ongoing engagement ensures you’ll be remembered outside of the standard networking event.
Rosario Maccarrone, Director & Head of Student Services, OPIT
Customize for Deeper Connections
One crucial tip for effective online networking is to personalize your interactions consistently. Whether you’re connecting on LinkedIn or participating in virtual events, taking the time to customize your messages or introductions can significantly enhance your networking efforts. By mentioning shared interests or recent achievements of the person you’re reaching out to, you demonstrate genuine interest and lay the groundwork for deeper connections.
This personalized approach not only sets you apart but also fosters meaningful collaborations. Investing in understanding your contacts’ backgrounds and interests has been key to building lasting professional relationships. It’s about nurturing genuine connections rather than just exchanging information, often leading to valuable networking opportunities and partnerships.
Jeffrey Pitrak, Marketing Account Manager, Transient Specialists
Attract with Inbound Networking
One key tip I can share is to approach online networking with an inbound strategy. This essentially means converting strangers into connections through the value you offer. Instead of the traditional ‘push’ tactics, focus on ‘pulling’ people towards you by providing them with valuable insights, relevant content, and engaging discussions.
For instance, I regularly contribute to LinkedIn groups in my industry and share blog posts with practical tips and well-researched information. This positions me as a thought leader and attracts professionals interested in the same topics, creating an organic network that’s built on common interests and mutual respect.
Remember, in this digital age, your online persona is your brand. Make sure to consistently portray a professional image that offers real value.
Gabriel Lukov, Head of Inbound Growth, Businessmap
Go Offline to Volunteer at Networking Events
My go-to networking tip is to not attend networking events, but to volunteer at them. This has three main benefits. First, people come to you (imagine you are in the coat check and registration). Second, it gives you a role to hide behind if you get socially overwhelmed. Lastly, it will help build your connection with the organizers, and that also builds your network.
Ivan Wanis Ruiz, Founder, Public Speaking Lab
Stand Out with Personalized Videos
Utilize personalized video messages when connecting with potential contacts. This uncommon method allows you to stand out in a sea of generic text-based messages.
By sending a short video introducing yourself and expressing your interest in connecting, you can make a memorable impression on the recipient. Personalized videos show that you are putting in extra effort and demonstrate authenticity, helping to build rapport and establish a stronger connection with your network.
Additionally, videos allow for facial expressions and tone of voice to convey emotion and enthusiasm, making your message more engaging and impactful. When running Museum Hack, we utilized this strategy when building relationships with journalists.
Instead of just sending a video of ourselves talking, we hired a songwriter to compose and record short, personalized jingles about the journalists, which made our videos stand out, be memorable, and elicited a higher-than-average response rate.
Michael Alexis, CEO, Teambuilding.com
Conduct Precision Email Outreach
Precision email outreach should be a core pillar of your networking doctrine. Simply spraying and praying with generic messaging is a surefire path to being tuned out as insipid noise.
Kick off your process by mapping out the key players, influencers, and stakeholders within each of your client’s ecosystems, then build out segmented personas and craft tailored campaigns aimed at dialogue around uniquely valuable insights.
For industry journalists in our world, we seed exclusive, data-driven storylines aligned with their editorial calendars. For subject matter experts, we initiate relationships by stimulating their intellectual curiosities with provocative thought-starters.
Each touchpoint should be a dare-to-deny proposition, personalized to that individual’s role and buying journey stage.
Only by delivering contextually relevant value upfront can you circumvent the attention bankruptcy tax.
Jason Smit, CEO, Contentellect
Showcase Skills on LinkedIn
Make LinkedIn your go-to platform. It’s a great platform to showcase your skills and build your personal brand. Share relevant industry posts, or even write your own content using LinkedIn’s Pulse feature. Creating your own content helps your ideas reach a wider audience, grow your network, and position you as an expert in your field.
Kimberley Tyler-Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth, Resume Worded
Request LinkedIn Recommendations
In the world of online networking, nothing speaks louder than the words of satisfied colleagues or clients. Requesting recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn can significantly enhance your professional credibility. Think of these as digital testimonials—personalized, authentic, and influential. They provide potential connections with an insight into your skills and work ethic from those who have firsthand experience working with you.
When asking for a recommendation, be specific about what you’d like them to highlight. This ensures the feedback is relevant and directly related to the strengths you wish to showcase. Also, don’t forget to return the favor; endorsing others not only strengthens your relationships but also encourages mutual support within your professional network. These endorsements can make your profile stand out, turning it into a trustworthy resource for future opportunities.
Jessica Bane, Director of Business Operations, GoPromotional
Embrace Cultural Networking Principles
Personal connections form the backbone of strong online networking, irrespective of geographical barriers. With Ling, we’ve catered to more than 60 different language communities, and I often utilize principles of the cultures associated with those languages when building relationships.
For instance, the Asian concept of Guanxi (relationships), emphasizes mutual benefits and long-term trust. This led me to develop mutually advantageous relationships by providing value from the outset, not just when needed.
Effective online networking isn’t simply about collecting contacts; it’s about building authentic, respectful relationships intertwined with cultural understanding.
Simon Bacher, CEO and Co-founder, Ling
Strategize with the LAMP Method
To preface, I work with job seekers on a daily basis across multiple channels: as a business owner, as a content creator in the career advice space (LI and X), and as the moderator of a community of over 1.2 million people on Reddit.
I’m a staunch advocate of networking, and in tough markets like the one we’re currently in (North America), it’s very important for job seekers to network if they want to get more traction and more opportunities to interview.
One of the most successful ways to do it is to follow the LAMP method, which helps people network strategically by creating a prioritized spreadsheet of potential employers. This spreadsheet considers factors like personal connections at the company, the job seeker’s level of interest, and available job postings.
By focusing on companies with existing connections and high interest levels, job seekers can target their networking efforts, increase their chances of finding hidden opportunities, and get referrals.
James Cooper, Cofounder and Resume Writer, Final Draft Resumes