In business, relationships are everything and even in this Covid-19 world, just because events aren’t happening like they used to, it does not mean you can’t network and build relationships.
Why network?
Networking has long been seen as a powerful way to grow a business.
Building relationships with other business owners helps get your own organisation in front of new audiences.
New partnerships and collaborations might form from opportunities that arise.
Business is a battlefield. Meeting up with fellow professionals experiencing the same challenges, and wins too, fosters affection and real friendships.
A bit of friendly banter often creates even stronger business relationships.
Ways to network effectively and digitally in the Covid-19 world
Before March 2020, most of us developed our networking strategies by interacting face to face at events where business and friendships could be struck over coffee and pastries.
Since then, webinars and online meeting platforms have filled the gap, although many do complain of experiencing “Zoom fatigue”. That said there has never been a greater willingness from businesses and event organisers to share knowledge and insights online. It’s a learner’s paradise.
But before you sign up for an online event:
Do your research:
Use platforms like LinkedIn to make sure you’ve researched the people attending and know something about them. Use the Q&A function on the online event to make positive comments about a blog they’ve written or something they’ve said or done as a good way to strike up a rapport.
Network with purpose:
Make sure that the event or webinar you are attending virtually is worthy of your time and crucially your business’s time. If you are participating, state clearly what your agenda is and what you want to achieve from the meeting. Be inclusive and allow everyone on the call to tell their story.
Follow up:
Establishing initial contact with people on a networking call is great, but following up for a more intimate one-to-one call afterwards is where the real power lies.
Habits of highly effective networkers when reaching out
Often events may not be the context or the opportunity for networking and you may need to reach out to potential customers, employees or allies by email or through LinkedIn or Twitter.
Rules to live by:
- Be polite. Manners matter. Always start your interactions with a polite introduction.
- Explain why you’ve reached out and see if you have mutual connections in the same industry or company./li>
- Be sincere and offer a genuine compliment. Have a context for reaching out such as an article you read by the person, or make an observation on something they said during a webinar or conference call.
- Make your points short, simple and snappy.
- Be non-intrusive. Think about using phrases like “I’d be so grateful for your time to discuss XYZ’ or ‘I’d love to chat to you more about XYZ if you’d be willing?’ And when signing off, be polite, leave your contact details and be warm: ‘I hope we can connect and chat about XYZ soon.’
Managing your social network:
Forums like Twitter and LinkedIn offer an invaluable way to stamp your presence on the world but to also to be seen as benevolent, knowledgeable and approachable.
Rules to live by on social media:
- The first rule of social networking? Be sound. Be seen as a positive influence on the world, sharing the right information and introducing people to one another. People remember if a business introduction you made led to opportunities.
- Pay it forward. Share information like articles that might be useful to your contacts in your industry or a cause that might resonate with them. Do it for them, not for you. You could do this openly on the public forum or directly via a private, personalised message.
- Fair dues. Be generous in your praise of others and give due credit. This has a boomerang effect in that it opens up the opportunity for you to tell them how you’re doing too.
- Stay in touch. Check in with your contacts. Look at your network occasionally to see who you value but haven’t heard from in a while. Re-introduce yourself or share an article, blog or podcast as a gesture of good will. Keep that network alive. It’s one thing to grow a substantial base of followers, but it is good manners to engage with that network.
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