Networking Tips for a Digital World

We’re becoming more and more dependent on technology. Our personal and professional lives are immersed in a digital world, and there aren’t any signs of technological advancement slowing.

When we talk specifically about our professional lives, our current world encourages digital networking opportunities and focuses on remote connections. Although successful networking requires a combination of online and offline networking efforts, networking in a digital world presents unique opportunities to land a job, build a business, or simply get connected within your field. Here are five networking tips for implementing in a digital world.

Establish a Digital Presence

It’ll be challenging to network in a digital world if you don’t have a digital presence yourself. To ensure you have the best chance at establishing the digital presence you hope for, build your personal brand first. Get to know who you are and what makes you different from others. Then, use your uniqueness as a foundation for your personal brand. 

Once your personal brand is intact, you can begin establishing yourself on various digital platforms. For instance, you can create a website that highlights your professional qualifications and portfolio. Include a blog on your website to showcase your industry expertise and passions. You could also develop an email list and share resources, digital products, and so forth with subscribers.  

Your digital presence should also include active social media pages to further your networking efforts.

Actively Engage in Social Media Networking

Because millions of people use at least one social media platform daily, there are endless networking opportunities on these platforms. You can connect with:

• Experts in your specific industry
• Up and coming influencers
• Companies that are hiring
• Other business owners
• Current and potential customers
• Potential investors and community partners  

The key is to engage on your chosen social media platforms actively. For instance, LinkedIn is a great social media platform for professional networking. You can connect with people locally in the Philippines or with other professionals globally.

First, ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Upload a professional profile picture for a solid first impression. Next, fill out each section in your profile thoroughly and use keywords relevant to your industry or business throughout. Then, post valuable content consistently and engage with others through comments, likes, shares, and direct messages. 

You’ll meet quite a few people you’d like to add to your professional network through one of your digital platforms, so it’s best to be prepared to share all about your qualifications, interests, and so forth.

Be Ready to Share Your Qualifications on Demand

The people you network with will ask about your professional background. Therefore, it’s best to ensure you’re ready to share your accomplishments, qualifications, and professional interests on demand. 

One way to do so is by having an updated resume on hand. Create a visually pleasing, professional resume that is appreciative of the technologically advanced time we’re in. Your resume should be designed much like an optimized web page. It should flow seamlessly from section to section. Take it a step further and create a polished portfolio that shows your best work throughout your career so far.

Another tip for networking in a digital world is to ready yourself for virtual meetings.

Ready Yourself for Remote Meetings

When you engage in networking in a digital world, you’ll likely meet someone remotely before meeting up with them face-to-face. So, it’s wise to polish your video call and/or remote interview etiquette.

Prepare for a video call or remote interview by brushing off your conversational skills. Ensure you’re prepared to ask and answer questions, whether you’re in an interview with a potential employer or an informal video call with a fellow business owner in your industry. Also, work on your body language and facial expressions. 

Then, ensure you’re equipment and space are ready to go. For example, your area should be prepared with an appropriate virtual background for video meetings. The backdrop is one of the first things the person on the other side of the remote meeting will notice. Ensure yours:

• Is clean and organized with lots of natural light
• Has a suitable colour scheme
• Fitting accents
• Has pleasant artwork
• Excludes reflective surfaces

Lastly, once you do establish new relationships, nurture them intentionally.

Nurture Your Relationships

It’s easy to fall into the trap of messaging as many people as possible to see who responds. However, your focus should be on creating quality relationships when networking. Furthermore, the relationships you initiate in networking should be ones you’re enthusiastic about nurturing long-term.

First, make plans for a brief in-person meeting to introduce yourself properly and follow through with it. Next, send an email or text after the meeting thanking them. Then, continue interacting with them on social media, via email, phone, and other appropriate communication channels. And finally, ensure you’re keeping up with in-person meetings, events, and video chats to maintain the connection.   

Ultimately, the strength of your network is highly dependent on your genuine effort to grow each relationship over time.

Conclusion

The above networking tips for a digital world are a part of a long list to explore implementing today. However you decide to build a solid network in the digital age, do it with consistency and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.