Module 4: Networking for Career Advancement
4.3 Networking Online
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Note: The audio transcript is available in the footnotes.
Social media networking
While face-to-face networking is exceptional, social media serves as a valuable complement, especially when direct in-person connections aren’t feasible. When aiming to connect with influential individuals who lack mutual connections, engaging with their social media presence can be effective. By commenting insightfully on LinkedIn updates or retweeting their posts on X (formerly Twitter) occasionally, professionals are likely to notice, paving the way for a positive interaction.
Below are three considerations when networking on social media.
| Consideration #1: Initiate a connection |
Consideration #2: Keep the interaction going |
Consideration #3: Tailor your message delivery |
| Utilizing social media for follow-up after an in-person meeting further solidifies connections. Alongside traditional email correspondence, sending LinkedIn invitations or following them on active platforms extends the engagement, ensuring multiple touch points and reinforcing relationship building.
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Moving beyond immediate follow-up, maintaining long-term connections requires a strategic approach. Sharing news articles featuring the individual or congratulating them on achievements via social media keeps you on their radar. Similarly, engaging with their content, such as blogs or podcasts, demonstrates continued interest and reinforces your presence. | For individuals with a less prominent online presence, direct messaging on social platforms or sharing relevant links related to their interests or company achievements serves to maintain connection and familiarity.
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While social media cannot replace face-to-face networking, it significantly supports the process by ensuring continuous visibility and engagement. By strategically leveraging social media interactions, professionals can establish and maintain meaningful connections, ensuring their contacts remember them and their capabilities over time.
Creating content to expand your network
The table below outlines possible ways to expand your network through creating content.
| Content creation | Content creation, such as writing blogs or creating online videos, is a powerful yet under utilized networking strategy. While not immediately apparent, it can draw influential individuals to you. For example, writing an article about a notable figure can lead to unexpected direct connections. |
| Informational interviews | Request interviews with high-level professionals for podcasts or blogs, especially if they have a book or project to promote. While mutual contacts provide the best introduction, a direct email with sample interview links can also yield positive responses. |
| Tailored content creation | Consistent content creation focused on specific industries or themes enhances search engine visibility and attracts relevant audiences. By aligning content with the interests of potential clients or contacts, individuals can strategically attract and engage with their target audience. |
While content creation is often seen as a branding activity, its networking potential is frequently underestimated. When executed effectively, content creation serves as a powerful tool to meet influential individuals and draw them to you, contributing significantly to networking efforts.
Maintain your network connection by following up
While meeting new people is often seen as the exciting aspect of networking, the more valuable part lies in nurturing and deepening existing relationships. Effective follow-up strategies are essential for this, especially when reaching out to individuals with whom you have limited familiarity.
When following up with your network connection:
- Consider ways to add value
To maintain connections, it’s crucial to find ways to add value without appearing intrusive. Reflecting on key details from initial meetings you had, such as their hometown or interests, provides natural conversation starters for follow-ups. For example, congratulating them on personal or professional achievements or reaching out during significant events in their lives demonstrates genuine interest and care. - Plan the amount of appropriate communication
Determining the appropriate frequency of communication is vital. While you don’t want to overwhelm contacts with constant messages, you also don’t want to let too much time pass without contact. Developing a schedule for check-ins, such as monthly calls or emails, helps maintain regular contact without being intrusive. - Vary the communication channels
Utilizing various communication channels is also important. While email may be preferred by some, others may prefer social media interactions, phone calls, or even in-person meetings. Tailoring your follow-up approach to individual preferences enhances effectiveness and demonstrates attentiveness. - Use personal gestures
Incorporating personal gestures like handwritten cards or regular meal invitations can strengthen relationships and set you apart from others who neglect follow-up efforts. Regardless of the method, consistency in following up is key to making a lasting impression and deepening professional relationships.
Audio transcript for Module 4.3 Networking Online
So, there you are, ready to start networking. You’ve got a grand plan to conquer the professional world, armed with a LinkedIn profile that’s been collecting digital dust since your internship. Your idea of networking so far has been “liking” your cousin’s cute animal videos on social media.
But then, in a moment of sheer adulting brilliance, you decide it’s time to level up. Wearing clothing that you haven’t worn since convocation; you march into a networking event like you own the place. Spoiler alert: You don’t. You spot a group of seasoned professionals huddled together, chatting about stocks and bonds like they’re discussing the latest Netflix series.
Summoning all the courage you can muster; you waltz over ready for a firm handshake that you’ve practiced for weeks. It’s a little too firm, and you can see the pain in their eyes, but hey, you’re making an impression, right?
You try to drop some business jargon you Googled on the way there, but it comes out sounding like you’re reciting Shakespeare in Klingon. They exchange confused glances, but you soldier on, determined to make connections even if it means embarrassing yourself in the process.
By the end of the night, you’ve handed out more business cards than a blackjack dealer at a casino. You might not have a clue what just happened, but dammit, you’re a networking maestro now. Just remember, fake it till you make it. Cheers to adulting!
