Why Networking Has Never Been More Important
Networking: for some, it’s lifeblood, and for others, a necessary evil. Introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts approach networking differently (and with varying levels of enjoyment), and with the world currently in lockdown, it’s a new frontier for how we stay connected.
But how can networking happen right now—and is it even important?
Consider the numbers: with Coronavirus continuing to ravage communities and current unemployment rates rivaling those during the Great Depression, things aren’t exactly wine and roses in the world right now.
Connections are what will save us: humans connecting with information and with each other, albeit virtually, is what will get us through this time.
Networking with other professionals is crucial to your career regardless of what industry you’re in. Exchanging information and forging relationships with others is how business is done, so wouldn’t it stand to reason that networking is even more important in a down economy?
How can we network effectively in a virtual world where a strong handshake is an impossibility?
Become a video call pro. If you’re not already familiar with online video platforms, get into it. I’ve used Zoom for the last couple of years, and it’s what makes my business possible. I can get a face-to-face connection with my clients, record sessions, and now I’ve become the go-to connector with my family and friends because I have a Zoom Pro account. Learn the ins and outs, choose a virtual background, use the breakout rooms feature, and host a virtual happy hour: become a virtual connector to grow and nurture your network.
Up your LinkedIn game. It’s no secret that I love the professional social network; heck, my first service offering is all about LinkedIn. Now that life is 100% virtual, your online professional brand is crucial, especially if you’re job-hunting. Set aside time to review your LinkedIn profile: is it visually appealing? Is the information current and accurate? Do you have media included and all available fields completed? (And if you want personalized help with your LinkedIn presence, please reach out.)
Become a content creator. No, content creation isn’t just for TikTok stars and Instagram influencers. This blog is content: my owned media for Liz Feezor Creative. Even if you’re not self-employed or a business owner, creating some form of content and sharing with your connections is how to grow and nurture a professional network. If you’re new to content creation, start small: share a link to an article you enjoyed along with a sentence or two about it, including relevant hashtags. With spikes in internet usage during quarantine, everyone is online, so now is a good time to get into expanding your personal brand via content creation.
Reach out to someone you want to meet IRL. With everyone online, a well-timed, thoughtfully-worded email to someone you’d love to meet in person can do wonders for your network—and for your personal brand. Be sure to make your message personal, pointed, and useful: never have an ask without something to offer, and never send out a “personal” email that’s actually a blast to the masses. Email blasts are good for some things (do you subscribe to my monthly newsletter yet?) but a “personal” message that’s anything but is obvious, disingenuous, and bad for your personal brand.
The seeds you plant virtually now can lead to a fruitful relationship offline. Once lockdowns and quarantine is over, people are going to be itching for in-person face time, so keeping those relationships warm using virtual methods is a surefire way to stay top of mind.
Networking has never been more important because connections are what get us from one place to the next. The people we know (and by extension, the people they know) are who see what we’re doing, know us and what our goals are, and, ultimately, are the key to our success. Work doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and without a solid network, we get nowhere.
Are we connected on LinkedIn? Send me a connection request and let’s network!
(The image for this post is a snapshot from Atomic Habits by James Clear, a book I’d heard a lot about and finally got to read. I highly recommend this one for everyone, especially if you’re struggling to create new habits (or break destructive ones) during this time. Networking is a habit: check out James Clear’s free resources for building and keeping good habits to keep you going in the right direction!)