Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

By Samantha Cortez

Networking is an important part of professional growth. No matter what industry you’re in, networking can be a valuable tool that propels business growth. Networking allows you to learn from others, spread the word about your business, meet potential clients and customers, and build thought leadership in your industry. Connecting with others also provides you with direct business opportunities that you might not find elsewhere.

Think about it. What’s more likely to be an effective strategy; sending a cold email or following up with someone you networked with? Whether you’re an entrepreneur running a startup or a small business owner managing a franchise, there’s no doubt that networking can help you advance your agenda.

However, in today’s health climate and business landscape, networking isn’t as easy or intuitive as it used to be. Across the country, group sizes are capped according to state and business closures make meetings difficult. However, there are plenty of ways you can adjust and maximize your online networking potential. Here are a few tips on how to network in a remote working world:

Join LinkedIn groups

Many individuals view LinkedIn as a platform for finding a job, however, there’s plenty more to leverage. Your LinkedIn account offers ample opportunities to connect with other professionals. LinkedIn Groups allow professionals to connect to other professionals in the same industry, or to connect with people who have similar interests. These virtual meeting forums are both public and private.

Fortunately, LinkedIn makes it easy to search for and join the most relevant groups. Simply type keywords into the search feature and sort through your results. You’ll be able to see who in your network belongs to certain groups and you can reach out to them to see what they think of the group they’re in.

Once you’ve found a group you’d like to join, take your time to familiarize yourself with the content. Sift through discussions and questions to gauge the tone of the group and learn more about its members. After you’ve become familiar, you can start posting relevant content and topic discussions that are most likely to resonate with other members.

Get a membership at a coworking space

Coworking spaces are havens for remote workers. Because of this, they create a natural pool of great networking opportunities. Search for spacious coworking in your area to ensure you can properly social distance at your desk. There are many benefits of coworking, but the ability to speak to other remote workers in every industry certainly tops the list.

Furthermore, coworking spaces understand the pain points of their members and work diligently to curate the best experiences for them. Many coworking spaces host their own panels and networking events to help bring people together. Check out a few different options in your area and work out the pros and cons of each. You may want to reach out to them directly to learn more about how they prioritize helping their members connect.

Connect with your alma mater

Your alma mater is a great resource for potential connections. If you haven’t turned to your alma mater since you graduated college, now is a time to re-connect and explore those potential connections. Chances are your university offers plenty of ways to connect with your fellow alumni. Check your school’s website to see if there are any upcoming events. You can also reach out to alumni directors to learn more about future occasions. Alternatively, if there are alumni you haven’t spoken to in a while, check in on them. If there are no current online events coming up, consider starting your own.

Search for online networking events

Many conferences and events have been canceled due to COVID-19, but as the business world adjusts, organizers are shifting their efforts to focus on creating great online events. For instance, South by Southwest (SXSW) will be hosting their event 2021 conference online, offering event-goers a premium digital experience. Many other annual conferences are following suit.

Start by searching for relevant events in your industry. Recurring events are likely transitioning to remote conferences and you can still get involved. You should also search for local meetup groups on Facebook or Meetup.com. Similarly, local organizations continue to run their own events and meetings using video conferencing tools.

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Samantha Cortez is managing editor for Scalefluence.com, an influencer marketing SaaS & marketplace. She has written for some of the largest publications in America, including Business Insider & 20/20 Magazine. Sam loves to travel, often working remotely from Europe.