11 Essential Online Networking Tips For 2022
Despite the digital age, there are still many job openings that are not advertised publicly. Rather, they are filled through referrals and professional networking. A vital aspect of preparing for your professional future is networking, which begins even before your job search and can last throughout your career.
The benefits of networking are numerous. In fact, an industry survey by LinkedIn found that 80 percent of working professionals consider networking to be critical to their careers. In this article, we will share some essential online networking tips to remember in 2022.
Online Networking Basics
Networking involves forming relationships with other people who share a common interest, such as a profession or industry, and exchanging information with them. The majority of networking takes place in social settings such as community groups or networking events. The purpose of networking is to expand your professional network and learn about job opportunities in your field.
Networking online involves connecting with people on a social and professional level. Forming relationships online heavily relies on digital tools, as opposed to traditional networking.
The Essential Online Networking Tips
1. Make Your Online Profile Stand Out
Prior to getting started, update your profiles on the social networking platforms you are using. List your relevant qualifications, experience, and accomplishments in your profile, and upload a professional profile photo. Whenever you are creating your profile, try to see it from a potential employer’s perspective. You don’t always need a long profile to be successful.
Make sure your information is concise and short. You may be surprised at how powerful a well-crafted profile can be.
Additionally, make sure you review your other social media channels. You might want to delete any controversial posts and check your privacy settings on social media, as potential employers and recruiters often check your social media profiles. Verify that you have not missed anything by searching your name online.
2. Ensure That Your Online Network Is Balanced
Networking is one of the best ways to gain new insights into your career. Build your network by adding people outside your industry as well. You probably work in an industry that overlaps with others. Find relevant people from these domains by thinking about what they could be. It is impossible to predict where a referral will come from.
3. Make Your Networking Messages More Personal
Impersonal messages are one of the biggest networking mistakes professionals make. If your message is generic, it’s more likely that the person you’re contacting will consider it spam and ignore it. Find out what you have in common with someone before adding them to your network. If you share a common educational interest or social cause, it does not have to be a professional experience. Start your message by explaining why you are contacting that person.
4. Take Part In Activities
Getting noticed requires more than joining a professional network. Engaging with posts and actively posting relevant content will help you stand out. Being active and taking part in multiple activities is a great way to demonstrate to your network that you are passionate about the field you are in.
5. Know Your Stuff
It is important to remember that quantity does not equal quality. Be sure that your posts are relevant and that your contributions have a purpose. People won’t pay attention to your activity in the network if they notice that you post content just for the sake of posting it.
6. Give a hand
It’s important to keep an eye out for good referrals when networking since it’s a reciprocal relationship. It may be possible for someone to return the favor in the future if you help them find a job.
7. Make Connections Early And Often
Networking is often overlooked by people until they are out of a job. Being involved with industry communities can seem unnecessary when you’re already employed or aren’t naturally chatty. It will be hard to build a network from scratch if you wait until you’re laid off to make connections.
It is much easier to get involved when you network online. You can connect with people by commenting on a LinkedIn post or joining an industry forum.
Maintaining an online presence and staying in touch with your peers is easy when you check your feed a few times each week. You can make use of your network when you need it by always networking, even if you are not actively seeking work.
Your online relationships can be fulfilling on their own, but they will come in handy when you need advice, a referral, or a new job. Even if your relationships are entirely online, building a strong network of friends and contacts is still the best way to advance your career.
8. Make The Right Connections
Rather than connecting with popular thought leaders, try to connect with peers in your industry when networking online. Keeping up with well-known influencers is good for staying current, but the people you should really get to know are those who might work with you.
Try to connect with the people who work at a particular company instead of the CEO if you have your eye on that company. Your career prospects will benefit from any connections you make inside desirable companies, and you are unlikely to find a direct line to the top.
Be sure to reach out to more people than you think will be of assistance to you. Making friends doesn’t have to be about making powerful friendships; it can simply be about getting to know people. Staying engaged and feeling like you belong in your profession can be enhanced by connecting with your peers online.
Your referral could help someone in your network get an interview, even if you aren’t looking for work yourself. Most people will not be quick to forget the favors you do for them, and the people you help out could be valuable connections in the future.
9. Donate Your Time To Others
Making lasting connections online can be achieved by being helpful. It can be challenging to make an impression online, but lending a hand to those in need is a good way to build a good reputation.
Sharing people’s work online is an easy way to help them out. You can use a blog post, a video, or even something as simple as a tweet. By promoting a webinar or blog that you think is interesting, you not only help those who created it, but also peers in your network. If you can start a conversation or introduce a new idea, you may help someone.
You can help someone’s career by passing along their portfolio or resume if they have posted them online. The more you help others grow their networks, the more you grow your own.
10. Make Your Communications Digital-Friendly
Online communication is inherently different from face-to-face communication. You should therefore take extra care when crafting messages for networking contacts. To begin with, proofreading should never be underestimated.
The presence of typos may be interpreted by some employers as an indication of a lack of interest in the position or a lack of attention to detail. You can make a big difference by double-checking your spelling and grammar before sending.
Furthermore, it’s important to communicate in a way that will be well received in a digital format. Therefore, you should keep your messages short. Messages that are too long can be a turn-off for some people. Keep it easy to read and understand.
The Best Platforms For Online Networking
Since the dawn of the digital age, countless platforms have arisen that give professionals the opportunity to build a network. Here are the best platforms you should use to network online.
1. LinkedIn
The original social media platform for professionals is the best place to start when it comes ot online networking. According to a Hootsuite report, half of all LinkedIn users make business decisions. When you connect with people effectively on the platform, you’re highly likely to have some influence in their company to advocate for you. You can make successful connections by building an active personal brand on LinkedIn.
2. Meetup
You can connect with local communities that represent your interests through Meetup, a networking platform centered around events.
In addition to being an online service, Meetup offers a unique value. It has a heterogeneous model that involves both online interaction and offline participation. It is possible to browse groups and pick and choose those that might be of interest to you. After joining a group, you can begin attending its events.
3. Instagram
Instagram is much more than just a photo-sharing app. With the right approach, it can be an invaluable online networking tool. Even though DMs are notorious for unsolicited comments, you can use them to network. You can start by following a brand’s page and seeing what they post. Take note of what you think could be improved on their page and send them a note. By adding value, not just complimenting them, you’re adding value and building your network.
4. Facebook
In addition to being one of the first social media platforms, Facebook offers a huge opportunity for sharing your ideas with the world. Facebook’s 2.7 billion monthly active users make it an ideal platform for networking online. By using Facebook Live, you can reach millions of potential connections. In real-time, you can cast your video live and receive comments from your audience.
5. Twitter
Sending out tweets and getting immediate engagement make Twitter an ideal platform for instant connections. You should make use of Twitter threads, one of the great features. Tweets can be connected to form a narrative by linking them together. The 280-character limit does not apply to Twitter tweets. For example, if you want to discuss a lengthy topic, simply break up your commentary.
6. Quora
Quora is a website for sharing knowledge that allows users to post questions and answer them. In addition to engaging (liking, commenting, sharing, etc.) with the post, people can share it via email or other social media platforms. It is also possible to search for general topics, such as “engineering” or “engineering in America,” in addition to specific questions. In order to see what others are talking about, it can be helpful to get more specific with topics like “electrical engineering” or “electrical engineering in California.”
As well as providing a great opportunity for you to be helpful, this is an excellent way to discover what your prospects and customers are thinking about.
