Have you been neglecting the online side of networking? Your digital presence is just as important as face-to-face connections, so make sure that you’re putting your best (virtual) foot forward. Here are 8 tips to boost your online networking efforts!
Separate the Personal and Professional
Before you do anything else, make sure that there’s a brick wall between your personal social media and your professional presence online. Don’t use your personal Facebook account as your main business platform, and ensure that your digital footprint is squeaky clean. Potential clients and connections will Google you!
Build a Great Profile
If you’re searching for networking on opportunities on LinkedIn, for example, you’ll need a complete profile before you begin. Choose a photograph that shows your face—no pets or artsy shots—and keep your information succinct, professional, and easy to scan.
Connect With Purpose
Before you reach out across the digital divide, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Why do you want to network with this particular person? What can you offer them, and what do you hope they can do for you?
Make sure that you know the answers to these questions prior to sending a request to connect. That way you can start the relationship off on the right foot.
Look for a Common Factor
If you simply blast everyone on Facebook or LinkedIn with connection requests, you’re almost certain to fail. Make sure that you have some common ground—belonging to the same organization or alma mater, for example. Even better, ask a shared professional (or personal) acquaintance for a virtual introduction.
Focus on Local Connections
Even though the internet can help you connect with people all over the globe, the most valuable connections are the ones in your region. After all, successful real estate networks are built on your home turf.
Use Digital as a Springboard
Forging online connections isn’t necessarily the end goal. Ideally, you’ll be able to meet local connections in real life, too. Invite the person to chat over coffee or join you at a professionally relevant event in town.
Follow Up After In-Person Networking
While it’s a good idea to bring digital connections into the real world, it’s equally important to follow up on in-person networking with a request to connect online. Collect information at networking events and follow up the next day with a friendly email and request to connect on LinkedIn or another social platform.
It’s especially great if you can offer the person something of value—a link to an article you mentioned during your initial chat, for example.
Be Active (But Not Pushy)
There’s a fine line between staying active on social media and sharing too much. If you constantly share articles and write “fluff” pieces on your blog, you risk overexposure. It’s a good idea to publish on a fairly regular schedule—a quick editorial calendar can help you stay on track and ensure that you always have something relevant and timely to share!
