Networking Tips for the Virtual World

If you are like me, you really miss in-person networking events, seminars, vendor shows, and client meetings. My preferred approach to business has always been face-to-face networking.

In this age of COVID, however, virtual meetings, events, and webinars are the new norm. Even as things return to “normal” online tools of communication are likely to remain commonplace.

Given this new reality, how can you make the most of virtual meetings, webinars, and networking events?

Let’s start with some commonsense tips for any kind of virtual interaction:

• Dress professionally – after all, you are working and representing your company.
• Use a professional background or download a virtual background.
• Prepare a 30-second introduction.
• Remove background noise or keep yourself on mute.
• When interacting virtually, keep in mind that people are watching and waiting for your reaction.
• Be aware of your body language. Avoid looking bored, distracted, or uninterested. Smile and nod when in agreement, laugh even if you are muted.
• If you cannot devote your full attention to a meeting, reschedule. If attending a webinar and you are distracted or interrupted, turn off your camera and remember to mute yourself.

Avoid looking bored during virtual meetings – even if you are!

With virtual events, you need to rethink and adjust how you approach networking and developing professional relationships. Follow these practical tips for successful networking online:

• During a webinar, if there is time set aside for networking, ask the attendees questions to learn more about their business, customers, and needs. Most people enjoy talking about themselves, and this can help you to identify new prospects and potential power partners.
• As attendees enter a webinar or meeting, write down as many of their names as possible. After the program, look them up on LinkedIn and ask them to connect with you.
• Place a greeting to the attendees in the chatbox and state that you look forward to meeting them. Include your email address with your greeting.
• Get involved in a presentation by asking questions or making positive comments. Note, however, that this is not the time to dramatically challenge the speaker.
• At the end of the presentation, copy the information in the chat section to capture participants questions and their contact information.
• After the program, send the presenter a thank you note and ask them to keep you on their mailing list.

Rethink how you approach networking in our virtual world

Expert networkers know that following up is important. After virtual events or programs, you should always follow up. Here’s how:

• Ask the organizer for a list of the attendee’s names, companies, and emails. If that is confidential, ask instead for a personal introduction to one or two guests
• Research the attendees and select 5-10 people who fit into your ideal customer profile.
• Invite those who fit your customer profile to a brief virtual meeting to get to know each other. “It was great meeting you today. Can we set up a brief 15 minute virtual meeting? I would like to learn more about your company’s goals and target market as well as your challenges. How does ____ or ____ time look for you?”
• Send your prospects a link asking them to sign up for your mailing list and/or visit your website. Build a slow-drip campaign to stay in touch with these select companies.
• A power partner is someone who shares the same ideal customer like you but does not overlap services. When reaching out, ask potential power partners to describe their ideal customer.

Networking, whether virtual or in-person, is an ongoing process and requires consistency to pay off in increased leads and sales. To be effective networkers, you, or your sales team, may need a boost, training, coaching, or a clear strategy.

NWI Business Solutions has extensive expertise in sales and networking skills training, sales process analysis and development, and determining the proper tools needed to build an integrated sales and marketing operation for your organization. To learn more contact us.