Written by: Carolina Salinas, public relations and corporate communications graduate
Before the pandemic, students and recent graduates would often conduct meetings with working professionals in face-to-face settings with the hopes of expanding their network.
However, given recent physical distancing guidelines, these informational interviews have shifted toward interacting remotely and gaining virtual connections in creative formats. Despite conversations taking place online, these new forms of communication have opened up countless opportunities by bringing individuals closer together from anywhere across the world regardless of physical distance.
Below, I share three best practices for networking during the COVID-19 pandemic through technology.
Leverage social media
The integration of social media within our lives has revolutionized how we connect with each other. Today, virtual networking can foster strong ties even more quickly at times than in-person interactions. Social media platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram are useful tools for building your network with professionals and companies of interest.
When approaching new individuals, it is crucial to practice proper online etiquette and respond in a timely and courteous manner within working hours. For example, while sending an invitation to connect with a new individual, it is important to keep your first message concise and to be mindful of the tone of your delivery.
Once established as part of their network, you can continue the conversation via LinkedIn’s chat function, which can eventually lead to a phone call or virtual meeting through an online communication platform, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Cisco Webex.
Embrace online platforms
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many companies have stayed connected remotely using popular online platforms such as Zoom. During recent months, we have witnessed a growing number of these virtual communication tools entering the market.
and being adopted across a large number of organizations. Platforms including Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex and Zoom have allowed companies to stay connected with their employees, clients and stakeholders using state-of-the-art technology.
For this reason, it has become increasingly common for individuals to utilize these systems to their benefit and to ask people of interest to hold 30-minute online meetings across these platforms to gain digital facetime.
Attend virtual events
While online events have been around for a long-time, we are beginning to see a rising number of webinars, chat rooms and online conferences. During these gatherings, individuals can reach out and quickly get in touch with speakers, moderators and event panel representatives, or even after these events have concluded. By offering feedback or asking additional questions, participants can engage with organizers who are experts within the field in targeted and meaningful ways.
By actively getting involved during online events, such as by asking thought-provoking questions during Q&A time, participants can increase their visibility to panelists and encourage them to reflect on their subject-matter expertise while answering. This provides a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to stand out from a larger audience and opens up possibilities to continue the conversation. Specific questions that individuals often ask can range from more open-ended ones, opening the floor for storytelling and experience-sharing, to value-driven conversations, seeking a thoughtful perspective on a particular topic of interest.
From all this, it is evident the COVID-19 pandemic has provided countless opportunities to pivot our current model and approach to networking. The year 2020 has spotlighted technology within our personal and professional lives as a tool to create and maintain our presence through an online format.
At CPRS Toronto, we are proud to serve our growing community of public relations practitioners at all different stages throughout their career within their ongoing growth and development. If you’re interested in building your network and connecting with a wide range of diverse and multi-versed professionals across the field, consider attending one of our upcoming virtual events or reaching out directly to a member of our Board of Directors. We’re here to support your needs in whatever ways we can and are always open to your feedback and suggestions.