The Covid-19 era has inspired millions of Americans to start their own businesses. In September of 2021 alone, 1.4 million applications were filed to form a new business, a record.
However, many of those businesses are running into the same problem: it’s extremely difficult to network during the pandemic.
But network you must. Successful networking helps you land business deals, improves your offering, and adds real value to your business.
So, here are a few ways to network successfully in the Covid-19 era.
Virtual First Impressions
We’ve all worked for managers and owners who are completely baffled by tech. In previous years, you may have been able to shrug this off and conclude they have other strong points. However, in the Covid-19 era, being tech-savvy is a vital part of all business operations, and failing to keep up can hamper your ability to make meaningful connections.
To ensure you make a positive first impression, you need to double-check that you know how to operate every element of the video platform you’re using (Zoom, Skype, Teams). It is also important that you consider your entire appearance, and recognize that your lighting and background will affect the way you look on screen.
The best recipe for consistent virtual success is simple: groom yourself just as you would for in-person business meetings, and choose a spot in your house/office that is front-lit. This will ensure that you won’t become a “shadow” on screen and will help you put forward a considered professional appearance. Beyond that, you can experiment with your background by hanging some art or arranging a display of houseplants.
Replacing Conferences
We all miss conferences — they’re a great place to network, allow you to share great ideas, and give you a good reason to visit somewhere new. Some industries are starting to re-open conferences, but others are holding off due to variants of Covid-19.
As a new start-up or a manager in a growing business, you will still need to attend virtual conferences. These allow you to get your name out in the industry, and could still result in some meaningful connections being made.
However, it’s no surprise that virtual conferences are not as networking-friendly as in-person conferences. Simply put, you’re not going to bump into anyone new when you get up to grab a coffee or a snack, and operating the “chat” features can be tricky at best.
So, what can you do to replace the networking-dense conferences?
Education
Some people loathe the idea of going back to school. But, it should be noted that your experience in high school algebra will be entirely different from the experience you will have if you chose to pursue higher education as an adult and business owner/manager.
A Masters of Business Administration is the best offering available to professionals who are looking to upskill and make business connections. An MBA will help you with corporate decision-making and will teach you how to inspire others within a business environment.
This professional development is great, but you can also expect to grow your professional network during your MBA. That’s because other students are often in the same position as you: they’re businesses owners, managers, or professionals who are looking to better their business or climb the corporate ladder. You’ll also get to connect with alumni and instructors who may be valuable to you and your business.
Social Media
You may have noticed that everyone is spending more time on social media due to the pandemic. Since the pandemic, 29% of users spent an additional 1-2 hours on social media, and businesses have been quick to respond to this increase in viewership by investing heavily into social media campaigns.
But social media can be more than a marketing tool. You can authentically connect with business professionals and folks who work in your industry via social media, and should consider leveraging your accounts to make “first contact”.
If you don’t relish the idea of posting personal pictures to Instagram or networking via Twitter, you can always spend some time growing your LinkedIn account. This feels a little more authentic and will help you reconnect with old acquaintances, and find new opportunities.
Conclusion
Networking is hard at the best of times. But revising your social media strategy or returning to education can make it easier to make meaningful connections. Of course, you can still attend virtual events and should take steps to ensure your on-screen presence is a positive one. As your network grows, so will your access to opportunities and expert insights — who knows, you may even find yourself hosting networking events.
