With COVID-19 restrictions in place, business people have pivoted to remote networking to make connections. While many of the same rules apply to in-person networking, here are a few things to keep in mind when focusing on remote business networking.

Building connections with your professional peers via online channels is just as important and valuable as any conference or live networking event you might attend. Plus, there are some major bonuses when you remove time and space from the equation.

Add value to your networks

There are many ways to add value when business networking online. Share your knowledge in a way that will benefit members of your network. You could post helpful content on social and professional networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn. You could also share articles individually when you think it’s relevant to one person. Creating your own content, such as an article, checklist, or other helpful tool, will bring value to your network members.

Follow up with the people you meet

When you meet people during online events or through social networks, it’s important to follow up. Simply touching base to say ‘hello’ and offering any assistance if needed will help you start the relationship on the right foot.

Create the right impression online

For video conferences and networking sessions, such as on Zoom and Microsoft Teams, remember that you are on camera. Keep your eyes on the camera when speaking. You might want to look at other participants, but this will make you appear distracted as your eyes move around the screen. Also, if there is any background noise and you are not speaking, turn off your microphone to avoid distracting others. Remember to turn your microphone back on when it’s your turn to speak.

In online networking sessions, you often get an opportunity to introduce yourself and tell people what you do. Spend some time to create a compelling and concise answer to ensure the people you’ve just met will want to hear more. These questions will help you develop your elevator pitch for online events:

• What is my service, product, company, or cause?
• What problem do I solve or what demand do I meet?
• How am I different?

Take Advantage of Social Media

For remote workers, social media is ideal since it’s designed for fostering remote connections. It’s an easy way to connect with people who you might not normally encounter in person. Not sure how to start engaging on social media? Try posting a link to a relevant, work-related article along with your commentary. Or, if you see someone post a question or ask for recommendations, chime in with a response.

Network strategically for the long term

Pursuing online networking only when you need to generate business will bring disappointing results. So, if you are beginning your remote networking efforts, keep in mind that it’s a long-term process. Having a long-term view will help you stay engaged and add value to your network, which will eventually pay dividends in the future.

At the end of the day, online networking is not altogether different from actual networking. In fact, if you’re less than comfortable with physical meet-and-greets, building your network online can be a real confidence booster.

The basics are the same: Surround yourself with people who inspire you and offer some value in return.