Tips for Surviving a Virtual Networking Event
So you’ve finally bit the bullet and registered for a virtual event. Or maybe you’ve been doing them on and off for the past year and a half but you feel like they’re just not working the way you’d like. Whether you’re testing the waters for the first time or feeling jaded about the struggles of remembering to take yourself off mute, we know online events can be tricky.
However, finding success in a virtual event does not have to be out of your reach. Everyone should be able to network effectively regardless of the medium, so we put together some quick tips to help you shine in the Zoom room!
Set a Clear Goal
Just as with an in person networking event, the number one priority you should have when preparing for a virtual networking event is to set a clear goal. Are you looking for a new position? Are you looking to make more connections in your field? It’s important to know ahead of time.
Virtual events can already be a bit overwhelming, you’ll be able to ground yourself going into the game if you have something to center yourself. This can also be a great indicator for what particular events you should attend if you’re signed up for a big conference. Or it can be a conversation starter with other attendees.
Leverage Social Media
In the modern digital and pandemic age, social media has become a primary way to connect with others and stay in touch. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have become instrumental in keeping others up to date about recent accomplishments, transitions, and projects
Your social media can also be a way to brag about yourself without feeling too self conscious about it. After all, everyone expects to see people living their best lives on the timeline. Take advantage of this by displaying your social media handles/links and exchanging that information with contacts you make at the event.
Something displayed in your profile currently or in the future could be the reason that someone reaches out to you for an opportunity. Conversely, you might realize that one of your new contacts is the perfect person to reach out to with questions about a particular topic, or an opportunity that you’re sitting on!
Engage in the Chat
It can be nerve-wracking enough to speak up in a room full of people, let alone sending your words into a chat room full of people you may or may not even be able to see. But commenting can be a great way to spark future conversations and establish yourself as an approachable attendee.
Take the opportunity to break the ice by responding to the greeting that the host offers at the beginning of the event. Whether it’s a simple hello, or the city/state you’re tuning in from, this can be an easy way to get used to chatting.
Throughout the event, challenge yourself to write words of encouragement or ask questions you may have. There will likely be others who are active in the chat as well and these are the people you know won’t be shy about striking up more one-on-one conversations with you outside of the event!
Being active in your chat space can also help to recreate some of the community that exists in an in-person event. Not to mention, making breakout rooms a little less awkward. If you’ve already been engaging with others from the start, it will be a lot easier to jump into it in your small group of two to five.
Broadcast Your Attendance Before and After
One of the best things you can do even before showing up at the event is to begin sharing plans to attend once you’ve registered. This can help connect you to those who also have plans to attend or share an interest in the subject matter of the event.
You can make an announcement about your attendance on:
A blog or website, if you have one
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Or even Instagram if you’re active
After the event, you can make a post sharing your biggest takeaway from the experience as well as your excitement about putting it to use. Bonus points for tagging the speaker(s) and any new contacts you made at the event. This is a great way to establish your intent to keep in contact even though the event is done.
Though the medium is different, the core of virtual networking events remains the same as in-person events. Sometimes, prepping yourself can be more about reminding yourself that the two aren’t too different after all. Once you get past the possible Wifi snafus and the potential of your cat making a special guest appearance, you’ll realize that the same you who was prepared to show up and out in 2019 if ready to do the same on a screen in 2021!