Remember to act with sensitivity to the difficulties most people are having, and your approach will probably be welcomed. The real goal of networking is to make a connection. The benefits come later.

Here are a few tips you can do today to network virtually during COVID-19:

1. 1. Review and update your online identity. The first step is to consider how people perceive you. It’s important to keep your online profile up to date. What do your LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms say about you?
   2. Make it personal. When reaching out, don’t be afraid to mention the pandemic and the effect it may be having. Ask people how they are doing, how it is affecting them, and what challenges they are facing. Ask, ‘How has the crisis been affecting you? Express kindness, sincerity, and authenticity.
   3. Get comfortable with the technology. It doesn’t matter what platform you use—Zoom, Google Meeting, or Facebook Rooms—Just show up. People are more patient about technology now as so many of us are working remotely.
   4. Realize that you have something to offer. Recognize that you have value and there are many people that need your help. It is all about helping others. Be confident and share your knowledge and skills.
   5. Contact people, you haven’t heard from in a while. Contacting a few people, you haven’t spoken to in a while and asking them how they are doing is a friendly gesture that they will remember and keeps you in touch.

As difficult as these times are for businesses, it’s more important than ever to stay actively engaged with your clients, prospects, and community. Fortunately, virtual networking provides us with tools to maintain current connections, and even make new ones that could continue to show benefits once COVID-19 lockdowns past.

In today’s digital world, the hot topics in the small business marketing industry tend to be things like SEO, responsive web design, pay-per-click advertising and, of course, whatever the latest social media trend happens to be that week. These areas are constantly changing and evolving, and they happen to be dominating the marketing conversation right now. Without a doubt, all of these things have an important role to play in successfully marketing a small business. However, there’s one marketing tactic that has survived the test of time and continues to provide good results for those small business owners who have truly mastered it. That tactic is good, old-fashioned networking.

Networking —especially at the local level— remains one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies available to small businesses.

As an entrepreneur, the benefits of networking are essential to both your personal growth and business development. Building a successful business takes a lot of time and drive, so it’s helpful to have a strong network of friends and colleagues to keep you going. Surrounding yourself with people who share your drive and ambition will help everyone in the group move forward. However, that’s only one of the benefits networking will bring you. Here are five other benefits of networking you and your small business can enjoy.

1. Shared Knowledge

Networking is great for sharing ideas and knowledge. Through networking, you can ask for feedback or discuss your point of view with other professionals. All these conversations will help you expand your own knowledge, allowing you to see things from another perspective.

Within these groups, it’s highly likely that you will find a person who has been where you are today. This provides you with a great learning opportunity on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls they experienced.

2. Opportunities

Networking will naturally result in opportunities. The thing is you don’t know when or how they will be of use to you. Your opportunity could come in the form of a referral, partnership offer or request for your service or product, so it is important to be ready to seize opportunities when they come along.

3. Connections

It’s important to remember you are not only connecting with the people in the room, but with their network too. If they know someone who has a need your business could match, and if you have made a good impression, you will likely get a referral. Networking is not a one-way street. If someone in your network could use a business you encounter at an event, share their details! This is guaranteed to strengthen your relationship.

4. Increased confidence

To increase your confidence, you should be regularly networking and pushing yourself to talk to people you don’t know. This is an important attribute for a business owner to have, as the growth of your business relies on talking to people and making connections.

5. Raising your profile

Another big benefit of networking is becoming more visible and getting noticed. The more regularly you attend business and social events, the more people will recognize you. This can help you build a reputation as a knowledgeable, reliable and supportive person by offering useful information or tips to people who could use it. In addition, you are more likely to get more referrals as you will be the one that pops into their head.

Learning how to network doesn’t improve just your career — it improves your personal life too. Talented networkers have both amazing careers and genuine friendships. In this article, you are going to get easy networking tips you can try to improve your skills. If you really want to grow, we challenge you to practice one of these tips per day.

Picture this: You’ve just walked into a room crowded full of strangers. Your goal is to connect with new people, make friends and grow your network.

Networking events can be awful, intimidating and difficult! But they don’t have to be.

1. What To Write On Your Name Tag At A Networking Event

One of the first things you do at a networking event is to fill out a nametag. If you usually don’t think about this much, that’s about to change! Tip: Always look at other people’s name tags before doing yours. It might be that everyone has only written their first name.

Bonus Tip: When appropriate, add a conversation starter to your name-tag. Try writing an interesting phrase like: “Non-Spammy Sales Guy” or “Leadership Guru” or “Author.” This will definitely make you stand out among the sea of boring company names.

2. Create A Relationship Action Plan

In his book Never Eat Alone, author Keith Ferrazzi says that people fail to realize that building a strong network is just like any other goal; you have to sit down and plan it out.

• • Make two lists. The first one will be people you already know and whom you want to strengthen your relationship with. This includes colleagues and people you’ve met at events. The second list should be people you want to meet. For example, influential leaders at work, people involved in a community you’re interested in or influencers in your field.

  • Create an action plan. Take your lists and choose actions that will help you meet or strengthen your relationship with each person. Make sure you consider the best ways to connect with each individual. For example, if you’re meeting someone for the first time, focus on your first impression. Or, if you already know the person, get to know more about them by meeting up with them for coffee once a month.

  • Update your plan regularly as you build connections and develop new goals. The more direct you are in your efforts, the quicker you’ll foster relationships.

3. Where To Stand At A Networking Event

At networking events, People often plant themselves right at the doorway in an attempt to meet people. Rookie mistake.

When people walk into something like a networking event, they need a minute to breathe! When we are in a new place around new people our instincts kick in and we usually want two things: nourishment (typically a drink or food) and to survey the room. So, don’t plant yourself right at the entrance. Pouncing on someone right as they enter, will only lead to distracted conversation, while they’re thinking about getting food or trying to check out the room over your head.

Tip: The best place to stand is right where people exit the bar. This way, they have a drink in hand and are ready to mingle.

4. Use Standing In Line To Your Advantage

Meeting someone while standing in line is your golden opportunity. It’s the easiest way to meet the people who stand in front and behind you. The bonus is: If you really don’t like talking to them, it’s easy to excuse yourself by heading to the bar or buffet.

5. Use the Head Tilt

Making real connections at networking events is not impossible. It’s easier to make these connections happen when you use body language to your advantage, using the head tilt makes it clear that you’re listening and excited about what this person has to say.

6. Be a Business Card Master

Business cards can cause problems at networking events. Sometimes you’re left awkwardly searching for your business card when someone asks for it or, even worse, you lose someone’s business card and can’t follow up the next day. Avoid these issues with this tip: right pocket for my business cards and left pocket for other people’s business cards. You can do the same if you have a purse with pockets.

7. Help Yourself by Helping Your Network

“Can I help you?” This question is the gateway to building long-lasting connections. Helping someone makes you more likable, after all, you relieved some of their stress and added value to their life. Offering help is a great strategy to earn a positive reputation because you’re focusing on other people and not yourself.

How you help people doesn’t have to be hard, just offer your knowledge and/or your time. This is a small price to pay to gain a new relationship, especially with influential people, as they often need the most help.