2022 is shaping up to be the year of the Metaverse! So far, we’ve seen virtual reality work meetings, virtual shopping experiences, and a wealth of other exciting developments.
However, while the Metaverse isn’t here just yet, we’re already getting onboarded thanks to Covid-19 as over the past two years have seen more and more of the world’s workforce move online. A kneejerk reaction might be to think that’s a negative for networking, but there are pros and cons to everything.
With everyone in the big online, it’s never been easier to reach so many people. Stick with us as we discuss some tips for networking in a virtual world.
Take advantage of ‘The Chat’
There’s a chat box during most virtual events where users can talk to everyone else. This is known as “the chat”. Make use of it during the event.
Everyone watching, plus the hosts, can see what’s going on in the chat. The chat is a great way to reach out, share ideas, and get noticed.
If you find some folks that you’re getting along well with, tap their names to see if you can add them as a contact to continue the conversation – at TNG, this is an excellent way to meet guests or people from the broader network. It’s also a good idea to post your LinkedIn URL and add others who post theirs.
Up your social media game
Social media is vast, so it’s a great idea to up your social media game to get the broadest reach possible. Join the big platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn (if you haven’t already), and maybe even TikTok.
Each platform differs in terms of how it works and its “culture”, but a couple of fundamentals apply across the board—scheduling, reciprocity, and curation.
Each platform has a different ebb and flow for when people are most active. Do a little research and post during the busiest times to maximise engagement.
This leads to the second point—don’t be stingy with your likes, retweets, and shares. If you interact with others generously, they’ll reciprocate, essentially boosting your signal to reach their followers and friends.
All of this informs curation. You want to cultivate an image on social media that’s authentic, relevant to your niche, and translates to the platform. You do this by interacting with others in your industry and building each other up.
Find Your Circle
Think of the chat as your intro to the virtual world and social media as the engine for your virtual networking.
This final tip is to take things beyond social media and find your circle. Once you’ve identified potentially solid contacts, go private.
Reach out to them through DMs (direct messages) and organise virtual meetings one-on-one or in small groups. Rapport is crucial, so only do this off a foundation of solid reciprocity.
With this, you can begin expanding your circle and building a solid core of friends and colleagues with which to navigate the virtual world.
The opportunities presented by the virtual world are limitless, so chart your course and begin your journey today.
