How can you network effectively while working from home?

As someone who started my own recruitment business during COVID-19 lockdown 3 years ago and having been running it 100% remotely since then, never even meeting majority of clients in-person, here's what worked for me: -Publish quality content on LinkedIn that positions you as an expert in your field, and engage with your audience -Engage with content of other people, offer help & advice -Proactively grow your network, put a nice note along with a connection request to say why are you connecting -Give before you take -Mind people's time & be straight to the point

Um perfil vencedor, que contenha todas as suas informa??es básicas, de experiências e objetivos de carreira, é indispensável, mas eu gostaria de focar aqui nas suas conquistas. Poucas pessoas valorizam as próprias entregas, como bater metas ambiciosas, ajudar a empresa a conquistar prêmios coletivos e outras congratula??es pouco faladas. Conquistas chamam aten??o e aumentam o seu nível de relevancia dentro de um determinado assunto ou ramo de atua??o, dando maior sensa??o de autoridade.

Before you start updating your profile, take a minute to think about your goals and what you want to achieve through networking - having this in mind can help you tailor your profile for the right audience

Just because you work from home does not mean you have to network online. You can still attend local events in your area, meet up groups, and reach out to people for coffee meet-ups (where appropriate and possible), etc. One great platform in addition to LinkedIn is also LunchClub - where you can meet people that are there to network. Many people on LinkedIn are not necessarily open to networking but they just want to have a profile for the recruiters to find them or to present their personal brand, but not everyone is actively trying to network here. That's why I like platforms like LunchClub where people there are trying to network and more likely to positively respond and schedule a call.

The advice is spot on. A strong online presence is essential for effective remote networking. Updating your online profiles, including platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, to reflect your current situation, goals, and skills is crucial. These represne YOU, keeping it updated is so important and a necessity.

Most professional conferences have an official event hashtag. Research the conference schedule and post content relevant to the schedule. That way you can get noticed without attending the event!

Engage with industry-related content on social media platforms. Comment on posts, share your insights, and connect with professionals who share your interests. Attend virtual workshops and training sessions. These events often include breakout sessions or networking opportunities. Take advantage of these to connect with other participants. Engage in online forums related to your industry or areas of interest. Contribute to discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. Platforms like Reddit, Quora, or specialized industry forums are great places to connect.

When you join online communities and attend LinkedIn live events, you can message anyone participating without using an InMail credit. This is a great way to continue networking through these groups.

Use social networking sites to connect with peers, colleagues, and industry professionals. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions, sharing your expertise and insights. Participate in or host virtual meetups and networking events on platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. These informal gatherings can help you establish connections. Share your knowledge and insights by posting and commenting on relevant topics. Be clear about your intentions and the value you can bring to the conversation. Remember that effective networking is built on genuine relationships, so be authentic, respectful, and focused on building connections that benefit both parties.

I agree with the point that Working from home allows individuals to access a broader spectrum of online communities and groups that cater to their professional interests, challenges, and aspirations. This is a practical benefit that many remote workers can acknowledge. Yes, the availability of various resources such as forums, webinars, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and social media groups that can contribute to professional development is really helpful. The recommendation to seek out communities that are active, supportive, and aligned with personal goals is agreeable. Active and supportive groups can indeed provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.

In my experience it's important to reach out to contacts on a periodic basis. This could look like every 3 - 4 months send them a note of gratitude or check in to see how they are doing. It needs to come from a genuine place. With some of my more long-term contacts I ask them to connect via Zoom on a periodic basis to catch up. I lean into my relator strength to help with this. You can do this. All it takes is initiative and making it part of your routine.

Leveraging your existing contacts is a smart way to boost our network while working from home. Here's a simple approach: Stay in Touch: Start by sending a friendly message to check in on how they're doing. It's a great way to rekindle those valuable relationships. Show Interest: In your conversations, show a genuine interest in their current projects and achievements. Share Value: Keep the connection strong by sharing relevant articles, podcasts, or events you think might pique their interest. It's a way to give back and show appreciation for their support. By following these steps, you're not only expanding your network but also nurturing valuable relationships. Networking from home can be just as effective as in-person networking!

My favorite advice to my career coaching clients is to download their Connections from LinkedIn into a spreadsheet and really take a look at who is there, and whom they've forgotten all about! Then, identify just 5% of their network, 1 in 20 people, that they might reconnect with, people who may help open doors or introduce them. Keep that list fresh and handy! When you're done with that 5%, go back for more!

Another important thing is verifying people profile before accepting or inviting to connect. If there are two or more accounts it could be a case of false identity . Remember: "What we see is always not true"

Find people online that are in your profession or industry. Look through their network for potential new connections. Comment on their posts by adding your own insights.

Something that can hold people back from making new connections is the fear that they're bothering the other person or that the other person is "too important or busy" to connect with them. First off, you'll never know until you try. What's the worst that could happen when you ask? Second, most people will be completely flattered by the idea that someone would like to connect with them because of their experience. If you make the ask in a way that offers something to the relationship and is also clear in order to respect the time they have, chances are pretty good you'll be off to a great start with your new connection!

Following up and following through is key. Networking, especially strategic networking, where you're the one who initiates the contact, is a game of numbers. You can't expect people to respond all the time and right away (unless you're a celebrity). You need to work the pipeline. One of my strategic networking recommendations is to create a workflow in Asana, Notion, Trello or another project management software where you track the progress of all points of communication with people and make sure to follow up with them every few weeks. People are busy, they go on vacation, it's normal to have to ping them at least once more to get a reply.

T?o importante quanto conquistar pessoas novas para sua rede de contatos é interagir com quem já é parte dela. Sem este cuidado, sua rede corre o risco de se transformar em um mero "álbum de figurinhas". Esteja atento para ser útil as pessoas de sua rede. Esta é uma forma positiva de se fazer notar e lembrar.

Organization of information and your activities is an important step here. Keep a spreadsheet or document for whom you're speaking to, what actions or followups came out of them, when you might reconnect, who they introduced you to, etc. With a lot of networking, it's easy to forget and lose sight of the next step.

Yes, it is possible to network effectively while working from home. In fact, remote work and virtual networking have become increasingly common, especially in recent years. Regularly update your social media profiles and share valuable content related to your industry. This can help you stay visible and attract potential connections.

Effective networking from home entails using online platforms, participating in virtual events, and nurturing online relationships. Engage in webinars, social media groups, and virtual coffee chats. Share your expertise through content, and don't hesitate to reach out to contacts. Building a strong online network is vital for career growth in today's digital world.

People are often discouraged when trying to network working from home, but a lot of networking happens behind a screen first! There are also a myriad of virtual meet-up opportunities for professionals across all industries that can be an impactful way to network while working from home. For those who want a break from the home office, you can find professionals in your area to connect with over coffee or lunch in addition to your online networking.