Sometimes it takes a major event to force you to think outside the box and certainly this year's big pandemic totally changed the dynamic of professional business networking.
Gone are the big events at a venue with speakers, shaking hands and exchanging business cards. Now it is Zoom or Meet, network bandwidth and those electronic business cards! You heard of the "New Normal", but how does it relate to Professional Business Networking? Let's go over the following eight highlights!
What is the new normal in Business Networking? Opportunity!
Now that you can reach anyone virtually or work for any company and expand your company's demographics, there is serious opportunity to network with professionals from all over the world. Think about it, you are in Boston and your most successful business partner lives in Reno, Nevada. You met them at some virtual event you were not even thinking of going to, and now you just took your business to the next level with your new connection!
Polishing (Updating) Your Social Media Profiles
This is the time to go through all of your personal and business profiles and make sure all information is up-to-date, especially on the key platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Social Media has made a huge comeback since everyone is online from their home office and your LinkedIn profile is your first impression and first impressions last forever, so update that profile. Here is a great video for some tips.
Think Worldwide When It Comes to Your Career/ Personal Brand
It is pretty wild this year how far reaching our Mass Professional Networking group has expanded to far reaches of the globe. We connected professionals from far away places for their new opportunity. Products are reaching new demographics/areas of the world. Everyone should be expanding their online presence and make sure they are building a revenue stream online selling their products and services. You are Worldwide now.
Become Familiar with Video Conferencing Tools such as Zoom or Meet.
I bet you never heard of Zoom before 2020. Now is about as mainstream as a Google Search. There are other options such as Google Meet, Facebook Messenger and Microsoft Teams. Learn how to create your own meeting, share your screen to present a topic and how to do Breakout Rooms for networking events. It is skill you need to have in our virtual world.
Become Familiar with Websites to Find Virtual Events/ Trainings
Just about every major business networking organization and educational institution is offering virtual events and trainings. Again, since we are all virtual, you do not need to rely on your local area training or events. Attend a training from Miami or Tokyo. Try out a networking event in London right from your home office. Sites such as Eventbrite, Meetup or doing a Google Search can locate some amazing events for you to check out.
Review Your Professional/Personal Connections and Reach Out
Shifting gears, I wanted to stress the importance of reaching out, especially in these times. By now, you have build a sizable professional network on LinkedIn and it is time to connect and see who you can help out or simply reach out and say HI. Personal connection is essential now for mental health and to positively influence others. Always remember anniversary events and birthdays of your connections and send a personal note and re-engage!
No Fear, Onsite Events/Trainings are Coming Back in 2021 but Virtual Events are Here to Stay
We at Mass Professional Networking are looking forward to holding events at venues in 2021 but want to make sure our attendees are safe and feel very comfortable coming to our events. With vaccines available in early 2021, the light is at the end of the tunnel. Even with onsite events coming back, we will still have regular virtual events. After all, it is important to stay connected to all those amazing professionals we met in 2020 and you never know if that business owner in Butte, Montana is your next major client!
There are More Opportunities Than Ever Now Be Ready!
So get that LinkedIn profile up to date, learn how to do a virtual event and attend that virtual event from Los Angeles. The world is your platform so get online and expand your success. The time is now and there are more opportunities than ever!
Finally, check out our Social Media Advisor, Samantha Vingers with some additional tips on Networking in the New Normal from our AIMC Business Solutions You Tube Channel!
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