Chapter 2: Nurturing The Connections You Already Have Virtually
You already have some connections. Whether you have done a few internships or worked at several jobs in your career, you have a few connections that you can work with at any time. This is great news because you already have a good source of connections that you can utilize the way that you want. You will be able to grow that a little bit more in the future, but for now, we need to focus on the people we already know.
How can you connect with this group of people virtually? In our fast-paced world, it is not always possible to keep up with this network face to face, but that does not mean you want to lose them as an important connection, or that they want to lose you either. There are different ways that you are able to work with these connections and still reach them, even if you are not in the same location and can’t meet them in-person as often as you would like. Some of these options include:
Make Sure You Have Their Social Media?
Social media is going to be your friend when it comes to virtual networking. This is the perfect place to keep in touch with some of your connections, learn new things about that connection, and even send quick messages when you want to keep in touch with them. Make sure that you are utilizing social media, especially some of the big ones like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so that you can reach your connections and keep in touch. This provides a personal touch to them and will make it more likely that they will be available for a favor later on.
Check Up With A Text Or Email
Let the connection know that you are thinking about them, even if you have not run into them for a long time. You do not have to spend a lot of time doing this. A few minutes here or there on occasion can help. Set some reminders or put it down on your calendar, especially if there are important dates that you want to remember to congratulate or think about a connection for on that day.
When it is time to reach out to the connection, you can just check in through email or a text. This only takes a few minutes, but just a few heartfelt words will be enough to show the other person that you care about them and are thinking about them. This will go a long way in helping you to get ahead and really reach your goals, even when you can’t stop in and see the connection that often.
Invite To Networking Events With New Connections
If you have a new networking event that is going to happen soon, invite some of those connections to that event. You do not need to invite them to each event and you do not need to invite every connection to the event either. The point is to know your connections well enough that you know when one particular networking event will entice them or help them reach some goals.
It is even better if you are able to entice them with an event that has new connections for them to meet. Everyone loves a good networking event that has new connections, ones that they have not been able to form on their own yet. This can be a good way for you to reconnect with them, show them something of value to themselves, and to keep that connection nearby if you need them later on. And all it takes is a quick invitation and a few seconds of your time.
Life is busy and it is not always possible to meet people in-person all the time. This does not make it an excuse to ignore some of your past connections and only focus on a few people you can see right now. With the right networking in place, you will be able to still connect with those people who are valuable to your success, even through virtual means.