The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about business networking processes for the foreseeable future. Not only has communication shifted to become more digital in the wake of the pandemic, but more and more people are deciding to choose a work-from-home lifestyle.
This, however, makes it harder to establish genuine relationships and professional connections with leads, prospects, clients, collaborators, and associates. Techjury has concluded that 95% of people agree that better business relationships are built through face-to-face communication.
Although many people see the world returning to normalcy as more in-person meetings are taking place, the professional landscape is forever changed. In today’s digital landscape, it’s important to be on the cutting edge when it comes to establishing and cultivating personal and professional relationships.
How Business Networking Has Changed
Digital networking is the new normal, whether that be through email campaigns, phone calls, or social media outreach. This new workforce and modern shift to the digital landscape have provided an incredible amount of digital networking strategies and benefits.
Although digital networking has been around for quite some time, the world made the shift in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Business professionals started utilizing social media networks to expand and deepen their connections with business contacts. 63% of people said that they will continue to utilize digital technology more frequently after the pandemic has passed.
Social Media Networking Facts
Social Media has improved digital networking strategies because business professionals can expand their reach beyond local communities to create connections across the globe.
Whether you establish connections with Facebook Groups, Twitter hashtags, or LinkedIn’s hustle culture, you can utilize social media in different ways.
Social media networking allows connections to send messages and respond to them whenever and wherever they see fit. A study from Forbes found that 76% of business professionals agreed that one of the best benefits of leveraging technology for networking is the more flexibility they get in both location and timing. Digital networking can give businesses and professionals more time and also more opportunities for referrals.
Digital Networking Tips To Succeed in 2022
Whether you are riding the wave and facilitating networking through digital means or you are a traditionalist that relies on in-person meetings, you can use the following tips to nurture your connections in the post-pandemic landscape.
Build Meaningful Connections
Consider business networking as a means for establishing connections and genuine relationships — whether that be in person or not. Focus on establishing a few meaningful connections at a time without spamming large groups of people. This will make your contacts feel like they’re of a higher quality. They also may last much longer.
Practice Effective Communication
Effective communication is all about listening more than you speak. Listening can make you a better conversationalist — the more engaging the conversation, the more likely you are to cultivate a strong networking connection with that person. By listening, you can ask individuals the right questions and show empathy and courtesy to their individual needs.
Make Yourself Stand Out
Don’t try to be all things for all people. Instead, establish yourself as an expert in your own field. Market yourself as the sole solution for your connection’s needs. Standing out in a virtual context can make you stand out from the crowd of profiles. Engage with other posts to attract attention and establish connections.
Now that you have a good idea of how to establish connections in a post-pandemic world, you can put them to good use in your daily professional life. Streamline your online presence with outreach calls, live chat services, and email campaigns once you have your connections established.
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