Master Online Networking: 10 Proven Tips - Expand Your Circle
12 min read
Learn how to network online to fuel your career advancement!
Networking can make or break your career. One report from Hubspot reveals that 42% of professionals found their current job through networking.
However, for some of us, regularly attending in-person networking events is simply not an option. That’s where online networking comes into the equation. In the following guide, we will take a look at the best tips to network online and how to get started.
What is online networking?
First up, a definition: Online networking isn't much different than in-person networking.
The key difference is that it takes place virtually and not face-to-face. At its core, it’s about being prepared, staying diligent, and putting in the work to expand your connections.
By now, most people will know about using LinkedIn to make connections or using Twitter or Facebook to promote themselves online.
Being on these platforms is a good start, however, they are merely the tip of the iceberg. We will discuss some of the best tips for online networking in this guide to help you get started.
Benefits of online networking
The benefits of online networking remain essentially the same as in-person networking: it grants you access to the expertise of peers, enriches your industry knowledge base, and builds access to career opportunities.
Networking online, however, also offers a host of additional benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them below:
Convenience. Instead of traveling to conferences, you can make the same connections without leaving the house. This is handy if you work from home, have commitments, or simply want to do some additional networking when you’re in the comfort of your home.
Go global. Fancy taking your networking global? You can at the touch of a button. The beauty of online networking is you can build connections across the country and all around the world.
Level playing field. The internet levels the playing field. With traditional networking events, a hierarchy restricts access to the most influential people. Online platforms open connections across status layers.
Less intimidating. Approaching professionals in person can be daunting. Online, you don’t have to walk across a room and strike up a conversation. The dynamics can be very different. If you find traditional networking tough, try online networking for size.
10 Expert Tips to Network Online, Revealed
1. Understand your target network
Before we take a deep-dive into online networking platforms, let’s talk about what you need to do first. It’s important that you understand your target network — i.e. who you want to connect with. This may seem like a laborious task, but it matters more than you think. Here’s how:
Know your target network. You should know what types of people you wish to have in your network. For example, if you sell data tech, you should connect with IT managers.
Identify your niche. Finding a niche topic is a great way to create your personal brand, which is a critical step in online networking.
Find relevant people. Target people who work at companies you’re interested in, and work in similar aspects of your target industry or connected aspects. Expanding your reach in many directions is important, but it’s even more important to be targeted in your approach. Don’t waste time throwing contacts into the wind.
Be strategic, too. Don’t get hung up on connecting with executives. Seniority isn’t the only thing that matters. C-level professionals are the least likely to respond to people they don’t know, but people at lower levels respond most often.
When you have done all of the above, you should have a clear understanding of your target network. You can use this when you start networking online. The audience you have chosen will affect everything from the platform you use to the tone of messaging that works the best.
Expert Tip
Make a ‘hit list’ first!
Before you launch into your online networking strategy, it may be helpful to make a ‘hit list’. Start out by drafting a selection of companies for which you would love to work. When you have that, it’s time to play detective and pinpoint the business decision-makers.
As we have already covered, you don’t need to contact senior professionals to make an impact. You could research other decision-makers, such as hiring managers, the managers of specific departments, or long-standing members of staff.
As we have already covered, you don’t need to contact senior professionals to make an impact. You could research other decision-makers, such as hiring managers, the managers of specific departments, or long-standing members of staff.
2. Rebrand your online presence
Now that you have pinned down your target network, let’s turn the spotlight onto you. Chances are, you already have an online presence. Perhaps you have a LinkedIn page, Facebook, and Instagram. One of the best tips to network online is to overhaul your profiles. Here’s how:
Decide which networks to use. Spoiler: You don’t have to use every social media channel in your arsenal. You may decide that your Instagram and Facebook are private accounts – i.e. for your personal connections – while LinkedIn is your primary online networking tool. Make this decision early on to save yourself time and energy.
Overhaul your profile. Now that you know which network you’re going to use, the next step is to revamp your existing profile. Take a look at our LinkedIn profile tips here for some help along the way. In this case, you should rewrite your summary, add relevant skills, and get endorsements from your connections. With other social networks, make sure that your bio, posts, and pictures are suitable for a workplace setting.
Perfect your profile picture. A picture is worth a thousand words – or so the old saying goes. With that in mind, you should ensure that you get your profile picture right. If you want to use the platform for networking, your picture should be a headshot with a plain background. Make sure that it is clear and shows you in a professional light.
Edit, edit, edit. If you are revamping an existing social media account, here’s a tip that you don’t want to overlook. Go back through your old posts etc., and do some editing. It may take some time, but you can go back through the site and make sure it’s on point.
Statistical Insight
How big is each social media platform? According to a 2024 report on Statista, the following sites are the most popular worldwide when ranked by average monthly users:
Facebook – more than 3 billion users
YouTube – more than 2.4 billion users
WhatsApp – around 2 billion users
Instagram – around 2 billion users
TikTok – around 1.5 billion users
Note: LinkedIn was not included in this report. However, the platform’s data states that it has one billion members in more than 200 countries.
Statistical Insight
How big is each social media platform? According to a 2024 report on Statista, the following sites are the most popular worldwide when ranked by average monthly users:
Facebook – more than 3 billion users
YouTube – more than 2.4 billion users
WhatsApp – around 2 billion users
Instagram – around 2 billion users
TikTok – around 1.5 billion users
Note: LinkedIn was not included in this report. However, the platform’s data states that it has one billion members in more than 200 countries.
3. Join industry groups on social media
Beyond basic social media, there are platforms solely for establishing business communities. These sites offer a chance to join existing communities of peers. Here are some options:
It’s worth taking the time to see which of these platforms works for you. When you have done that, sign up and start connecting with the right communities. Build a reputation here, by engaging with posts, answering questions, and distributing other people’s content in the group.
Expert Tip
Research your industry first!
Chances are, there will be industry-specific platforms and spaces you have missed. When you are looking for ways to network online, you don’t want to overlook these in your search.
Take the time to research different options and see what your field has to offer. It may be worth asking like-minded professionals which channels they use, for example. The more you “think outside the box,” the better you can expand your overall reach online.
4. Join an online mastermind
Masterminds are like matchmaking groups, but for business. This peer-to-peer mentoring group is designed to help members solve their problems.
They’ve been around for a long time. And when it comes to business networking online, your mastermind group can be a huge source of social and business connections for you. Being in a great mastermind group can unlock all kinds of doors and set you on a new path in your career.
To join one online, you can find a group on either Meetup, Reddit, or Facebook. Even just go to Google or Meetup.com and search “mastermind groups near me.”
5. Attend online networking events
Here’s one of the best tips for online networking and it costs you nothing. There are a vast array of free online events, conferences, and workshops happening every day, and they’re a great place to connect with other professionals in your industry. Here’s what you should do:
Find events online. You can find online networking events on Eventbrite, enterprise league, Hoppier, Vistage, and many more. Just do a quick online search for “business networking events + (your industry/niche)”.
Introduce yourself. Being silent in the background is not the way to go. When you get the chance, introduce yourself to the rest of the group. This may be a good point to whip out your elevator pitch so that the other attendees get a concise breakdown of who you are as a professional. Having this in your back pocket is a savvy move.
Be an active participant. You want to make the right impression on the other participants. To do that, you’re going to need to prepare in advance. Make sure that you have some questions prepped and do your research on the event before it starts. While the online event is happening, ensure that you are an active member of the group.
Follow up. Was there a professional who piqued your interest? One of the best tips for networking online is to follow up with people. If you think that one of the other attendees is worth connecting with, don’t be afraid to do just that. You could drop them a quick email or find them on LinkedIn and send them an introductory message.
6. Become a super connector
Want to boost your value? Here’s a simple way to get ahead of the competition. Position yourself as a super connector. You can be the person who connects other professionals. This is a powerful position to be in. Here are some strategies:
Ask about people’s problems. Before you can start connecting people, you need to understand their problems. What solutions are they looking for? Whenever you meet someone new, ask them what struggles they are having right now. You can use this information to recommend the right people to them — i.e. those who can help them.
Learn about people’s skills. Of course, you can’t go around recommending professionals to one another without first understanding their skill sets. When it comes to tips for online networking, don’t overlook this one. Take the time to truly get to know what each new professional does and what they can offer to clients and others.
Make online introductions. If you see a potential match, speak up about it. You can send a message cc-ing both parties and explaining why you believe that they should connect. This simple approach shows others that you have influence and value.
Of course, you don’t want to go about connecting people for no reason. Avoid matching professionals with each other simply because you think that you should. Instead, look for genuine gaps that people have and figure out if you know anyone who can help to fill them.
7. Share engaging and informative content
Joining online groups and making connections is just one part of the puzzle. One of the most effective tips for online networking is contributing to conversations.
For example, you could add your unique perspectives to ongoing discussions. It doesn’t end there. If you want to truly elevate your online presence, you should also do the following:
Create informative posts. Avoid writing posts for the sake of it. That will get you nowhere fast. Instead, consider what your target network (see tip number one!) wants from the channel. Write thoughtful and informative content that reaches them.
Share videos and podcasts. Videos and podcasts are wildly popular mediums, and so you should be using them. You have two options here. You can share other people’s content with your audience. Or you can create and share your own videos and podcasts.
Host virtual events. Professionals are always looking for new ways to connect. So give it to them. Try hosting a virtual event on LinkedIn, for example. Being the organizer helps to raise your profile while allowing you to connect with more professionals online.
8. Keep conversations moving forward
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when online networking is letting communication run cold. You might be a pro when it comes to starting conversations but you have to keep them moving. Make sure that you continuously check the platform and keep on top of any comments.
9. Tailor your direct messages
Quality networking is about making real connections. It is not about simply adding as many people to your online network as possible. When you are reaching out to people online, you need to keep this firmly in your mind. Here are some simple tips and tricks:
Don’t use a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Copying and pasting messages to people is a surefire way to annoy them. If you do decide to reach out to key professionals, learn about them first. That way, you can tailor your messaging to them.
Comment on their work. Show that you have done your research by commenting on a recent project or piece of work they have completed. For example, you might say ‘I recently saw your marketing campaign with Adidas and loved your fresh take on the brand’. This simple line proves that you are genuinely interested in the professional.
Say why you want to connect. The reader will be wondering why you’re reaching out. So, tell them! Explain why you want to connect and what overlap you see here. Being upfront and honest about this is a simple way to make the right impression.
10. Be patient and trust the process
Think that these tips for online networking will work overnight? You might want to think again. This is a long-term strategy, and so you have to be patient with it. Building an online presence won’t offer you immediate results. However, it will help you to boost your chances of success.
Do it well and when the time comes to find a new job, you will have a wealth of connections at your fingertips. Start working on that now and it will certainly pay off when the time is right.
Takeaway
Online networking is an artform – but you have the power to master it. In this guide, we have shared some of the most useful tips to network online. No matter what your existing presence is like, you have the opportunity to take ownership of it and revamp it. Use our advice to help you get started and begin tapping into an endless network of professionals.
Having an outstanding resume as part of your online profile is crucial in making a great impression online. Let the experts at ZipJob help you build yours.
Recommended reading:
Written by
Robert Lyons, Freelance Writer
As a freelance writer, Robert has covered technology, travel, arts, the entertainment industry, and career development. Originally from the Midwest, he has lived in L.A. and Berlin but now is based in New York.
