At a crowded conference, Maya felt lost. Everyone seemed to know each other, but she didn’t know where to start. That’s when she met Rachel, a experienced professional who showed her the power of social networking. Rachel introduced Maya to her network, and soon she was connected to people who shared her interests.
Rachel taught Maya how to use social media to expand her network beyond the conference room. With Rachel’s help, Maya learned how to build relationships, establish her personal brand, and even find new job opportunities.
Many people struggle to make connections and build their professional networks. But social networking can make it easier. In this article, we’ll share practical steps to help you get started with social networking and take your career to the next level.
1. Make Direct One-on-One Contact
A good first step is reaching out to people directly by sending a short, friendly message. This helps to start building your professional connection right away.
Keep your message brief because many people will read it on their phone or tablet and prefer something quick to read.
Being personal helps you connect with the person and shows you’re interested in starting a mutually beneficial relationship.
Here are some examples:
“Hi Stacy, I’m Edward. I saw that we both studied marketing at Francis University. Let’s connect and swap stories about our experiences in the field. Maybe you can offer some valuable advice?”
“Hey Arman, I’m Gretchen. I think you know my friend Nori Hampton. She mentioned you work at a consulting firm in Boston. I just started as a consulting analyst and would love to hear any tips you can share about the career.”
These messages are brief, personal, and show genuine interest in connecting with the other person. They also mention a shared experience or connection, which can help break the ice and start a meaningful conversation.
2. Network with Individuals at all Working Levels
When you’re networking via direct contact on social media, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to connect with the “big shots” in your industry.
But don’t forget about the people at all levels, from interns to managers. Connecting with someone at a similar stage in their career can be a game-changer.
Take the story of Alex, a marketing professional who connected with a fellow marketer, Rachel, on LinkedIn.
They were both in similar roles and were able to offer each other advice and support as they navigated their careers.
As they grew in their roles, they continued to support each other and even collaborated on projects.
Years later, Rachel landed a leadership role at a top marketing firm and was able to offer Alex a job opportunity.
This wouldn’t have happened if Alex had only focused on connecting with high-level executives. By building relationships with people at all levels, Alex was able to cultivate a strong network that paid off in the long run.
“The most successful people I know are those who are able to connect the dots between different areas of their lives and find common ground with others.”
Huffington, A. (2014). Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder. Harmony Books.
Plus, let’s be real – entry-level professionals are often more responsive to connection requests than busy CEOs. So don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who is just starting out in their career.
You never know where they’ll end up, and the support and guidance you offer them today could lead to big opportunities down the line.
Also, if you’re interested in expanding your networking into industry and conference events you should check out this video.
3. Join Groups or Pages Of Interest
A good way to find people at all levels to network with is by joining groups or following pages on social media platforms.
These communities are dedicated to specific topics, such as hobbies, industries, or interests. By joining these groups, you can meet like-minded individuals and potentially build valuable professional connections.
When you join a group, introduce yourself on the homepage and share your current role and experience related to the topic. For example:
“Hi everyone, I’m John, a freelance writer with a passion for photography. I’m excited to share my photos and learn from others in this group.”
“Hello, I’m Emily, a marketing specialist with a love for cooking. I’m looking forward to sharing recipes and learning about new food trends.”
“Hi, I’m David, a software engineer with a interest in hiking. I’m eager to connect with others who share my passion for the outdoors.”
“Social media is not just a tool to reach people, it’s a tool to reach people who want to be reached.”
Vaynerchuk, G. (2013). Crush It! Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion. HarperBusiness.
By introducing yourself, you can:
- Establish connections with people from diverse career backgrounds.
- Gain access to valuable advice and insights.
- Receive helpful information and resources.
- Potentially uncover new job opportunities.
Remember, building relationships with others who share your interests can lead to meaningful professional connections and new opportunities.
Also, on social media groups and pages, you’ll meet clients who are interested in your work. If you can surprise your clients, networking will be very useful to you. This blog post will help you with strategies to wow your clients.
4. Seek Guidance
In social media groups or pages, asking for advice from experienced professionals is a great way to build connections quickly.
They often remember their own struggles and are willing to share valuable insights to help you grow.
Reaching out on social media can lead to meaningful relationships and new opportunities.
For example, there’s a story of a young entrepreneur, Alex, who wanted to make a name for himself in the tech industry.
He knew that social networking was key to building professional relationships online, so he started by joining industry specific groups on LinkedIn.
One day, he stumbled upon a post from a renowned tech expert, Jamie, who was sharing valuable insights on innovation.
“The best leaders are the ones who ask for help when they need it.”
Sinek, S. (2011). Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Penguin.
Alex was impressed and decided to comment on the post, sharing his own thoughts and experiences.
This sparked a conversation between Alex and Jamie, and they quickly discovered they had a lot in common.
Alex shared his passion for revolutionizing the tech industry, reminiscent of Bill Gates’ journey with Microsoft.
Gates, who started building his professional network in the 1970s, leveraged social connections to collaborate with fellow visionaries, like Paul Allen.
Similarly, Alex’s connection with Jamie led to new opportunities, introductions to industry leaders, and access to valuable resources.
By emulating Gates’ approach to social networking, Alex was able to build meaningful professional relationships online, positioning himself for success in the competitive tech landscape.
5. Lend a Hand
It’s important to help others when building professional relationships because it shows that your relationship can be mutually beneficial.
For example, if you’re a marketing specialist at HubSpot and know of a recent college graduate looking for an entry-level marketing job, consider talking with your manager to see if the graduate might be a good fit for the company.
It’s always possible that in a few years, the college graduate might be able to offer you advice or help you achieve a new role or position.
Another example is Rachel, a software engineer at Google, who mentored a junior colleague, Chris, in coding and project management.
As Chris grew in his role, he was able to assist Rachel with a high-profile project, and later, introduced Rachel to a valuable connection in the industry.
By helping Chris, Rachel not only supported a colleague but also gained a valuable ally and potential collaborator.
By helping others, you demonstrate that your professional relationships are about more than just personal gain, and that you’re invested in the success of those around you.
This can lead to stronger, more meaningful connections and a wider network of supportive peers.
6. Share Your Expertise Through Blogging
Some social media platforms allow you to create your own blog, giving you the perfect opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills in your industry.
By writing about your current job or field, you can demonstrate your expertise and credentials without needing a resume or cover letter.
This can catch the attention of professional contacts who may inform you about job opportunities. For instance, if you’re in marketing, write blog posts sharing your insights and tips on effective marketing strategies.
Researching industry trends before writing ensures your content is fresh, relevant, and timely.
Boost your social networking by creating content that highlights your occupation and industry, establishing yourself as a thought leader.
If you’d like to use your content to build a strong online presence, then you should definitely watch this video.
7. Build Meaningful Connections
Instead of just having one-time conversations, focus on building long-term relationships that can lead to new opportunities.
To do this, offer guidance without expecting anything in return and be genuine in your daily interactions.
This helps establish a strong foundation for professional relationships and enhances your reputation within your network.
By fostering meaningful connections through social networking, you can grow your professional network naturally and unlock future opportunities.
Also, check out this blog post for the best social media platforms to network.
Conclusion
Building a professional network in social media marketing is crucial for success in today’s digital landscape.
By making direct one-on-one contact, joining groups or pages of interest, seeking guidance, and building meaningful connections etc, you can establish a strong online presence and unlock new opportunities.
Also, if you’re into blogging, it’s a good idea to network with photographers, as you’ll need to make use of images in your blog posts. There’s no better place to do this than on Tristetix.
So, What’s your experience with networking?
