Just because we’re no longer in lockdown doesn’t mean the power of networking virtually is irrelevant. I was able to campaign an entire marketing campaign for Charlotte, North Carolina while working full-time in Tokyo. With a combination of a few tricks I learned during the pandemic, a lot of those tried and true opportunities paid off! Here are a few things you might want to consider if you find yourself a bit far from the action.
Leverage Social Media Platforms
I will point out the obvious and ask, who are your target audience members and what platforms do they use? The answer will decide which platform you need to prioritize. LinkedIn? Twitter? Facebook? Where are they and what are they talking about? How engaged are they with each other?
Finding ways to participate in the conversations that showcase your skills, and knowledge of the topic will help you get noticed among the crowd. In my case, I joined several Charlotte and North Carolina-based Photography and Modelling groups on Facebook. I also joined entrepreneurial groups and real estate groups. Some of the points of conversation allowed for more experienced members to mentor junior members in the group. This paired with active participation allows for admin and moderators to promote special members with shoutouts in groups or even direct recommendations to members who have questions.
Participating in Online Events
Before my trip to Charlotte, I made sure to attend as many online events or live meetings as I could. Granted there weren’t as many as there were 3 years ago but I felt more connected with the virtual members I was building relationships with.
Most importantly, there is no need to aim for the meetings scheduled in the middle of the night if you’re not keen on it. I personally looked for events that were early morning Japan time where the host and guests could see my profile or my face clearly and get to know me a bit more.
You can find events like these within the virtual communities and industry leaders you’re engaging with. Don’t know where to start? Try Eventbrite or Meetup for online events.
Utilize Professional Networking Sites
This one was a new one for me. There are so many dedicated networking sites that have memberships or paywalls. These can be a bit hit or miss as Japan sometimes does not have hubs within that network. You can find luck with organizations such as BNI, Toastmasters, and InterNations however other highly engaged global networking sites such as Polka Dot Powerhouse or Hivebrite do not have any presence in Japan. That’s not to say there isn’t an opportunity to build a hub here in Tokyo, it just might be in alignment with what you are looking for for long-distance networking.
The Follow Up
Are you one of those people who connect with others online and then the relationship stagnates? How did the two of you follow up with each other? Direct Messaging or emailing is a must for staying in touch. Make the message personal or add a specific point from your previous conversation. Also, make sure you stay in touch regularly and offer support and congratulations on their wins. Make a real effort. Hitting the “Like” button does not tell people you are invested in building a relationship with them.
Video Chat with Those You’ve Met
Don’t wait for the admins or host of your online networking groups to set up a Zoom or Google Meet call, and link up on a deeper level with your community members about topics and even personal stories.
This is one of my favorite ways to stay connected with my photography friends overseas, especially if it’s a group of you. Sometimes we have a standing weekly meeting and other times it can be spontaneous! Coffee and Zoom, Wine and Zoom, Editing and Zoom, create a fun way to connect with those you’ve met! Don’t be shy!
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In closing, the most important part of networking is to build relationships with others. Selling services and throwing around pitches are great for marketing but those presentations can fall on deaf ears if communities do not know who you are and what your story is.
Who are you and how can you build the network stronger and more robust than how you found it?
