Building a professional network is one of the most important things you can do to advance your career. In the advent of remote work, networking has also gone digital.

Networking from home can take some extra work and research. What was once defined by coffee chats and in-person events has now transitioned to online forums and messaging. So—how can professionals successfully network in the digital age?

Online networking sites for professionals

With social media, networking has become more comfortable and effortless than ever before. A variety of websites fit for remote networking exist, all with varying approaches to building connections with other professionals.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has more than 774 million users—all spanning various professions and locations. Almost every business organization has some sort of visibility or presence on LinkedIn.

Due to its targeted purpose and professional features, LinkedIn is the perfect platform for networking. Its group, member, and job offerings make it the go-to site for career-related networking.

LinkedIn offers members a global, remote networking experience. You have the opportunity to reach prospects all over the world, follow and learn from CEOs, and build relationships with your dream company.

Try taking advantage of LinkedIn groups, where you can join based on industry or interest. With this feature, members can share industry updates, job openings, discussion threads, and build quality, relevant relationships.

To succeed in remote networking with LinkedIn, you will need to create an optimized LinkedIn profile. An optimized profile allows you to be better seen and identify relevant opportunities in your industry. LinkedIn will also automatically suggest influential connections to you based on those with related interests or profiles.

LinkedIn also allows you to perform robust searches for members—with filtering options by location, company, and even position.
Seemingly endless job opportunities are posted on the LinkedIn job section, spanning various industries. If you are serious about networking online, LinkedIn should be your first platform.

Slack

If you want to connect with people who share common interests, another great remote networking platform is Slack. Slack hosts communities for every location, skill set, industry, and hobby out there. Try seeking out niche professional Slacks, like Ladies Get Paid or Designer Hangout.

Conferences

Attending virtual conferences, seminars, and workshops is a great way to meet new people related to your industry.

You may even discover more connections at virtual events than at an in-person conference due to their accessibility. At these virtual conferences, attendees are encouraged to—and may feel more comfortable—connecting and fostering relationships outside of the stand-alone event.

Virtual events are great for first-time networkers. By having a shared experience and reference point, it can feel less scary to reach out to new connections and follow up.

Other social media platforms

Social media platforms like Reddit and Facebook also have sections dedicated to people with common interests—a hub for remote networking opportunities.
Try seeking out groups dedicated to announcing job openings or virtual coffee chats. By taking advantage of all social media has to offer, you’re likely to find like-minded individuals and build quality connections.

Professional networking online: methods and advice

Building a robust network of professionals takes effort, but with the right tools and mindset, you can find amazing connections and even job-related success. Keep these tips in mind as you begin your remote networking journey.

It is a two-way process. Networking is about sharing, not just taking. Make sure your remote networking experience is always a two-way street.
Networking should be about building trust and helping one another achieve goals. You can accomplish this by regularly engaging with people in your network and looking out for opportunities to strengthen relationships. With that, connections will naturally feel the desire to help. After all, it’s only human to look for ways to reciprocate good gestures.

Try making friends first. Just as you wouldn’t propose on a first date, the same goes for building connections. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you build a rapport with your connection before furthering any discussion or presenting any big asks.

Avoid generic messages. Before sending emails or direct messages to people you want to connect with, be sure to research who they are, their company, environment, and other things that make your message not sound generic. And whenever you drop comments on platforms, don’t give blanket statements like the layman to the field. Be specific, constructive, and endearing.

Know your network’s network. Often, people we already have in our network will have connections of their own with whom it would be valuable to build relationships. A quick and effortless way to expand your network is to ask people in your network for a referral.

Make follow-up a priority. Following up with existing contacts should be of a higher priority than connecting with new people. A strong bond with a few individuals within your industry is better than just having many people know you without any real connection. It’s important to not only talk with a connection when you need something from them. Check in consistently to ensure you are top of mind when an opportunity arises.

Building your professional network online is a lot like in person—it requires perseverance, persistence, and a desire to connect. Networking is about building relationships over time throughout your career. Don’t wait until you are out of work to start networking. Take time to network online today using these tips and tools.