How to Network Online
Occasionally, people I know will ask me how I, a college student, have as many Twitter followers and/or LinkedIn connections as I do. The answer I tend to give them is that networking online essentially comes down to three parts: be geeky about something, communicate well, and be passionate about benefiting others.
Now before we get to those steps, I need to establish a few key points. Firstly, networking online isn’t for everyone. Sometimes people aren’t comfortable with sharing personal information about themselves or their interests online and that’s OK. This article is probably not for those people. Secondly, you need to accept that social media isn’t some sort of silly game: it can be used - and is used - as a powerful networking tool. When I hear folks tell me that I spend time “playing on the computer,” it still irks me. Making meaningful connections with real people online does happen, despite what some people might assume. Thirdly, I’ll provide my favorite definition of “networking” from Dictionary.com: “[Networking is] an association of individuals having a common interest, formed to provide mutual assistance, helpful information, or the like.” What’s so great about online networking is that you’re not limited by the constrictions your physical location - you can network with anyone, from almost anywhere, at any time.
With those items out of the way, let’s get to it.
1. Be geeky about something
Find your interests and stick with them. There’s a good number of studies out there (like the findings of this Forbes article) that prove working on what you’re good at is much more beneficial than trying to counter what you’re bad at by focusing on your weaknesses. If a subject in school fascinates you, go wild researching it and learning more about it. If you’re a big fan of a TV series, start a club about it. Whether it’s writing fan fiction, memorizing song lyrics, or inventing something entirely new, do what makes you excited about the thing about which you’re most passionate. Find strategic ways to share this content with the internet, for example, utilize a video to demonstrate your skills, or share a thought in written-form via a blog. The more valuable content you share from your heart, the more like-minded individuals will start to notice and will see you as an innovator or leader in your particular area of geekery.
2. Communicate well
When handling responses on the web, be receptive. When in doubt, be positive and uplifting, not negative and discouraging. There’s been research that says people that post more negative than positive content tend to get unfollowed more rapidly - but even besides the risk of losing followers, you should want to build a network of positivity around what it is you are passionate about, not merely offer another cynical perspective and a barrage of complaints. Encourage follow-up and outside interaction to your online contributions, and treat those who respond to your web content with respect. Even if you don’t share their perspective or agree with them, candidly engage them anyway. If you detect that an individual is attempting to troll you (or get a rise out of you), however, feel free to respond by ignoring them - you don’t need to respond to everything.
3. Be passionate about benefiting others
It’s not all about you - meeting new people is for their benefit, too. When you make meaningful connections with people, remember that it’s a two-way street. As an individual, not only do you benefit from meeting people, but you also are able to be an asset to others by offering your skills, talents, and potential, even by just giving a few pieces of advice, or becoming their next employee. Remember to get excited about that - by meeting someone else, you have the chance to improve their life and get them to be in a better place than where they were before they met you. If you’re networking purely to bring yourself up, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
So what are you waiting for? Start utilizing the internet!
What is it that you are passionate about? What is that thing that, if you were asked, you would do for free? Discover your interests, capitalize on your strengths, and connect with others that share your affinity for what it is you love.
Disclaimer: the viewpoints and opinions expressed in this article are my own and are not (necessarily) shared by any of my employers.