How to Make Connections in a Socially Distant World
In my last post I shared my story and talked about why you should start making connections now, even if you don’t need think you need them at this moment in time.The current global pandemic is no reason to stop you from expanding your network.
The big question is, how are you going to make those connections now, with our current situation. Conferences have been cancelled. Organizations are no longer meeting In fact, in-person meetups of all kinds are pretty much out the window. But, where there is a will, there is a way. I’ve seen some pretty innovative ways to connect, along with some traditional networking methodologies. Here are a few that stand out to me.
Set Up Video Chats
Probably the most innovative way I’ve seen during this time to make connections or deepen ones you already have was something my friend, Leah McChesney, did. Less than a month into the lock down, I was scrolling through LinkedIn and came across a video she had posted. There she was, inviting anyone who was interested to sign up for a 30-minute video chat . She talked about how she’d had some amazing talks the past few weeks and learned so much through them. The joy she got from those connections gave her the idea to greatly expand the process and invite in her larger community.
In her video, which she posted on LinkedIn and Facebook, Leah invited anyone who was interested in getting to know each other better, helping each other’s businesses out or just touching base to connect via a 30-minute video chat. She set up a link to a calendar where you could choose a time. Once you did, you got an email invite for your meeting with a Zoom link. I thought this was brilliant and immediately signed up. At a time when we were all starting to feel the isolation of staying home alone, it was a welcome relief and a great way to connect.
Networking win: A month or so after we reconnected in her video chat, I was working with a group that was looking for someone to be a project manager on a major website overhaul. I asked Leah if she knew anyone and she connected me with the right person and they were hired to do the job.
Make Your Connections Your Connectors
In late April I got a text from another friend I met through social media association events. She wanted to know if I’d ever met this guy named Charlie whom she had worked with in the past. He’d been out of a job for awhile, had been working on his own like me and was looking for other opportunities. I didn’t know Charlie, but I trusted my friend when she said he was someone I should talk to. She connected us through LinkedIn and we set up a time to chat on the phone.
We talked and found we had a lot in common. I really got a good vibe from him and felt he might be a good fit for another agency I was helping launch. They didn’t have an immediate need for him, but I think it could be a good fit when the time comes. Turns out he already knew someone within that agency quite well. The connected and that only solidified his recommendation. It was a good reminder to put yourself out there and ask your connections who they think you should connect with. And then, of course, you need to follow through and do it.
Networking win: A few weeks later, Charlie needed someone to do some social media buys for a client he was working directly with. I was able to connect him with one of my connections who had done the same thing for some of my clients.
Other Ways to Connect
Those are just two examples I’ve seen work during this time of social distancing. There are others. For one thing, a number of the local networking groups, like Motor City Connect, Network After Work and Connecting Over Coffee have continued to have networking events virtually via Zoom or other video conferencing technologies. I’ve also been a part of some virtual happy hours with different groups, like Detroit’s Social Media OG’s and groups of friends I’ve made through different work environments over the years. It’s a good way to touch base and find out what else is going on out there.
There are also a lot of webinars, virtual conferences and online courses being offered. Take advantage of these. I know the Digital Summit is doing their annual conference online with virtual networking a part of their offering. I recently watched a webinar sponsored by SharpSpring that featured Gini Dietrich, whom I have connected with over the years. It created a chance to reconnect, both by saying hi in the webinar video chat and emailing each other afterwards. I probably wouldn’t have thought about reconnecting with her, if I hadn’t participated in the webinar.
Now, It’s Your Turn
Those are just some of the ways I’ve seen personally to network and create connections during this strange time we’re living in. But, I’m sure there are a lot of others that people have come up with. What new or different ways have you used or seen used to make connections? I’d love to hear from you. Hey, that would be us connecting!
Mike McClure, waiting to hear from you
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