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Growing Your Professional Network: Attending Webinars

7/31/2021

Network Building in the Beforetimes

Pre-pandemic, "networking" typically meant attending in-person events, shaking a few hands, and having a somewhat meaningful conversation with another human. While some of those in-person opportunities are intermittently available, large group events are more the exception than the norm. As with other lessons learned on adapting to remote work, the way we build our professional networks also has to adapt.

Enter the Webinar

Like many people, I have attended (and delivered) approximately a bijillion online meetings, trainings, and interactive instructor-led sessions over the last little bit. I've been approaching these sessions with a mind towards not just attending, but also making new connections. The process is different, but I realized that I've actually managed to connect with more people (and often form more meaningful connections), that I sometimes do working a room. As someone who runs introverted and communicates effectively in writing, this was an opportunity to turn webinars into a bonus network building exercise.

Finding Possible Connections

When attending a webinar where interaction was promoted, I made sure to participate. I also noted other attendees (sometimes taking screen shots of the participant pane) and what contributions each person made. After the session, I would use those details to follow up on those fledgling connections on LinkedIn.

Researching Potential Connections

After attending a webinar, here is my process for adding new LinkedIn connections:

Refer to the list of attendees at a webinar.
Search for each person on LinkedIn.
Skim their profile for things we might have in common or ways that we might be able to help one another. These might include our geographical location, people who know in common, their industry, their current role, if they are looking for work, and if they had any recent activity (posts, articles, or likes) on their account.
Decide whether or not to connect.

Key Components of a Connection Request

Personalizing connection requests is a great way to start building a relationship with a new professional contact.

Personalized greeting
Statements on what we have in common
Invitation to become part of one another's professional network
Optional: suggested next step
- Offer of job searching help
- Suggestion on something in particular to do
- Sharing additional information
- Phone call or virtual coffee meeting
Signature

Connection Request Examples

Here are a few examples of messages that you can use to invite people to connect. You have 300 characters total to use for personalizing connection requests.

Hi, Jen. I see we both attended today’s White Box Club meeting. I’m also in transition and seeking a new role in learning and development. Let's connect!

I'm also always up for a 30-minute "virtual coffee" meeting to discuss how we can help one another as we job search.

--Brenda

Hi, Jack. Great to interact with you a bit at this morning's Excellence Share. I love sharing ideas with fellow L&D professionals. Let's connect!

--Brenda

Hi, Javier. Welcome to the PACT organization! I know I personally appreciate everything I learn from this awesome group of people. Since you mentioned that you are job searching, be sure to check out The White Box Club on Meetup to help you as you find your next role.

Keep in touch!

--Brenda

After The Initial Connection

How do you further nurture that relationship? Here are a few ideas.

React to other people's posts.
Comment on other people's posts with your insights.
Share someone's post to your feed and @mention them to thank them for sharing the information.
Send a quick message to a connection sharing helpful information they will appreciate.
Congratulate people on their career milestones and successes.

What Do You Think?

What are your strategies for building your network online.

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