Remote work isn’t (and shouldn’t) go anywhere anytime soon but it does mean we need new muscles for building and nurturing connections with peers, mentors, and mentees. I’ve never been a fan of traditional networking events so I wasn’t sad to see those go. But I’ve learned I need a few guardrails to ensure I continue to form relationships.
After 10 years of remote work, here are my takeaways (including a number that I am far from mastering):
1. Use social networks but be authentic:
I was pretty late to get on this particular train but I believe LinkedIn is one of the best, if not the best, methods for connecting with other leaders and thinkers. X (f.k.a. Twitter) is also a great way to expand your network and mind. I’ve repeatedly seen how impactful thoughtful engagement on X can be but I can’t seem to get myself to engage in that way. I think this is the point though. Lean into the networks where you can show up authentically instead of showing up because you think you “should”.
2. Create and share content:
This one makes me the most squeamish but I’ve connected with many more people than I would have otherwise. Start a blog, make instructional videos, publish articles on LinkedIn. People want to hear what you have to say and many who want to dialogue on whatever it is you do say. Just as with social networks, authenticity is a requirement. Don’t be one of those people who share for the sake of sharing. That’s not interesting to me but the folks who are sharing their actual thoughts and insights, keep on braving that “publish” button.
3. Nurture your existing relationships:
You may not have as much face time with your existing network, but each personal outreach is worth the effort. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you could even write something on paper and mail it. When was the last time you received personal mail instead of a bill or an advertisement or notice of some sort? No matter your method, people have an intrinsic need to feel seen and valued. Something as simple as a check-in to see how someone is doing can go a very long way.
4. Attend virtual events:
Over the years, we have hosted many live webinars and it always amazes me how engaged and proactive our participants are. We have watched the chats real-time as relationships form and problems get solved. If your particular role can feel isolated, these sorts of events and connections can be especially impactful. Businesses typically host webinars as a means of business development, which I think makes a ton of sense as long as the topic, host, and content are primarily there to add value to their ideal buyers’ lives. But no matter the reason, attend those webinars that interest you and chances are you’ll meet others who mirror your interests and desire to connect.
5. Personalized outreach:
I’ve found that in general people like speaking with other interesting people. Perhaps you’ve connected with someone on LinkedIn and liked or commented on their posts. A great next step could be to reach out personally to share your feedback and suggest a brief virtual coffee chat. A word to the wise here – make sure you know what value you bring to the conversation. It’s easy to ask someone to “pick their brain” but meaningful connection needs to go both ways. Even if you’re primarily looking for advice or help, your thoughts and feedback on their work can still be of value.
6. Be consistent and patient:
Building connection is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency in engagement and patience in building relationships are key. Remember that networking is a two-way street; always think about how you can add value to your connections, whether it’s sharing an interesting article or offering help in your area of expertise.
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It can feel overwhelming to put yourself out there on the interwebs but this is the world we live in and it’s worth the time and energy.
Embrace the remote world, be proactive, and most importantly, be genuine. You never know where it may lead you but you can be pretty sure it’ll be a more interesting place than where you started.
