BUILDING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS AND NETWORK USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Grow and Achieve Your Goals on Social Media Through Connections

Networking is an important part of human relations that we cannot neglect. From helping you meet the right people who could one day help you scale your career, to connecting with fans and potential customers, networking serves as a means for putting you in front of the right people. 

We as humans value connections and are more likely to side with the party that we are more familiar with. This trait could come in handy when looking for investors, job opportunities or even customers for your business. 

Tips to Help You Network Online 

1. Set Up Your Profile

Set up your social media profile in a way that fits your job description. Who you are and what you do are questions that should be answered in your bio. This is important because, when you reach out to someone to network, the first thing most people do is check your page. And your bio is one of the things that help them gauge what kind of person you are and if and how they should respond to you.  

2. Be Active on Groups and Community Pages 

Groups help you meet lots of different people in the same industry as you. Thanks to the power of social media, you can find movers and shakers alongside interns/newbies in the same online discussion room. Take advantage of this opportunity. Let your presence be felt. Answer questions when you can and ask questions when you need it. This will make more people notice you and reach out to you. 

When I was a bit younger, I had a friend that was good at impressing people. One time, when we had a visiting pastor, he decided to out do himself.

He would come to meetings earlier than the rest, help set up chairs and tables, buy food for the pastor, comment and ask questions in his class etc. Even though he was only doing that for "eye service", the reward came in bulk. He soon became the pastor's favorite. When the other members of the group needed something from the pastor, they sent him. Even when the older members of the group went on a trip with the pastor, he went with them even though he was way younger than the required age. He asked the pastor to be his guardian on the trip and the pastor agreed. We were all so jealous of him that day.

Moral of the story is; show yourself!

3. Do Not Send Long Introductory Messages

Long messages have the lowest opening and reply rates. Most people (including me) will not read a message that looks like an entire novel. Make your message as short and as simple as possible. Ditch any overly professional tone, but do not forget to give due respect. It also helps to mention something about them you like, and something you both have in common. Something like a common friend, common alma mater, common hobby etc. If you want to connect online, ask for their help or advice on something. If you want to connect offline, offer to buy them lunch or coffee while you discuss a subject that you both are interested in.

4. Don't Only Try to Network with High Network Individuals

High network individuals are the CEOs, VPs, organisation heads, etc. These are the leaders in your industry. It is very common to see people trying to get the attention of these people, forgetting that they also have colleagues in the same industry. Make friends around your job level too so that you all can grow together, learn together, and share relatable advice and experiences with each other.

5. Have a Help First Mentality 

Lastly, help people out. This is mostly useful when networking with potential customers. Don't be too eager to sell. Instead, focus on helping them. This will make them more endeared to you and trust your judgment more. Pushing to close sales first especially when you first meet a person could make you come off as desperate and selfish. 

Try out these tips to help you network better and build stronger strategic relationships that will prove useful when needed.

Learnt something new? I'll like to know. See you next week!