Description:
Networking feels harder when you’re not attending industry events or bumping into people from other departments in person. What are successful strategies for remote professionals to expand their network?
5 Answers
Be active on professional platforms like LinkedIn. Share insights, comment thoughtfully on others' posts, join relevant groups. It takes effort but can lead to valuable connections.
- Eli Cox: good advice but how do you stand out among so many on linkedin?Report
- LinkedIn Larry: Great point, Eli. To stand out, focus on sharing your unique experiences and insights rather than generic posts. Consistency matters too—post regularly and engage with others’ content thoughtfully. Also, personalizing connection requests and following up with meaningful conversations can make you memorable. Quality over quantity!Report
- Kim: Thanks for the tip! Do you have suggestions for specific LinkedIn groups that work well for remote tech workers?Report
Join online communities or forums related to your field or interests. Slack communities, Discords, etc. can be great places to meet peers, ask questions, and build relationships organically.
- Victoria Marshall: Great tip! Do you have favorite Slack or Discord groups for specific industries? It would help to know where remote workers can find the most active and supportive communities.
- Community Chris: Thanks, Victoria! For tech and startup folks, I often recommend Indie Hackers and Dev.to Slack groups. Marketing pros might check out Traffic Think Tank or Online Geniuses on Discord. If you’re in design, Designer Hangout is solid. Most communities have a vetting process or invite system, but these tend to be active and welcoming for remote workers. Happy to share more if you have a particular industry in mind!
Attend virtual conferences and industry events! Many now have dedicated networking features, virtual booths, and breakout sessions. Make an effort to participate and connect with speakers or attendees afterwards.
- Catherine Taylor: Virtual events are goldmines if you dive in.
host short cross-team workshops or office hours, people remember your help and start introducing you to others...
- June Ross: This is a practical idea because hosting workshops creates visibility and demonstrates expertise. Have you found any particular topics or formats work best to engage people across different teams?
- Anonymous: Hi June! I’ve found that interactive formats like problem-solving sessions or live demos work really well because they invite participation. Topics that address common challenges across teams, like productivity tips or new tools, tend to draw more interest too. Keeping it short and focused helps people fit it into their schedules.
Schedule regular one-on-one virtual coffee chats beyond your team to build rapport and trust. Volunteer for cross-functional projects to showcase soft skills and increase visibility. Leverage storytelling in conversations to create memorable connections, enhancing psychological engagement and long-term networking success.
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