We're all about creating real connections, meaningful collaborations, and genuine growth.
Let's build relationships, share resources and create win-win results.
We are CONNECTED, diversity is our strength, and we are better together!
We're all about creating real connections, meaningful collaborations, and genuine growth.
Let's build relationships, share resources and create win-win results.
We are CONNECTED, diversity is our strength, and we are better together!
Let's build relationships, share resources and create win-win results.
We are CONNECTED, diversity is our strength, and we are better together!
In a world that is heavily divided, we bring people together with a purpose.
Our diverse and inclusive community is built on the philosophy of putting relationships first, knowing that business results naturally follow.
Join us in creating a space where every connection is valued, and a step towards personal and professional growth.
Create a fun and comfortable space for the business community to MEET, COLLABORATE, and GROW!
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The leader of a local chapter, responsible for overall management and growth.
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In charge of expanding the group through building relationships within the local community.
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Responsible for planning and executing networking events, including refreshments, welcome desk, photography, and videography
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Chapter Leader - CONNECTED Mastermind and NightOwl
Lisa Lofland and Lori Giffin
Chapter Leader - CONNECTED - West Columbus
Kayla Feagin
Chapter Leader - CONNECTED East Columbus
Mari Kay Dono
Chapter Leader - CONNECTED Upper Arlington
Stay informed and inspired with our blogs. Explore industry insights, success stories, networking tips, and more.
In today’s world, the landscape of networking has shifted dramatically. The days of relying solely on in-person events and traditional forms of networking are long gone. With the rise of social media platforms, virtual conferences, and digital communities, networking has evolved into a more dynamic and accessible process. Networking in the digital age opens up vast opportunities for professionals to build strong, meaningful connections with people from all corners of the world, regardless of geographical barriers.
However, while the digital world offers unparalleled convenience and reach, networking online also comes with its own set of challenges. Establishing trust, maintaining authenticity, and creating genuine relationships in a virtual space requires a different approach than traditional, face-to-face interactions. In this blog, we will explore the key aspects of networking in the digital age, the advantages and potential challenges it brings, and how you can effectively build and maintain strong connections in the online world.
The advent of the internet has forever transformed the way we communicate and build professional relationships. While in-person networking events, conferences, and business meetings remain valuable, the digital world has added new dimensions to networking, creating more opportunities for people to connect.
One of the most significant advantages of digital networking is its global reach. Professionals are no longer limited by geography. With platforms like LinkedIn, Zoom, and Twitter, you can connect with industry leaders, potential clients, and collaborators from around the world, all with a few clicks. This level of accessibility has leveled the playing field, allowing entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses to expand their networks far beyond their local communities.
In traditional networking, opportunities to meet people were often confined to specific events or business hours. In contrast, digital networking is available 24/7. You can engage with others on social media, participate in virtual conferences, and send messages through professional networking platforms at any time. This continuous availability allows professionals to make connections and build relationships at their own pace and convenience.
Networking in the digital age offers more ways to connect with people. From email to social media comments, direct messages, and virtual events, there are many channels through which you can engage with potential contacts. The ability to connect through different mediums provides more opportunities to build familiarity, establish trust, and deepen relationships.
When it comes to networking in the digital age, knowing where to focus your efforts is crucial. Different platforms serve different purposes, and understanding how to use each one effectively can help you maximize your networking success.
LinkedIn is the premier platform for professional networking. It allows users to showcase their expertise, share relevant industry content, and build connections with like-minded professionals. One of the key features of LinkedIn is its ability to facilitate relationship-building based on common professional interests, mutual connections, and shared industry goals.
A strong LinkedIn profile acts as your digital business card, allowing potential connections to see your qualifications, experience, and achievements. Engaging on LinkedIn through posts, comments, and direct messages is a great way to stay visible to your network and nurture relationships over time.
While Twitter is often seen as a platform for short-form content, it is also an excellent tool for professional networking. Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers frequently use Twitter to share insights, news, and engage in real-time conversations. By participating in these discussions, you can connect with people in your field and position yourself as a thought leader.
Twitter also offers networking opportunities through Twitter Chats, where users participate in scheduled discussions using a specific hashtag. These chats allow participants to interact with others in their industry and grow their network in a more focused, topic-specific manner.
The rise of virtual events and webinars has been one of the defining features of digital networking in recent years. From conferences and trade shows to online workshops and seminars, virtual events provide opportunities for professionals to meet, learn, and collaborate without needing to travel. Many virtual events offer networking tools such as breakout rooms, chat functions, and participant directories to help attendees connect with one another.
Engaging in virtual events also allows you to meet people who share your interests, and in some cases, the relationships you build can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, or mentorships.
While the digital world offers numerous opportunities for networking, it also presents unique challenges. Building authentic relationships and trust online requires intentionality, consistency, and patience. Here are some best practices for successfully networking in the digital age.
Authenticity is the foundation of successful digital networking. People are quick to sense when someone is being disingenuous, especially online. When reaching out to potential connections or engaging with others on social media, always be genuine in your intentions. Don’t approach digital networking with a transactional mindset. Instead, focus on building relationships and providing value to others.
This could mean offering helpful insights, sharing content that resonates with your network, or making introductions between people who might benefit from knowing each other. When you focus on creating meaningful relationships rather than solely trying to promote yourself, your network will grow organically, and people will be more willing to engage with you.
In the digital space, consistency is key. You can’t build strong relationships through one-off interactions. Regular engagement with your connections, whether through comments, messages, or sharing content, keeps you top of mind and shows that you’re invested in maintaining the relationship.
Set a schedule for regular digital engagement. This could involve dedicating time each week to comment on LinkedIn posts, participate in a Twitter chat, or attend virtual events. The more consistently you engage with others, the stronger your digital network will become.
One of the most important rules of networking digital or otherwise is to offer value before asking for anything in return. If your first interaction with someone is a request, it’s likely to fall flat. Instead, look for ways to provide value to the other person before asking for their time, resources, or help.
This could involve sharing helpful information, offering to make an introduction, or simply engaging with their content. By giving first, you establish trust and position yourself as a resource, making it more likely that the other person will be willing to help you in the future.
Building a strong digital network doesn’t end with sending a connection request or having a single conversation. Just like in traditional networking, follow-up is essential to maintaining relationships. After making a connection, send a personalized message to introduce yourself and express your interest in staying connected. Over time, follow up periodically to check in, share insights, or offer support.
By nurturing your digital connections over time, you’ll develop stronger relationships that can lead to future collaborations, opportunities, or partnerships.
Despite the many advantages of networking in the digital age, there are also challenges that come with building relationships online. Understanding these challenges and learning how to navigate them will help you succeed in your digital networking efforts.
In traditional networking, face-to-face interactions help to build trust more easily. Body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues play an important role in creating connections. In the digital space, these cues are often absent, making it harder to establish trust.
To overcome this, be consistent and transparent in your online interactions. Respond to messages in a timely manner, keep your commitments, and provide value to your network. Trust is built over time, and the more reliable and genuine you are in your online interactions, the more likely people are to trust you.
With so many digital platforms available, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of connections, messages, and content. To avoid digital overload, it’s important to focus your efforts on a few key platforms that align with your goals. Rather than trying to be everywhere, identify where your target audience or potential collaborators spend their time and focus your energy there.
Additionally, make sure to set boundaries for your digital networking efforts. Allocate specific time blocks for engaging with your network to avoid feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications and messages.
The digital world is crowded, with millions of professionals vying for attention. To stand out in a sea of connections, it’s important to have a clear personal brand and to communicate your value proposition effectively. Be intentional about the content you share, the conversations you engage in, and the way you present yourself online.
Your online presence should reflect your expertise, personality, and unique strengths. By crafting a consistent and authentic personal brand, you’ll make it easier for others to remember you and understand how you can add value to their network.
As you invest time and effort into building your digital network, it’s important to measure your success to ensure that your efforts are paying off. Here are a few ways to evaluate your progress in digital networking:
Look at how often people engage with your content. Are your posts generating likes, comments, and shares? Are people responding to your messages and interacting with you in virtual events? High levels of engagement are a sign that your digital networking efforts are resonating with others.
One of the best indicators of success in digital networking is the opportunities it generates. Are your connections leading to new collaborations, job offers, or business partnerships? If you’re seeing tangible outcomes from your network, you know that your efforts are paying off.
Success in networking isn’t just about the number of connections you have but the quality of those relationships. Do you have strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key individuals in your industry? Are people reaching out to you for advice, introductions, or opportunities? Building deep, meaningful relationships is the true measure of successful networking.
Networking in the digital age offers unparalleled opportunities for building strong professional relationships across the globe. By leveraging the power of digital platforms, engaging consistently, and focusing on providing value, you can create a network that opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations. However, building and maintaining meaningful relationships in a virtual space requires intentionality, authenticity, and consistent follow-up.
With the right strategies in place, you can thrive in the digital networking world, turning online interactions into lasting, impactful relationships that benefit your career or business.
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