5 Outstanding Virtual Networking Tips to Build Professional Connections

Networking at events has never been easy, and when a screen is added, it almost feels impossible. As an event organizer, your duty is to bring people together and offer them the opportunity to get into a lasting conversation with fellow attendees. Virtual networking can be challenging without the right approach and tools. You can successfully eliminate the awkward networking moments in online events using the right online networking strategies and tools.

In this article, we have shared five outstanding virtual networking tips that are sure to get people talking. Before diving into the main topic, let's understand the concept of virtual event networking. 

What is virtual networking?

The term virtual networking event refers to an online gathering in which attendees interact, share experiences, and ideas to build strong and meaningful professional relationships through text messages, chats, video calls, and more such tools.

With the advent of online networking platforms and tools, it has become easier, less awkward, and more engaging.

Let us discover some amazing virtual networking tips to build strong professional relationships. 

Virtual networking tips to build professional connections

In the world of virtual networking, handshakes are replaced by keyboard or screen taps. Whether you’re a marketer, business owner, or job seeker, the ability to build strong professional connections online can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Here are some powerful tips to build strong connections in your upcoming events:

1. Choose the right virtual platform

Believe it or not, the success of your virtual networking event highly depends on the platform you choose. This is because it defines the overall event experience for your attendees. However, choosing the right platform can be difficult due to the overwhelming options available in the market.

Consider the following things before choosing a virtual event platform:

• Check if it allows direct messaging or breakout rooms.
• Determine if the platform is interactive.
• Ensure security.

Based on the above-mentioned criteria, we recommend WP Event Manager's virtual event add-on to simplify your networking journey. It is packed with useful features that help you create endless networking opportunities for your participants, such as creating interactive booths, sessions, scope to communicate with speakers, sharing feedback through emojis, and real-time networking updates.        

2. Encourage attendees to have standout profiles

When it comes to virtual networking, an attendee profile plays a major role in introducing them to others. That is why you must encourage your attendees to complete their networking profile and clearly describe their interests, professional background, etc.

Consider the following tips:

• Create clear guidelines for building an effective attendee networking profile.
• Motivate them to add their name, profession, interests, and other unique details.
• If your platform allows, let them add a profile avatar or their own picture to the profile.

Having a complete and unique profile helps attendees know each other well before starting a conversation.

3. Allow attendees to set clear goals

Make sure that your attendees have a clear goal for attending your virtual networking event. This will help them find meaningful connections in your event. So what can you do here?

Here are the things you can do to motivate them to state their goals clearly:

• You can create a form field in the registration form to know what type of connections they are looking for in your event.
• How many people they are interested in connecting with.
• What expectations do they have from your event.

You can also organize a pre-event session with your attendees to let them find their objectives.

4. Simplify follow-ups

Virtual networking is more than just allowing attendees to interact and build connections during the event. It also includes the future activities that happen after the event. As an organizer, you can make sure the attendees who build connections in your event keep in touch even after the event with regular follow-ups.

You can use automation tools like CRM tools etc to send regular follow-ups to attendees post events. It is better to seek attendees' permission to connect afterward.

5. Create an environment for interaction

For successful networking, you need to create a perfect ambiance. Make sure to add Q and A sessions, organize polls, adopt event gamification, a specific session to interact with speakers, and more such techniques.

To accelerate your event networking efforts, you can use the event matchmaking tool of WP Event Manager. The matchmaking feature is available in the Registration add-on in which all the attendee profiles are analyzed thoroughly and matches are recommended to each of them based on their interests, professional background, etc.

Now that you know about the strategies you need to follow to create networking opportunities online, it is time for us to discover the challenges that we need to overcome to maintain a smooth networking flow.  

Overcoming virtual networking challenges

•  Overcoming the fear of interacting 

For introverted individuals, virtual networking can be seriously uncomfortable and intimidating. Whether you are an event organizer or an attendee, you must prepare yourself to open up and meet the goals you have.

Practice and learn to break the ice and create moments to start a conversation and work on increasing your confidence level.

•  Managing technical issues 

Virtual events are mostly driven by technology and facing technical issues is common. To avoid it, you can stay prepared in advance by double checking your internet connection and the virtual networking platform you are going to use. Additionally, examine your audio and video settings. If required, keep extra microphones and speakers ready in case the ones you are using stop working midway. In short, make sure you have a backup plan ready for the event day.

•  Handling awkward situations 

Awkward or unexpected situations may arise in any type of event but how you handle it makes a difference. If you find yourself in such a situation during virtual networking, gracefully divert the conversation or simply put an end to it politely.

Wrapping up

We hope that the tips and tricks mentioned in this article will help you improve your online event networking journey. Besides the tips, use the WordPress tools we mentioned here to strengthen your efforts. Such tools include WP Event Manager's virtual and Registration addons that will speed up the process with accuracy.