When business comes to mind, people usually imagine professional relationships and negotiations based on networking. When it comes to networking in today’s society, things look a little different than just five years ago. Business trends and practices evolve, but in recent years the idea of collaboration and networking has become intertwined with the way we communicate online. At She Reigns Creative, we conduct almost all of our business remotely, so we’ve got some insider tips on how to network and communicate while working from home.
The Pandemic Forced Remote Communication
Everybody had to adjust the way that they communicated at the start of the pandemic. 4 people who were used to working in offices with co-workers and clients face to face, the most difficult part of this adjustment was not being able to communicate in those same ways. Because people were forced to work remotely, quarantined in their homes, and limit social interactions, it became more difficult to communicate. We started to use technology to our advantage every day and had to learn quickly to adapt to this new fast-paced environment.
Use Virtual Collaborative Spaces
The first step in effective communication is making sure that you have an open Forum to talk to your co-workers and clients. When you're working on projects from home, things can get confusing and people might lose track of where they're supposed to be working on tasks.
Using websites like Google Drive and apps like Slack are great ways to communicate openly with your colleagues to ensure that you're all collaborating and staying in the loop. These web-based programs make it easy for anybody to use no matter what device they're working from, as long as they have internet access. At She Reigns Creative, we love all of these programs and use them daily with our team!
Join LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn is one of the most well-known sites for professional networking. It acts as a social media platform that centers its content around professional business Affairs. People can become a part of your network on LinkedIn and you can start a conversation with people from around the world in different areas of the business to branch out and discover new improvements for your strategies. Since LinkedIn works similar to popular social media sites like Facebook, most people can easily navigate through the different features to find what benefits them. Some of the most amazing connections are made on LinkedIn!
Connect With Your Alma Mater
Even if you've been out of school for years, the resources from your alma mater will never dissipate. Colleges and universities often love to help their alumni find jobs in their field and they're usually thrilled to help make connections for you. Don't be afraid to reach out and start a conversation even if they may not have a direct opportunity for you. Looking for connections and conversations with people in your field makes the task of finding a lifelong career much easier because you are a part of a community of people who have similar goals and ambitions as you.
Attend Virtual Networking Events
Here at She Reigns Creative, we always share virtual seminars and networking events with each other. Sending links to these types of events to your friends or colleagues can create an influential online community of people who are interested in growing together. Developing your skills and networking abilities online can be a great opportunity since you can meticulously showcase your brand.
Putting your best foot forward on a Zoom conference or providing a branding packet for networking events can prove to leave a lasting impression on your new virtual peers. It also enables your team to grow and build morale if you attend these networking events together and present your brand as a solid group.
Changing your business communication practices might seem like a chore after you’ve gotten used to things being a certain way, but now in our changing world, it’s necessary to be able to adapt and learn the new ways of networking. If you can adopt some of these practices into your virtual lifestyle, you’ll be on your way to having a solid network of professionals to communicate with, in and out of the office.
Here at She Reigns Creative, we want to do everything we can to help you move forward in your business endeavors. We work daily to provide you with tools, tips, and guidance for looking, feeling, and being the best you can be in your business. Starting the conversation is FREE!
Book a call with us today and we'll show you what we can do for you and your business.