Building your network while working remotely – Tips to broaden your professional connections online

Nearly two years after the beginning of the pandemic, some of us are still working from home. While companies are starting to slowly open their offices once again, remote working is still how some of us, including yours truly, are spending our weekdays. However, even though social distancing has not come to an end, our lives are still going on. And that means, you still need to rely on your professional network. So how do you go about building your network while working remotely?

Be certain about what you have to offer

Every relationship is about give and take. You cannot build a strong network, if you are receiving all the time without giving back. Before you approach anyone, take the time to determine what you have to offer a colleague. And then approach them if there is a way for you to help them. Don’t expect anything in return. Simply concentrate on being a good companion, without trying to obtain something from the person you are approaching.

That sincerity will help you to create a firm foundation for a strong business relationship.

Join LinkedIn – the best way to building your network while working remotely

BY 2020, LinkedIn had 690 million annual users. LinkedIn has been the perfect tool to build professional connections for years. Using the site, you can connect with your industry peers from other companies. You can even look up people who you are interested in introducing yourself to on a professional basis.

While the premium services, do offer a lot, you can achieve a lot even with the free LinkedIn services. Now that most of us are stuck at home, the social media platform is even more useful in making connections.

Learning new skills and knowledge relevant to your field

Learning does not stop once we stop being students. Even professionals can always add something new to their knowledge. Some companies even offer financial assistance as well as time-off in order to encourage their employees to continue their education.

And these classes, whether you participate online or at an actual lecture, can also help in building your network while working remotely. The peers you meet can one day be your colleagues. The new knowledge and skill sets you develop will also help you to further your career.

Using your interests to build your professional network while working from home

Common interests are a great way to break the ice and make connections. So, how can you use your interests to build your professional network when you are working from home?

The easiest way is to join an online community. There are so many groups on socia media for just about any hobby you may have. Chances are, you will come across other professionals who can be a great companion.

Be sure you know who you are contacting and why

If you go online, you can find any number of professionals. But that doesn’t mean that all of them fit your professional network. So before you approach someone to create a business relationship, do some research. Unlike a casual ‘friend request’, you are hoping to build and strengthen the connections you have in the professional world. There is no need to waste both your and another person’s time if both of you do not benefit from making a connection.

Expect and accept rejections

It is easier to reject someone’s efforts to approach you online than if you were to do it personally. And the person you are approaching might not wish for a connection with you. Don’t take it personally. Simply accept that graciously and let it go. Building your network is difficult enough when you are working remotely. There is no need to react strongly to a rejected request and damage your image a well.

Be direct about what you want

Using social media to build your professional network ir different from when you use these platforms personally. While small talk and invitations to hang out are ok with the latter, for the former, it is better to be clear and direct about what you want. You may want more information about the organisation the othe person works for. Or they may have a certain skill set you are interested in learning. Whatever the case, have some points you would like to discuss and introduced them early.