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Colorado State University Global
Blog
As the old saying goes: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Obviously, that’s not entirely true – it’s important to develop your skills for the career you want – but we can’t deny the importance of networking.
When in-person events aren’t an option, virtual networking events can be a great alternative. Virtual networking allows alumni from all over the world, or employees of a company with multiple branches to connect in real time. Regardless of distance, here’s how to make new connections anywhere, any time.
Virtual events need to have goals and a set agenda. For example, an in-person networking event can attract attendees on the promise of networking alone, but a virtual one will need a value proposition to entice people. This may come in the form of a content offer, sharing expertise, or other presentation feature.
And manage your expectations. A virtual engagement simply can’t compete with real-life interaction. If you want to follow up with leads or the people you meet, you’ll need to do so quickly after the event, typically via email or LinkedIn.
Remember to put yourself in your attendees’ shoes, and consider what their experience will be like. Plan for breaks, as well as a method of submitting questions and answers.
A few more things to consider:
Not all of your attendees will have the same level of technical know-how, so make sure to offer clear instructions for how to register, how to join, what kind of device they’ll need, and the means to test their device and connection before the event. Consider writing a guide or recording an instructional video and distributing it well before the event so that you won’t be overwhelmed with day-of questions.
If your event is focused on networking, be sure to have guests submit their names, work emails, and job titles so that they can get in touch during and after the event. Also, within 24 hours of the end of the event, send your participants an email thanking them for attending.
You can include other items, such as:
Just remember, the event isn’t over when the web connection ends. A virtual networking event is a great way to make new connections, broaden your network, and meet new and interesting people. Make the most of it!