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It wasn’t all that long ago when networking events consisted of looking at colleagues square in the eyes and shaking their hands. Today, coworkers are spread across the globe, remotely working together from individual home offices. But lack of physical proximity doesn’t have to mean we forego valuable networking events. Instead, virtual networking has emerged as a leading trend among businesses, small and large.<\/p>\n
What is virtual networking? Virtual networking occurs when colleagues, associates, and coworkers communicate from remote locations via virtual event tech, including your choice of video conferencing platform. Virtual networking events can occur through traditional video conference meetings or a host of other types of unique virtual networking events.<\/p>\n
There are a variety of reasons why more small businesses are jumping aboard the virtual networking bandwagon. Hosting virtual networking events for your teams and colleagues provides the following benefits:<\/p>\n
It can take a lot of work to host a virtual networking event, so planning and finding out all you can about how to host a virtual event<\/a> is key. The following tips will help you plan a successful virtual networking event in the days before the event:<\/p>\n What do you want to accomplish during your virtual networking event? Be sure and determine your goals for the virtual event before determining guests, speakers or activities.<\/p>\n Who will you invite to the virtual networking event? Be sure to choose an appropriate number of guests for your planned activities and include speakers and other participants who will help meet your goals.<\/p>\n Be sure and give your guests plenty of advanced notice of the virtual networking event. By sending a calendar invite, you can announce and promote the event, while providing attendees a convenient reminder of the important date.<\/p>\n While including attendees from different locations is a benefit of virtual networking events, hosting guests from multiple locations can complicate schedules when drastic time differences are involved. When scheduling your virtual networking event, be sure to consider some attendees might be in a certain timezone while other attendees might be on schedule hours apart.<\/p>\n What video conferencing tools or virtual event platforms<\/a> will you use to host your virtual networking event? Popular platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are available to host and attend virtual events. Be sure to choose tools that will promote the goals for your event, and be sure the platform is accessible to all attendees.<\/p>\n Even if you’ve already filled your guest list, it’s important to market your virtual event. Promoting the virtual networking event through email, social media, and even a website helps begin to engage guests with your content and one another, and it generates excitement for what’s to come.<\/p>\n So, you’ve carefully planned and prepped for successful virtual networking events. Now what? On the big day, be sure to consider the following tips during the virtual event:<\/p>\n To boost audience engagement, it’s important that guests are comfortable with speakers and with one another. Start your virtual event with introductions and make sure everyone knows whom they will be networking with. An icebreaker can do wonders to get the networking ball rolling.<\/p>\n You still can host a successful networking event even if your group is too large for everyone to greet. Utilize breakout sessions to network among a small group. Designate breakout rooms within your video conference session to promote more individual engagement.<\/p>\n It is beneficial to engage in meaningful conversations within a virtual world. Instead of having a virtual event dominated by chaotic chatter, promote structured discussions that align with your event’s objectives. Propose strategic topics, and, if feasible, guide the group through its conversations.<\/p>\n Be sure and monitor the time during your virtual event. If you’ve promoted a 90-minute virtual networking event, be sure and stick with that timeframe even if everyone is still engaged in a positive disucssion after 88 minutes. Plan to end your virtual event on a strong note, and issue a call to action that incorporates your goals for the event.<\/p>\n The recipe for a virtual event’s success doesn’t end when the networking concludes. Just as you would place a follow-up sales call following an important pitch, you want to check in with your attendees following the virtual networking session. So, make sure to follow these business networking tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n Be sure to maximize engagement with your guests following your virtual networking event by emailing words of gratitude to participants and attendees. Let them know their attendance was appreciated, and get them excited for the next virtual event.<\/p>\n No matter how smoothly you run your virtual event, there is always room for improvement. Be sure and ask your attendees for their valuable feedback following the networking event. When possible, apply these suggestions to future virtual events.<\/p>\n It’s never too early to start promoting your next virtual networking events. When thanking your guests and asking for their feedback, be sure and start generating excitement for future events, whether it’s more virtual networking or a live event.<\/p>\n Hoping to build relationships with colleagues during a virtual networking event, but unsure what type of event to host? Your team can spend time networking and having fun in a variety of ways, including the following virtual event ideas<\/a>:<\/p>\n Breakout rooms are designed to divide larger audiences into smaller groups, facilitating better engagement among participants at networking events. Many video conferencing platforms offer the option for groups to split into breakout rooms before reconvening for the main event.<\/p>\n Speed networking enables participants to establish numerous connections with colleagues and potential clients quickly. Large groups are divided into breakout rooms, where they meet for just a few minutes before the groups are reorganized and the virtual networking resumes.<\/p>\n Groups can participate in virtual happy hours by sharing a mocktail or cocktail recipe in advance. Then, during the virtual networking event, attendees can enjoy their own beverage from the comfort and safety of their homes and offices.<\/p>\n Audiences have the opportunity to engage with a panel of speakers during a Q&A session. Rather than having every attendee interact with one another, virtual event participants can focus on learning more about a select group of speakers. Encouraging audiences to ask questions fosters individual engagement effectively.<\/p>\n Much like a Q&A session can introduce an audience to a small group of speakers, a moderated discussion is a great way to network among groups of like minded individuals. Topics can be posed by the session moderator or the event host, and discussion can be structured to support the goals of the event.<\/p>\n You can participate in a book club without meeting your colleagues in person. If you have a group of book enthusiasts, select titles for everyone to read and discuss during virtual networking events.<\/p>\n Much like a virtual happy hour, wine tastings can take place remotely. Attendees can choose their own wines to enjoy during a video conference, or the group can determine which flavors it will try together.<\/p>\n Even traditional dinner parties can now take place as virtual events. Rather than having colleagues gather and dine together in person, the organization can arrange for meals to be delivered to each home office before the virtual event… or it can offer gift cards to guests, allowing them to prepare their own feasts to enjoy through a video app.<\/p>\n Image: Depositphotos<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n This article, “How to Stand Out in Virtual Networking: Essential Tips for Success<\/a>” was first published on Small Business Trends<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It wasn’t all that long ago when networking events consisted of looking at colleagues square in the eyes and shaking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1122"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1123,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1122\/revisions\/1123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/doublebmonograms.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Set Goals<\/h3>\n
Select Guests<\/h3>\n
Send a Calendar Invite<\/h3>\n
Be Aware of Time Differences<\/h3>\n
Choose Your Tools<\/h3>\n
Promote Your Virtual Event<\/h3>\n
Tips for During the Virtual Event<\/h2>\n
Start with Introductions<\/h3>\n
Utilize Breakout Sessions<\/h3>\n
Encourage Structured Conversation<\/h3>\n
End Strong and On Time<\/h3>\n
Tips for After Virtual Networking Events<\/h2>\n
Send Thanks<\/h3>\n
Ask for Feedback<\/h3>\n
Promote Future Events<\/h3>\n
Virtual Networking Event Ideas<\/h2>\n
Breakout Rooms<\/h3>\n
Speed Networking<\/h3>\n
Virtual Happy Hour<\/h3>\n
Q&A<\/h3>\n
Moderated Discussions<\/h3>\n
Book Clubs<\/h3>\n
Wine Tasting<\/h3>\n
Dinner Parties<\/h3>\n