3 tips for successful networking at virtual and hybrid events

Most global development professionals have gotten accustomed to attending industry events and conferences from the comfort of their home offices, local cafes, or wherever one can tap into an internet connection. This virtual aspect of industry gatherings remains integral well over two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the hybrid nature of last month’s Devex World 2022 in Washington, D.C., illustrated. Those who could not attend in person joined from their computers or phones, just as many other sector events, both big and small, remain strictly virtual. In terms of networking, connections that would have typically happened over coffee or a cocktail during an in-person event have shifted to social media platforms like LinkedIn post event. For many, this has made networking easier and more accessible. “I really think LinkedIn helps democratize some of our networking and our outreach because we can see at a glance the experiences that people have had and we’re able to pull that out, in a way, that you really can't do at an in-person event,” Jennifer Bangoura, the director of career innovation at Nexford University, told me in a discussion on virtual networking at Devex World. Bangoura shared several tips on how one can make the most out of the connections made during virtual and hybrid events. Here are some things to consider before you attend your next digital gathering. Take advantage of the common ground When attempting to make a new professional connection in any setting, it always helps to have something in common. If you’ve both attended the same virtual event, this commonality is baked in. “When you go to reach out to somebody on LinkedIn, I always recommend personalizing your connection,” Bangoura said, adding that “you want to signal to the other person how you have something in common.” Name-checking the event or a specific session is enough to give your initial LinkedIn connection request some weight, but you can strengthen it further by identifying other things you may have in common, even if they’re not directly tied to the professional realm. “Take a moment to scan through their experience [on LinkedIn],” Bangoura said. You can ask yourself questions like: “Did they go to the same college as you? Did they travel to the same place as you? Have they been to the country where you live?” she added. Front-load your prep work Much of the groundwork that will help you target the right attendees can and should be done in advance, Bangoura said. You’ll often have access to the names — and in some cases, email addresses — of speakers and partner organizations well in advance of the event date. By researching the people who are most relevant to your professional goals, you’ll know which sessions to pay attention to and you can avoid what Bangoura calls the “spray and pray mentality” that many job seekers apply to virtual networking — sending emails or social media connection requests in bulk and with a lack of focus in the hope that something sticks. If the digital event provides live engagement options like instant messaging, preparing in advance will allow you to reach out on the spot rather than scrambling for background information. This requires time and energy, Bangoura said, but “ultimately it'll be worth it because you can build a stronger connection when you really take the time to find out how you and somebody else have something in common and to build that foundation of your relationship just like you would in person.” Follow up with meaningful engagement Beyond personalizing your initial messages, much can be gained by simply following those you are interested in connecting with on social media and seeking out ways to engage with their posts. “I think people will be surprised how over time — and really when I say time, I mean a month, two months, three months, it's pretty short — if you are liking and commenting on people's posts, those folks are going to recognize that,” Bangoura said. Even for events that you have registered for and are ultimately unable to attend, you can still use the event as a way to break the ice when engaging with social media posts. “You can comment and say, [I] wish I could have been there, [but I’m] looking forward to following your work here,” Bangoura said.