Networking In A Virtual World

You don’t need to attend awkward networking events to build connections. Here are 10 ways to network online (from your couch) to land your dream job, mentorship or just to stay in touch: 1. Start with warm calls, not cold DMs Reaching out to strangers is intimidating. So, begin with people you already admire or respect: past colleagues, old classmates, mentors, or anyone you’ve gotten value from. Reach out, share your goals, ask for advice, or simply reconnect. — 2. Build (or join) a 3-6 person mastermind Invite people you admire to check in monthly or quarterly. Ask 3 simple questions in each meeting: • What’s your biggest win? • What’s your biggest challenge? • How can we help each other? This becomes your personal board of advisors, and their networks become yours, too. — 3. Make intros within your own network Instead of always trying to add new people, try connecting two people you already know. It builds goodwill, and often sparks reciprocity. Some of my best opportunities came from introductions I made first. — 4. Be the tortoise, not the hare Strong networks aren’t built in a week. They come from consistency, trust, and staying top of mind. Check in. Celebrate small wins. Be helpful, even without asking for anything.  — 5. Send snail mail Want to stand out in a sea of LinkedIn messages? Send a handwritten card or even a fun comic with a note. The person will always remember your “extra” effort. — 6. Elevate the interaction • Only chatted with someone online? Try a call. • Had a few calls? Try a Zoom meeting. • Know them over Zoom? Meet up in person. Each upgrade strengthens the connection. — 7. Pick one platform to dominate Instead of being everywhere, go deep somewhere. For example, if it’s LinkedIn: • Endorse people • Write thoughtful comments • Share niche insights your network actually values   This depth pays off more than shallow visibility. — 8. Curate, don’t just connect Curate the best insights, tools, or articles in your niche, and share them regularly. You’ll become a trusted source people keep coming back or referring to. — 9. Do something fun together Shared activities build bonds. This could be as simple as playing a game, joining a sweepstakes, or co-hosting a webinar.  People remember who made them feel something. — 10. Swipe right (yes, really) Apps like Shapr or Invitly are designed for warm outreach — you match with people who want to meet others. It’s cold networking without the awkwardness. Networking isn’t about pitching. It’s about planting seeds. Start with one person. Reach out. Reconnect.  Then keep showing up, helping others, and making connections that count.

Most professionals I meet tell me the same thing: “I’m on LinkedIn… but I’m not getting opportunities.” The truth? LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for scrolling, it’s your career accelerator if you use it strategically. I’ve helped hundreds of professionals transform their LinkedIn presence, and here’s what actually works: 1. Profile Optimization is Non-Negotiable Your headline must show your value proposition. Your “About” section should tell your career story. Your experience should highlight achievements, not just responsibilities. And yes, add a professional photo (it increases views by 14x). 2. Content Strategy Matters Post 2–3 times per week. Share: ✔ Industry insights ✔ Career wins ✔ Lessons learned Key rule: 80% value-driven content, 20% personal branding. And don’t wait for people to engage with you—comment on their posts first. 3. Strategic Connection Building Don’t connect with everyone. Be intentional. Target professionals in your desired role or industry. Send personalized connection requests. And always follow up within 24 hours when someone accepts. 4. Engagement is Everything Spend 20 minutes a day engaging. But make it meaningful, “Great post” won’t cut it. Add thoughtful, valuable comments to conversations. Pro Tips I give my clients: → Join 3–5 relevant industry groups → Follow and engage with company pages you admire → Use LinkedIn search filters to find decision-makers → Share wins, but always include what you learned → Post during peak engagement (Tue–Thu, 8–10 AM) The winning formula? Consistency. I’ve seen careers transform in just 90 days when people follow this systematically. Remember: LinkedIn isn’t a sprint or a marathon. It’s about showing up daily and consistently adding value. P.S. If you want more updated insights, proven strategies, and step-by-step frameworks to grow your visibility.  👉 Join my Career Spotlight Group. 📌 Join here - https://lnkd.in/gB22r3_b

🚀 Don’t wait for job postings to apply! 🚀 Many of the best job opportunities are never posted on LinkedIn—they’re filled through internal networks and referrals. So how can you position yourself to hear about these roles before they’re advertised? Here’s how to build a network of allies at your target companies and get ahead of the competition: 1️⃣ Identify Key Players Start by researching people at your target companies who work in roles or departments you’re interested in. These could be managers, team leads, or even peers who could eventually refer you. 👉 Example: If you’re targeting a marketing role at a tech company, find key people on LinkedIn by searching for titles like “Marketing Manager,” “Head of Digital Strategy,” or “VP of Marketing” at that company. 2️⃣ Engage with Their Content Regularly Before reaching out, engage with their posts on LinkedIn. Like, comment, or share their updates with meaningful insights. This helps you get on their radar in a non-intrusive way and shows that you’re genuinely interested in their work. 👉 Example: “Great post, [Name]! Your thoughts on data-driven marketing really resonate with me. I’ve been working on similar projects and would love to hear more about your approach.” This kind of engagement opens the door for future conversations. 3️⃣ Reach Out for an Informational Interview Once you’ve built some familiarity, send a personalized message requesting a short chat. This isn’t about asking for a job—it's about learning more about their experience and the company culture. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I’ve been following [Company] for a while, and your work in [specific area] caught my attention. I’d love to hear more about your journey and what it’s like working at [Company]. Would you have 15 minutes for a quick virtual coffee?” Building relationships through these conversations will keep you top of mind when new roles open up. 4️⃣ Stay Connected and Add Value Keep in touch with the people in your network by sharing relevant articles, offering your help, or simply sending an occasional check-in message. This keeps your connection warm and maintains the relationship. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I recently came across an article on [industry trend] and thought you might find it interesting based on our previous conversation. Hope all is well!” By adding value to the relationship, you’ll increase the chances of being referred or hearing about opportunities before they’re posted. 💡 Final Tip: Remember, networking is about relationships, not just job leads. By investing in connections with key people at your target companies, you’ll be positioned to hear about hidden opportunities and make a lasting impression before the job even hits the market. Have you ever landed a job through networking? Share your story below! 💬👇 #Networking #JobSearch #HiddenOpportunities #LinkedInTips #CareerGrowth #Referrals

Your colleagues are not your friends. Do your job. Get paid. Go home. I completely agree with this… If you want work to be a place of cold isolation that may eventually impact your wellbeing and productivity. Some of my oldest friends today, are people I worked with, from bosses to peers and even external collaborators (vendors & suppliers). And they made work better, happier, more engaging and satisfying for me. Humans by nature are communal creatures; we need to connect with others, feel part of the group. If you think about it, all the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are essentially about human connection; physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualisation all require human connection with others. In the past it was easier to create friendships at work because you saw people and interacted with them daily. Today, with remote and hybrid work, it’s a little harder but still doable. Here are some tips on building relationships with colleagues even when you rarely see them physically: 📌 Make the Effort: If you want to build relationships at work, you have to be intentional about it; reach out, communicate, interact, participate. 📌 Offer Value & Build Trust: As selfish as this may sound, people gravitate towards those who add value to their lives. And since value is subjective, start by being generally optimistic, positive, friendly and willing to be helpful. Make sure to follow through on promises. Consistency and reliability are important for building trust 📌 Use the Tech: Most of today’s workplace interactions happen with the use of technology; emails, instant messaging, video conferencing, etc. Use them. Don’t wait for a time when you can interact physically. 📌 Communicate Effectively: Because it’s harder to connect virtually than physically for most people, you’ve got to communicate more often and leave no room for ambiguity as virtual communication can be open to interpretation (and misinterpretation). 📌 Virtual Socials: Don’t limit workplace interactions to work stuff. Share personal interests and hobbies to find mutual interests you can bond over. I love the idea of a pyjama coffee meeting or virtual lunches with colleagues. Who doesn’t relax while drinking a beverage? Or in PJs? 📌 Celebrate Colleagues: Celebrate your colleagues’ achievements or milestones, professional and personal. Even small gestures of recognition go a long way in relationship-building. Building relationships in a remote work environment requires being proactive, patient, and empathetic. By actively engaging with your colleagues using remote tools, and finding ways to connect beyond work stuff, you can create strong and lasting professional relationships, even when you rarely meet in person. Do you believe in work-friends? How do you build and maintain friendships with remote colleagues? #LinkedInNewsEurope

LinkedIn helped me teach 65,000 leaders across 20+ cities. Here's how. It’s all about using the right strategies to turn connections into opportunities When I started using LinkedIn, I found it was more than just a networking site. It became my go-to place to meet mentors and peers who inspire me every day. At first, I didn’t know how to reach big companies, especially in other countries. It felt like a huge challenge. LinkedIn turned out to be my secret weapon. By sharing useful insights and being genuine, I caught the attention of big companies across Asia. This approach helped me connect with Fortune 500 companies and teach over 65,000 leaders in 9 countries, proving that you can make a big impact with the right strategy. LinkedIn is a tool that anyone can use to grow. Here’s how you can make it work for you: ✅ Spend Time Wisely → Focus on creating posts that not only inform but also engage your audience. → Think about what challenges your audience faces and how you can help solve them. ✅ Make Real Connections → Don’t just connect for the sake of numbers. → Reach out with meaningful messages that show genuine interest and align with shared goals or values. ✅ Be the "Best Product of YOU" → Authenticity is key. → Share stories and experiences that reflect who you are and what you stand for. This builds trust and credibility. ✅ Join the Conversations → Participate actively in industry discussions and even, offline events (judiciously) → Comment on posts, ask questions, and share your perspective to become part of a community. ✅ It's the Long Game → Consistency is crucial. For as long as you're in business, you should be on this platform. → Regularly update your network with relevant information and insights to keep them engaged and informed. ✅ Study the Insights → Use LinkedIn features to gather insights into what content resonates most. → Adjust your approach based on feedback to better meet your audience’s needs. Think of LinkedIn as your ticket to growing your professional book of business. Ready to take the next step in your LinkedIn journey? Start by reaching out to someone new today or share a piece of advice that helped you. See where these new connections can take you. P.s. ✍🏻 I am Benjamin Loh, CSP, a strategic growth coach and consult ant who has taught over 65,000 leaders in over 20 global cities and constructed some of the leading icons (TOT, Award Winners) in the financial industry in Asia through the power of authentic storytelling and authority building. 💪 Follow me for personal brand and growth insights. #topofmind #millennials #business

One of the biggest missed opportunities I see for member-based organisations and professional associations? Using LinkedIn like a noticeboard keeping it filled with event reminders, internal news, and media releases. The real value lies in the intersection of where your members and your organisation show up together. Your members are already out there: speaking at conferences, leading change, mentoring others. They’re growing their networks and shaping ideas. But often, that’s happening separately from their involvement with your association. That’s the opportunity. When members are supported to show up as professionals and as contributors to your organisation, everyone benefits. ✔️ Members grow their visibility and credibility without needing to become ‘content creators’ ✔️ Your organisation gains reach and trust through respected voices ✔️ Your brand becomes a living, visible community - not just a logo or LinkedIn Page So how do you bring that intersection to life? 1️⃣ Share LinkedIn guidelines – give members clarity and confidence. Many professionals are open to being active online, but they hesitate because they’re unsure what’s appropriate. They don’t want to misrepresent the organisation or overstep. A simple, practical set of LinkedIn guidelines can remove that uncertainty. 2️⃣ Encourage profile alignment – show them how to reflect their involvement. Member profiles are often a missed opportunity. Even the most engaged professionals may leave their connection to the association off their headline or experience section not because they’re not proud, but because they’re unsure how it fits. Encourage members to update their profiles to include their roles whether it’s a board position, committee membership, or even long-term involvement. Give them examples of how to phrase it. 3️⃣ Shine a light on members – celebrate achievements, share stories Recognition matters. When members are featured by their association, it affirms their work and signals to others that the organisation values its people. 4️⃣ Provide shareable content – make it easy for them to engage Some members might struggle to create original content regularly. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to participate. Make it easy to re-share or comment. A member is far more likely to amplify something if it reflects both their values and their expertise. 5️⃣ Run a digital confidence session – help them show up, their way. Confidence is often the missing piece. Many professionals worry about being “too promotional” or “saying the wrong thing.” . A digital confidence session is a practical way to support them. LinkedIn can be the place where your members grow their reputation. It’s where your organisation becomes known through trusted voices. And it’s where together, you shape the future of your industry not just behind closed doors, but in full view of the professionals you’re trying to reach. #linkedin

Mastering the Art of Networking on LinkedIn: Here's how you can harness the power of LinkedIn to expand your professional network: 1. Optimize Your Profile for Maximum Impact: - Profile Picture: Choose a professional headshot with a clear, friendly expression. - Headline: Craft a compelling headline that encapsulates your professional identity and aspirations. - Summary: Write a detailed summary highlighting your expertise, achievements, and career goals. Use keywords relevant to your industry for better visibility. - Experience and Skills: Regularly update your experience section and list key skills to attract the right connections. 2. Engage Authentically and Regularly: - Content Engagement: Actively engage with your feed by liking, commenting, and sharing posts. Thoughtful comments can spark meaningful conversations and enhance your visibility. - Posting Frequency: Aim to post at least once a week. Share industry insights, personal achievements, or articles that add value to your network. 3. Create and Share Valuable Content: - Articles and Posts: Share your expertise through articles or insightful posts. Use storytelling to make your content relatable and engaging - Multimedia: Incorporate images, videos, or infographics to make your content visually appealing and more likely to be shared 4. Personalize Your Connection Requests: - Custom Messages: Always include a personalized message when sending connection requests. Mention a shared experience, mutual connection, or specific interest in their work - Follow-Up: If someone accepts your request, send a follow-up message thanking them and suggesting a way to collaborate or engage further 5. Leverage LinkedIn Groups and Communities: - Active Participation: Join groups related to your industry or interests and actively participate in discussions. This can help you establish credibility and connect with like-minded professionals - Starting Discussions: Initiate conversations by posting questions or sharing insights. This can increase your visibility and attract new connections 6. Utilize LinkedIn's Advanced Features: - 'Find Nearby' Feature: Use this feature at conferences or networking events to connect with professionals in your vicinity - LinkedIn Learning: Enhance your skills and showcase your commitment to professional development by completing courses on LinkedIn Learning 7. Foster Meaningful Relationships: - Virtual Coffee Chats: Regularly schedule brief virtual meetings with your connections to discuss industry trends, share advice, or explore collaboration opportunities - Recommendations and Endorsements: Request recommendations from colleagues or clients and offer to reciprocate. Endorse the skills of your connections to strengthen your relationships 8. Consistency is Key: - Regular Updates: Keep your profile updated with any new skills, experiences, or accomplishments - Engagement: Consistently engage with your network to maintain visibility and relevance #linkedin #networking

My work is done here… 🙄 What are the best ways to engage with recruiters and industry leaders on LinkedIn to build strong career connections? Engaging effectively with recruiters and industry leaders on LinkedIn can open doors to job opportunities, mentorships, and long-term professional relationships. Here are some of the best strategies: 1. Optimize Your Profile First Before reaching out: • Professional photo and compelling headline (beyond just your job title) • Well-written summary showcasing your strengths and goals • Highlight key skills, achievements, and experience • Get endorsements and recommendations ⸻ 2. Engage with Their Content • Like, comment, or share their posts meaningfully • Ask insightful questions or add value to discussions • This gets you noticed before you even reach out directly ⸻ 3. Send a Personalized Connection Request Keep it brief and specific: “Hi [Name], I admire your work in [industry/topic] and would love to connect to learn more about your insights in [shared interest or goal].” ⸻ 4. Follow Up with a Message Once connected, send a message like: “Thanks for connecting! I’ve been following your work on [topic]—really impressed. I’m exploring opportunities in [area], and would love any advice you might have.” Make it clear you value their expertise—not just trying to get a job. ⸻ 5. Add Value Before Asking • Share articles, insights, or reports they might find useful • Tag them (respectfully) in relevant posts if it fits organically ⸻ 6. Join and Participate in Industry Groups Engage in LinkedIn Groups where recruiters and leaders hang out. This shows your interest and gives more opportunities to connect meaningfully. ⸻ 7. Post Thoughtfully • Share your own content—insights, learnings, project highlights • It helps position you as someone active and engaged in your field ⸻ 8. Be Consistent, Not Pushy • Don’t bombard them with messages • Follow up after a week or two if appropriate • Be patient and persistent, not aggressive ⸻ Would you like help drafting a custom message for a recruiter or leader in your field?

Most people on LinkedIn are posting too much — and connecting too little. You don’t need to chase attention. You need to build real relationships. Here’s how to use LinkedIn properly as an NDIS provider: 1. Treat it like a café, not a market. Post something real. Then engage in the comments. Message people thoughtfully. Start real conversations. 2. Make your profile interesting, not impressive. People don’t care about your title. They care about who you help and why. A selfie with a caption often builds more trust than a polished brochure. 3. Share your story. Why did you start in NDIS? What keeps you going on hard days? This creates a connection. It’s how people remember you. 4. Post often—but not randomly. 5. Value > volume. Short, helpful, honest posts beat long self-promotion. Example: Share a challenge your team solved last week. No names, just the situation and how you helped. 6. Comment daily. Don’t scroll and like—join the conversation. Leave 5 thoughtful comments a day. This gives you more visibility than 5 of your own posts. 7. Use video and voice messages. Too many “connections” are strangers. Send a 30-second video or voice note to someone you appreciate. That’s how trust starts. 8. Use your team. If your support workers have a LinkedIn profile, help them update it. If they don’t, offer to help them create one. Engage as a team. Human connection scales fast that way. 9. Follow key people. Tag them. Comment on their work. Learn from their posts. Relationships aren’t built in silence. You have to show up for others first. 10. Every referral starts with a relationship. So ask yourself: Would someone want to collaborate with the real version of me they see on LinkedIn? Because if the answer isn’t yes, you’re not using LinkedIn properly yet. What’s one small shift you can make this week?

John Shotter wrote beautifully about two very different ways of relating: aboutness and withness. Aboutness is when we stand outside the situation and talk about people, problems, roles, or reality as if they were objects to analyze. It helps us categorize, explain, measure, and manage. It has value. But in human encounters, aboutness alone is not enough. Withness is something else. It is the quality of being with another person in a living moment. It asks for presence, responsiveness, listening, and a willingness to let the interaction change us. It is less about control and more about connection. This matters deeply in relationships, leadership, and work culture. When aboutness dominates, we may become efficient but distant. We describe each other instead of meeting each other. We make interpretations too quickly. We “handle” conversations rather than truly enter them. That is often when people start passing by one another. Withness is more demanding. It takes attention, humility, and emotional courage. We cannot fake it with good process language. A simple example: A colleague says, “I’m struggling.” An aboutness response is: “What is the root cause? Let’s define the issue.” A withness response is: “I can hear this is heavy. Tell me more. What is it like for you right now?” Both may be needed. But usually, the second one opens the door that makes the first one useful. I think this is also one of the reasons I believe in platforms like Howspace. Not because technology creates human connection by itself, but because the right kind of space can make withness more possible: more listening, more reflection, more shared meaning-making, more genuine participation. In a world full of aboutness, withness may be one of the most human things we can practice. #LD #OD #collaboration #culture