Meeting others through group chat

- When people think of networking, they think of the traditional picture, a room full of professionals shaking hands and making introductions. The problem with this is that you're limited to networking with the people who are in that room. Technology has literally placed the world at your feet from a networking perspective. Digital chatting is the next great frontier for networking and mastering it isn't as overwhelming or stressful as you might think. Let's start with Twitter. It's more than a platform for random cat pictures and feuds between pop stars. While it's a good start to follow your industry's thought leaders and major companies, the real networking power of Twitter comes from Twitter chats. A Twitter chat is a pre-arranged digital event when people from all over the world use a hashtag to discuss a particular topic at the same time. For example, a software company may set up a Twitter chat on a Thursday from 12 p.m. to one p.m. about the latest advancements in AI using the hashtag #AIchatAtlanta. To join in, you just log in during that timeframe, check out the other tweets that users have posted with that hashtag, and add your own two cents. Twitter chats are fantastic networking opportunities. Some industries and organizations will host chats with the sole purpose of networking within the industry. If you can't find a chat that fits what you need, you can host your own, which really sets you apart from the crowd and establishes you as someone with initiative. To host your own Twitter chat, start by choosing a hashtag. You don't want to compete with anyone else, so run a search and ensure your hashtag is original and easy to remember. From here, all you need to do is pick a date, and a time, and spread the word. To make the chat more enticing, come up with some compelling topics beforehand or even have special guests that people will tune in to hear from. An organized chat is far from the only way to network on Twitter. Another great choice is to use Twitter and other social media platforms to extend your experience when you attend events and conferences. Most of the conferences today have designated hashtags for you to use when you post about the event. Use those hashtags to connect with others at the event. You can even start posting with the hashtag ahead of time to introduce yourself to others who will be attending and who are open to networking opportunities. Don't forget that you can and should post on several social media platforms with those hashtags because hashtags work on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. A third way to use Twitter and other types of social media for networking is good old-fashioned interaction. Follow anyone you can find in your industry, especially those who are more advanced in their careers. Comment on their posts to share your own insights and positive feedback. It may only take a couple of seconds at a time, but that's all it takes for an industry leader to learn who you are. After you've gotten their attention a few times, you can take it a step further and send them a direct message for a more in-depth conversation. As helpful as the major social networks are, they're global, and sometimes you want to invest more time in networking with people in your local area. To do that, head to where the locals are. Neighborhood-specific apps and platforms like Nextdoor or your city's subreddits on Reddit. One of my former clients got active on Nextdoor, made some great connections and even scored an interview thanks to her neighbors on the app. You can put a lot of the same digital networking strategies to work. Look for relevant conversations or start your own discussions to get the ball rolling. Now that you have some more insight into how to start networking and getting into the right conversations on digital platforms, don't forget about taking the conversation to the next level. On all these platforms we discussed, after you make contact with some people you'd like to network with, you should follow up with a direct message setting up a phone call or a meeting to get better acquainted with your new connection. Mention what you have to offer and how you can help them as well and start fostering that mutually beneficial relationship. In today's world, digital networking is an absolutely invaluable tool for building your career and carving out your place in your industry. These tips can help you get started but the real learning process is just to dive in and try it for yourself.