Best Practices for Professional Networking Online

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Networking is critical to professional growth and development across all industries. If you’re looking to advance in your career while exploring new opportunities and building lasting relationships, now is the time to focus on your networking skills.

Of course, you don’t have to physically attend all the latest industry events in person to grow your professional network. Today, more than ever, it’s possible to build a robust network online. So, where do you begin?

What Is Professional Networking?

Creating a professional network means building and managing meaningful relationships with others in your field, as well as adjacent fields.

This often means establishing working relationships with both coworkers and other professionals in your industry who share similar interests and passions. Networking can not only help you build a sense of camaraderie in the business world, but it can also serve as a useful segue into new opportunities.

Your network should also be mutually beneficial. Connecting with peers in your field may yield some personal advantages, but it’s not a one-way street. In some cases, you might find yourself offering additional support or resources to another professional in need.

Today, much of this relationship-building happens online. Platforms like LinkedIn, industry-specific forums, and even virtual events provide opportunities to connect. Online networking allows professionals to maintain a broader and more diverse network, regardless of location. And it offers convenient ways to engage through comments, shared content, and direct messaging.

Why Is Networking Important?

A strong network can help you stay current with industry trends, discover job openings before they’re publicly posted, and gain referrals or recommendations from trusted colleagues. For those looking to advance their career, the connections built while networking can often play a key role in professional growth.

Beyond job prospects, networking fosters a sense of community and support among professionals. It opens the door to mentorship, collaboration, and ongoing learning. In digital spaces, where networking can happen across time zones and industries, it’s easier than ever to engage with thought leaders, join discussions, and build relationships that can evolve over time. A well-maintained network becomes not just a resource, but a long-term asset in your career.

Growing Your Professional Network Online

While some of the best networking can certainly be done in person, technology now allows you to expand your reach to a global business network simply by leveraging some basic tips and tricks.

Utilize Social Media

Social media has become one of the most accessible and effective tools for building and maintaining a professional network. Platforms like LinkedIn are designed specifically for career connections, allowing you to showcase your experience, engage with industry content, and connect directly with peers, mentors, and recruiters. Sharing articles, commenting on posts, and participating in relevant conversations can help establish your voice and make you more visible within your field.

Beyond LinkedIn, other platforms like X, Instagram, and even TikTok can be valuable depending on your industry. Professionals in fields such as marketing, design, tech, and education often use these platforms to share insights, highlight projects, and join niche communities.

The key is to use each platform intentionally. By following thought leaders, joining relevant groups or hashtags, and contributing authentically, you can grow a network that extends far beyond your immediate circle.

Join Professional Organizations

In addition to leveraging social media to grow your professional network, you might consider joining professional organizations as a means of connecting with those in your field across the globe. Many professional organizations have an online component (such as discussion boards or even virtual workshops/events) that can provide valuable insights into your industry while connecting you with others who share your interests.

Depending on the area of business that you’re most involved in, examples of popular professional organizations to look into include:

Attend Virtual Events

While it’s wise to attend and network at some in-person business events throughout the year, the reality is that there are ample virtual events that can prove just as valuable and insightful. Plus, virtual events may be more affordable, saving you the cost and hassle of traveling to a conference or trade show.

When it comes to finding virtual events that may interest you, start by checking in with any professional organizations to which you currently belong. It’s not uncommon for these organizations to host virtual workshops, discussions, and other presentations where you have the opportunity to connect with industry peers. Some major business trade shows and conferences offer virtual options, too, enabling professionals to “attend” via interactive polls, sessions, and live discussions.

How to Strengthen and Maintain Your Online Professional Network

It’s not enough to simply create online accounts on various platforms; strengthening your network requires ongoing engagement. Nurturing these connections means staying active, sharing relevant content, congratulating others on achievements, and initiating meaningful conversations that keep relationships strong over time.

Make a Strong First Impression

You can make a positive first impression even if you’re networking online by maintaining a strong virtual presence and not being intimidated to reach out to others with whom you share values and interests. Likewise, if you’re attending a virtual event, treat it just the same as you would an in-person event. This means dressing professionally and being visibly attentive.

Follow Up

At the same time, building real professional relationships online isn’t as straightforward as “connecting” with somebody new on LinkedIn. If you truly want to go beyond surface-level connections online, be proactive and follow up with new connections as they occur.

After you add someone new on LinkedIn, for instance, you might consider sending them a direct message to introduce yourself and explain your reason for adding them. Perhaps you work in similar sectors, or maybe you read a blog post they wrote that resonated with you. Either way, a little follow-up can go a long way in opening up opportunities for more conversation and deeper connections.

Provide Value

At the end of the day, remember that networking isn’t just about what you can get out of your connections. Professional networking should be mutually beneficial. Simply put, this means that you need to be prepared to give as much as you take. If you have insights, share them. If you find yourself in a position to give back through mentoring or offering guidance to somebody new in the field, do it. Over time, providing value will help you build more meaningful relationships while positioning you as a trusted thought leader in the field.

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Building and maintaining a solid professional network is essential to expanding your influence in the competitive business world — and pursuing a relevant graduate-level education with exposure to peers and expert faculty can be the perfect way to do just that.

Looking for more ways to advance your career and business acumen? Complete with teaming experiences that allow students to network and collaborate closely with peers, Boston University’s Online Master of Business Administration (OMBA) delivers the comprehensive curriculum, flexible scheduling, and supportive community you need to thrive in today’s business landscape. Get in touch today to learn more about how our Online MBA can help bolster your professional network, or get started with your online application for admission here.