When you think of networking, do you envision meeting many people in a large room, or do you picture an online session. And which do you prefer? Both have their advantages. That's why a networking strategy should include both. Based on a poll I conducted, this was the preferred option. Here are the results:
- online sat at a measly 5%;
- in-person, 34%;
- both, a whopping 58%; and
- I don't do either bottomed out at 2%.
The idea for this poll came from a poll Kenneth Lang conducted asking how comfortable are you networking on a scale from 1-10? See his poll here: https://lnkd.in/ejEjyPRp. Truth be told, I voted between 5-7. I further thought if I were given the option of networking online, I would have rated myself an 8 or even a 9.
For my poll I selected in-person, as one gets a better sense of who the person is by being present. Case in point, I recently met with one of my LinkedIn connections, Brian Ahearn, CPCU, CTM, CPT, CMCT, in West Borough, Mass, for a get-together.
He was delivering a workshop on Influence, and I live 30 minutes from where he was staying, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to meet. Prior to this meeting, our correspondence was conducted through email, LinkedIn Messaging, and text. Completing the "quadfecta" was wonderful.
Nonetheless, Brian's and my interactions illustrate the benefits of both types of networking, online and in-person. With online networking, we benefit from reach; he lives in Columbus, OH, and I live in Lowell, MA. During our meeting, he taught me about Scotch, because I've never drunk it (I'm a whiskey man), we talked about our grandsons, and he explained more of the principles of Influence.
I've met with another of my LinkedIn connections, Jim Peacock, CCSP, who lives in Waterville, ME, so the journey wasn't too arduous. Our meeting was also enjoyable--he told me about how he stepped on a hornets' nest (who knew they formed nests in the ground), which I found funny. By that time he was a grandfather--I was not--so we he talked about the wonders of being a grandfather, and I envied him.
Breaking down the differences between online and in-person networking, here's how they compare:
Reach: Online networking gets the nod here. Many of us have connections that live across the US and even the world. However, this doesn't prevent us from sending direct messages to each other. Another case in point, many of my guest speakers live outside of traveling distance from me. yet this hasn't prevented me from building meaningful relationships with them.
Hannah Morgan says building relationships not about reach: "My take is that it isn't about the location but about the quality and content of the conversation. Building trust takes time and if someone is expecting a single conversation to generate instant results, I think they'll feel neither in-person nor online work."
Hannah's point is well taken; however, I would love to meet Hannah in person, as she's been a steady force in my LinkedIn engagement. If we get the chance to meet in person, I feel that our relationship will deepen even more. We could also talk about her Buffalo Bills and my New England Patriots; although that conversation might dampen the mood.
Relationship depth goes to in-person networking, as it builds trust faster through conversation, body language, and shared experience. When I read of my connections getting together at a conference, I envy them for the opportunity to talk, shake hands, and even hug; there’s a bond formed in those shared moments.
Emotions run higher than online networking. There's an adrenaline rush you don't get with online networking, a feeling of warmth and belonging. Trust is easier to gain and give with a handshake and eye contact. Online networking is more efficient--you don't have to travel--but it can feel more transactional than in-person. Having a preference for introversion or extraversion doesn't matter; it's the venue you choose that energizes you.
If convenience is what you desire, online networking is your cup of tea. You can jump on a Zoom or Teams call at any time, from any place in the world. There's absolutely no travel involved. This is a point Kenneth Lang made when commenting on my post.
"I think since COVID more people network online than ever before, as much as for convenience as anything else," he writes. But he favors in-person networking, "I still make it a point to go to in-person network events but IMO the format of many of them is a bit outdated for what's needed now."
He might have a point about in-person networking becoming outdated, but I think online networking can be just as inefficient. I've been on many Zoom calls to deliver webinars and find it frustrating when I can’t see participants, which makes me wonder how engaged they are. There's likely a lack of cohesion.
Memorability is not as evident with online networking but not with in-person. This goes back to relationship depth, where you are in the presence of your fellow networkers. When you're in person, you see how they dress, hear the tone of their voice, notice their body language, and see how tall they really are. Have you noticed that someone is taller or shorter than they appear on screen?
All of this becomes more real to you. Danielle Sweet Ellis comments, "I’ve been working online exclusively for years, and I’ve built great connections that way. This year, I’m building connections locally in person, and I love that energy and type of connection so much."
She is correct in using the word "energy." Energy is memorable.
So where does this leave us? The poll results say it clearly; this isn’t an either/or conversation. Online networking opens doors that geography would otherwise keep closed. It gives us reach, access, and efficiency. But in-person networking is where relationships grow stronger (this is why I chose this option). It’s where trust is built, where conversations deepen, and where people become more than just names on a screen. If online networking introduces you, in-person networking cements you.
Here's the million dollar question for those 2% who voted for, I do neither: are you willing to lengthen your job search by choosing not to network, either in person or online?
Gina Riley has this advice for you: "The reality is that not everyone is located in a place that will give them access to the people they need to talk with to advance their job search.
"A strong job search networking strategy combines who we can meet in person and those we meet over Zoom.
"Measure your success by how many meetings you get on your calendar, not by how many applications you complete online.
"Don’t restrict yourself! Do both. It’s a must."
Related: S.O.A.R. Method for Writing Resume Accomplishments That Get Interview Attention