How much of your networking will take place online vs. in-person?
With the shift to a digital approach since the pandemic, how do you plan to network in the future? What approach works best for you?
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With the shift to a digital approach since the pandemic, how do you plan to network in the future? What approach works best for you?
Answers (1-10)
When it comes to networking, your reach is actually further than just an online presence or in-person networking. You also have the power of referrals or word-of-mouth from your past and current clients.
The experience and service you provided your clients are the best advertisements for your business. Its low cost marketing and high value return.
We will continue to do online meetings, but will start doing personal meeting as soon as possible. I think people have forgotten what the true value is of meeting people or groups in person. You can not really get to build a personal relationship with business partners or customers through the use of a computer. You may get business that way but not a relationship.It is easier to sit behind a desk and not spend the time driving to a place to meet but again you don't really get to fully know who you are working with. I think we have to invest our time in one another to build relationships and know our Business partners as well as our customers to really make a difference. So I am really excited to get back to the one on one as well as the group meeting being done in person.
I’ve been doing digital networking since before Covid hit. All our operations are digital. We ship all our products to our customers and business partners directly from a warehouse so I don’t need to deliver anything in person. My team is spread out across the US and we have a great relationship. We stay connected virtually and through phone calls. I’ll meet someone locally if they want to, but my choice is to conduct my business remotely.
This is an excellent question because the nature of our business does require face-to-face collaborations with musicians, producers, writers, studio personnel, and video crews to mention the basics. The good news is that 50 to 75 percent of pre-production can be done via apps and video conferencing in real-time. Personally, the technology is certainly helpful, but there is no substitute for real-time live collaborations.
I would say 50/50. I do meet at different outdoor restaurants and on Zoom to accommodate my clients or networking in general. Also on phone and face time to accommodate those that prefer the phone. Being safe is most important and sharing through the community action style that best fits the prospect.
I still believe in personal contact and will travel to the client if needed. Of course much networking can be done in a digital manner, but person to person meetings can be very informative. Body language is often missed in zoom meetings and certainly missed in emails. Is the client comfortable? Are they expressing all of their concerns. Communication can be verbal and non-verbal. So, therefore I use both.
Moving to online networking has afforded me the opportunity to attend far more networking events than I have ever been able to in person because of my schedule. It has also provided the opportunity to participate with groups in other cities/provinces/countries, which has been inspiring and has created a network I had not considered.
I will stick with online and gently add a small number of worthwhile and curated in person events.
Definitely networking will take place in person, probably about 50%. Although I really like the online format, most communication takes place through body language so better relationships are created in person.
Almost everything I do now is online. The Health & Life Insurance Companies were transitioning to online sales well before Corona showed its ugly head. Since Corona has showed up almost everything is able to be done by phone and online. Our biggest hurdle was CMS when it came to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Products. There were many requirements set by CMS , normally met by Face to Face meetings. Now we can do all of it online and /or by phone .
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