How to network through social media

– Social media certainly isn’t a replacement for face to face networking. There’s still nothing like connecting in person, but that’s not always possible. So social media can be a helpful adjunct. Let’s talk about how you can use it effectively. If you wanna connect with a busier, powerful person and you don’t have any mutual friends who can make an introduction, it might be hard to get past their gatekeepers. But social media is one good way to do it since most senior professionals, besides perhaps the CEOs of large corporations, handle their own social media. If you start commenting on the updates they share on Linkedin or Retweeting their posts on Twitter, if they’re active on social media, they’ll likely notice. Of course, you don’t wanna do it every day and look like a stalker, but an insightful comment or a Retweet every week or two will likely get you on their radar in a positive way. It’ll also lay the groundwork for a good response once you meet them in person, perhaps at an upcoming conference. Once you do meet someone, social media provides the perfect way to follow up. Of course you can send them a nice email mentioning your conversation and how pleased you were to meet them, but you can cement the bond by sending a Linkedin invitation or starting to follow them on Twitter or other platforms where they may be active if you’re not already connected there. That gives you multiple touch points with them and decreases the likelihood of them forgetting who you are, especially if you take steps to stay top-of-mind moving forward. Once you’re past the realm of immediate follow up, you need to figure out your longer term strategy for staying in touch with your new colleague. For instance, if they’re mentioned in the news media, you can share those articles and tag them with a congratulatory note. You could continue sharing and commenting on their blogs, podcasts, or other content they create, and it’ll carry more weight now that they know who you are. If they have a more limited public profile, you could make a point of messaging them on social media if their company is lotted in the press or sending them links they might enjoy related to their personal hobbies. All of that will ensure they know who you are and won’t forget you over time. Social media will never replace interpersonal networking but it can augment it powerfully and ensure your contacts know exactly who you are and what you can do.