This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by tectrain
Networking can feel like a daunting task, especially when your social circle is small. Trust me, I’ve been there! For more than four years, I’ve worked as a social media and content manager, and I’ve been on a mission to build a meaningful professional network.
By using tools like LinkedIn, community discussion platforms, and webinars, you can build meaningful connections that will benefit your professional journey.
Today, I want to share some of the tips and strategies that have worked for me. Hopefully, you’ll find them helpful as you work on building your own network.
1- Professional + Social + Network = LinkedIn
I started by creating a LinkedIn profile that showcases my skills, experiences, and goals. First, find my friends then continue with connecting with my professors and people I worked with. I joined industry groups related to my field of interest. For this part, don’t be shy to engage in discussions or share your insights.
You can send connection requests to people you admire or want to learn from by personalizing your invitations with a brief note explaining why you’d like to connect. It’s a friendly and professional way to grow your network.
Think of LinkedIn as a virtual coffee shop where you can meet new people, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can lead to exciting opportunities. Just like in a real coffee shop, be respectful and genuine. This platform is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to broaden their professional horizons.
2- Community-Based Discussion Forums
So we already know Dev.to is a great choice, I was writing to share my ideas and you are reading these sentences. That’s why we are here :)
Reddit and Dev.to are for everyone who enjoys learning and sharing knowledge, not just computer geeks. They provide a forum for discussing trends, posing questions, and interacting with like-minded individuals.
You can join forums on Dev.to, for instance, that discuss design, web development, or even career guidance. On the other side, Reddit offers a plethora of subreddits (forums) where you can participate in conversations about almost any subject.
These resources are priceless, whether you're looking for help with a code issue or want to learn more about a certain sector.
3- Online Webinars
Webinars are another fantastic way to expand your network and gain valuable insights. Even while researching the topic you're interested in on Google, you can find many online free or paid options.
There are two main sources that I follow and recommend, which offer IT-related options: Gartner and Tectrain. You can find online events on various topics almost every month on these sources. By following these sources on social media channels or their websites, I register for the webinars that interest me and add them to my calendar.
I can say that thanks to these webinars I attended, I learned to find the right answers to the questions I had on current topics. Webinars usually include interactive areas. While the speaker presents the topic, I can ask questions through live chat or participate live in the Q&A sessions to ask questions or discuss the topics I want to solve.
In this way, I can get answers to my questions from experts and also learn different perspectives from other participants. I think it's the greatest value that today's technology brings to those who want to improve themselves.
Make it a habit to attend webinars that align with your interests and career goals. If you want to learn top trends impacting your IT talent in 2024, you can join a Gartner webinar, or if you are interested in iSAQB-related topics like Strategies for Software Architecture Success, you can join Tectrain's online webinar sessions. These are all free.
(PS: If you want to gain a certificate about some specific topics like iSAQB or SAFe there is paid options you can find.)
Take notes, ask questions, and follow up with the speakers or other participants on LinkedIn afterward. It's a straightforward way to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for learning and professional growth.
If you have other channels you recommend, you can share them in the comments. I can't wait to check them out. Learning new things and making connections through these teachings is great for both personal and professional development in my opinion.
Maybe the connections we make will bring us one step closer to our goals. The ideas we share can give birth to new ideas, and maybe one day, these connections will turn into products or projects that help many people. The mere possibility of this increases my enthusiasm for creating a community and networking with people.
If you think the same, you can start by taking a step today.
Find Your Path and Connect with Your Community
At the end of the day, the key to effective networking is to have a clear goal. Are you looking for a job? Do you want to learn new skills? Or are you simply looking to meet people who share your interests? Once you’ve defined your main objective, choose the best platform or method to reach your goal.
Remember, networking is not just about meeting people; it’s about building relationships and being part of a community. Whether you choose LinkedIn, discussion platforms like Dev.to and Reddit, or online webinars, each method offers unique opportunities to connect and grow.
So, take the leap, start reaching out, and watch your social circle expand!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by tectrain
tectrain | Sciencx (2024-06-17T14:59:47+00:00) How to Network When You Don’t Have a Big Social Circle. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/06/17/how-to-network-when-you-dont-have-a-big-social-circle/
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