Networking on Social Media: 7 Steps to Building Meaningful Connections

Today, most of us interact on social media on a regular basis. 

Whether it's searching for job openings on LinkedIn, commenting on relatable Instagram posts, sending birthday shout-outs to family or retweeting your favorite celebrity.

Social media has been the holy grail for bringing people together through community and connection, allowing the world to feel like a much smaller place. 

But, what if we told you that networking on social media and maximizing its potential could help you develop relationships, establish careers, and open doors to new job opportunities that you never knew existed? 

Well, you've come to the right place because we’ve outlined seven steps to building meaningful connections through networking on social media that will help transform your personal and professional life for the better! 

Get Connected on Social Media

The first step to networking on social media is deciding who you want to network with.

LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram are the three most popular social networking sites for young professionals wanting to advance in their careers and build genuine connections.

If you're looking to make an online connection with someone you've already met in-person, choose a social media platform based on where you connected.

If you met at a networking event, LinkedIn and Twitter are good options. If you met at a laid-back social event, then you might want to try Facebook and Instagram since they are more friend-centric.

Word of the wise don’t connect on all social sites at once, you’ll come on too strong! 

Build your network by inviting people you already know to connect with your pages, such as family, friends, sorority sisters, hometown acquaintances, co-workers, and previous bosses. 

The more connections you have, the better your visibility will be, and the more likely you are to appear in other users' recommendation tabs!

Don't Be Afraid to Reach Out to Strangers

Mama always told me not to talk to strangers - when networking on social media, there is an exception!

You've probably received invitations to connect from complete strangers and think, how did they find me? Well, in the networking world, this is the “shotgun” approach. 

This involves making as many connections as possible, regardless of whether or not they are valuable.

Focus on quality over quantity! 

We want to ditch this method and look for people who are already working in the field you’re passionate about or who share similar values and interests.

This can be done by browsing through the “People you may know” section on LinkedIn, looking through other people's connections, joining relevant groups, or by simply typing in keywords.

Perks of LinkedIn - they also recommend groups it thinks you would want to be a part of! 

Make a Professional Impression with a Personalized Message

First impressions matter! Especially when networking on social media platforms for professional development.

To establish a professional relationship that can benefit both parties, it is important to be personal with your communication style. 

A direct statement about yourself and why you want to start a conversation is the best route to take when introducing yourself online. 

Keep it short and sweet!

It can be helpful to mention a common interest or mutual friend to lay the groundwork for your relationship to flourish. Lastly, give a brief explanation of why you reached out and wanted to connect in the first place.  

You stand out authentically when you connect with others and provide value.

Once the relationship has formed - it could be as simple as sharing a virtual event they might like, recommending useful online resources, brainstorming solutions to a challenge that they’ve expressed online that they’re facing, or connecting them to someone you think they would enjoy talking to.

Check out this LinkedIn Live by Sky Society's Founder & CEO, Natalie Peters, how to make authentic connections on LinkedIn.

Attend Virtual Networking Events and Webinars

Networking on social media has become one of the best ways to connect with people without leaving your house.

In addition to virtual networking events, you can also attend webinars hosted by top companies that bring people together for educational and networking purposes.

Check LinkedIn, Eventbrite, Facebook or Meetup.com to see countless free, virtual events you can network at.

By following the top companies that you’d want to work for on social media, it can keep you up to date on the latest events to attend that will help build your skillset as you progress in your career. 

Join Groups or Pages That Spark your Interest

There are many ways to start networking on social media. Finding groups and pages that interest and inspire you can lead to meaningful connections that can contribute to your personal and professional growth. 

Getting involved in groups helps form a community for like-minded members and allows you to develop relationships with people who are experienced in the field of work that interests you and has achieved what you hope to achieve in your career. 

LinkedIn and Facebook are the two most common places to join groups.

You might want to introduce yourself on the group's homepage or to individual members by mentioning who you are, what occupation you’re in or want to get into and ask for advice on a related topic. 

Connect and share ideas with our Sky Society Women In Marketing group on LinkedIn.

Ask for Career Advice or Seek Out a Mentor

Getting career advice from leaders in your field is an excellent way to start building connections instantly.

These professionals have been in your shoes and remember what it was like starting their journey. They can provide insights and knowledge that will help you advance or even get your foot in the door when starting out in your career! 

Networking on social media and asking for advice or mentorship can also provide a pathway to a professional relationship.

The more you build relationships and communicate with these professionals, the more opportunities will present themselves that can benefit your future. 

So how do you ask someone to mentor you? 

Well, let's arrange a time for an intro conversation! This could either be on LinkedIn or other social media platforms like Instagram if you follow them there. 

Then, you would want to be clear about what kind of guidance you're looking for.

The worst thing is mentoring someone who won't take the time, energy, and effort to make the most of their advice. So make sure your potential mentor knows that you will greatly benefit from their expertise.

Recognize and respect your mentor's time. A mentor is usually someone successful in their career, which means they are also very busy. Let them know how much you appreciate their consideration!

Schedule Informational Interviews

Get to know someone who works in a field you are interested in! 

This conversation will give you a glimpse into someone's day-to-day work life, what they do, and what their responsibilities are.

Networking on social media can help with this! 

Getting informational interviews can be done through your current network or by cold-contracting someone through LinkedIn if their company has caught your eye.

Having meaningful connections with people you met at virtual networking events or who inspire you is another great way to learn more about them and their roles! 

It should take between 15 to 30 minutes for these interviews, then thank them and express appreciation afterward. 

Some questions you can ask your interviewee are:

• Which career path led you to where you are today?
• In your current position, what are your main responsibilities?
• How would you describe a typical day or week in the life of a..?
• Do you have a favorite aspect of your job?
• What are the most common ways people get into this field?
• What are some common entry-level jobs? 

You can find a handful of interview questions and information on how to conduct an informational interview here. 

Final Thoughts about Networking on Social Media

The connections you make through networking on social media can help shape your career path and enable you to become better connected in the industry that you’re passionate about! 

A meaningful connection with someone who has been in your shoes can open doors that you did not know existed and can leave a positive impression on your personal brand. 

By following these steps, you will be one step closer to achieving your dreams and building meaningful relationships along the way.

✍️ Written by Rosanna Cypriano