8 Ways To Network Without Leaving Your Couch

Nairametrics | 

We know that getting out there and meeting people is one of the most effective ways we can grow our network, and our businesses by extension. But sometimes getting out of the home or office seems downright difficult.

But being at home doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t do anything productive for yourself and your business. In fact, there are plenty of effective networking strategies you can put into play, without ever even needing to stand up.

Here are nine ways you can network, without ever leaving the comfort of your beloved home.

1. Participate In A LinkedIn Discussion Or Twitter Chat:  

Just because you are camped down at home, does not prevent you from being social. you can search for a twitter chat about a topic that interests you and join in.Or add your voice to a LinkedIn group discussion. You’ll get to connect and converse with new people.

2.Write A Guest Blog Or LinkedIn Post:

Content marketing is huge right now—so why not use that tactic to market yourself? If you have specific expertise to offer, reach out to an industry blog you follow to find out about contributing a guest post. Or publish your own informative post on LinkedIn.

3. Tackle Unanswered Emails:

We all know it doesn’t take long for your inbox to transform into one giant black hole. So that request for a date from your former mentor can be quickly buried beneath other messages and left without a reply.

Sift through the mess of your inbox and take some time to answer any lingering emails from your network. Then, watch in amazement as your schedule fills up with upcoming meet-ups and get-togethers!

4. Reach Out To Someone You Admire

Internet stalking someone you think highly of is one thing. But, it likely won’t get you far in your professional life. So, what’s stopping you from actually reaching out?

Send that person a LinkedIn message and connection request. Leave a thoughtful comment on one of her most recent blog posts. Or, send him a quick introductory tweet. Chances are, you’ll hear back. And, even if you don’t, that effort may just open the door to connecting with that person’s other admirers.

5. Write A LinkedIn Recommendation

Who doesn’t love receiving recognition for a job well done? Well, LinkedIn recommendations are a great way to do that publicly. But, for some reason, most of us are stingy with writing them.
Visit a few profiles of current or former co-workers and craft an astute and complimentary recommendation. Not only will this increase your presence on LinkedIn, but it will also up your chances of getting a solid recommendation in return.

6. Check In With Your References

Remember when you asked your very first supervisor to be one of your professional references years ago? Well, when’s the last time you touched base with him or her?

Take the time to send a quick email to your references to check in on how they’re doing. Not only will you engage in a meaningful exchange, but it’ll also refresh your references’ memory about what an amazing employee you were. That positive impression never hurts—especially if you’ll be applying for a new position soon.

7. Search For Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with a local organization is a great way to meet new contacts in a much less formal and rigid environment than a traditional networking event. Plus, volunteering looks great on your resume and makes you sound like an awesome, philanthropic person in interviews.

So, do some research to find a cause that you’d like to get involved with. Sure, you’ll need to eventually get off the couch in order to actually volunteer your time, but the reward will be well worth it.

8. Polish Up Your Professional Brand

Is your LinkedIn profile photo embarrassingly outdated? Does your resume need some sprucing up? Is your professional portfolio looking like it was drunkenly created one night? Now’s the perfect time to give your professional brand a quick tune-up.

While this isn’t exactly networking, it’s a crucial step in making a positive first impression when you’re reaching out to strangers.

While there may be no replacement for the old-fashioned “shaking hands and kissing babies,” not all networking requires you to leave your house. Put some of these tips to work next time you’re settled into your couch and you’re sure to grow your network. Nobody even needs to know that you did it all while wearing your bathrobe.