We’re excited about in-person events making a strong comeback this fall, but that doesn’t mean virtual and hybrid events are gone for good. Studies show that 79% of companies expect to host virtual events, even when it’s safe for in-person.

Virtual events offer different perks than in-person, including new ways to meet other speakers or attendees—several virtual event platforms have networking features to help attendees stay connected via one-on-one meetings, small group discussions, active discussions in the chat, and more.

Networking during virtual events is quite different from mingling IRL, and our tips can help you make the most out of those screen-to-screen meetings.

Here are our top suggestions for networking at virtual events:

• Know the virtual platform: There are dozens of virtual event platforms out there, and each one of them includes different features. Log on to the event as soon as you have access so you can familiarize yourself with the platform ahead of time so you’re prepared to make connections and enjoy the content during the event. Check out our top virtual event software picks to see what types of built-in networking features are available.

• Fill out your attendee profile: Be sure to provide your contact information and bio on the virtual event platform so other attendees can easily find you. This also makes it more obvious to other attendees that you’re open to networking. We recommend sharing a professional bio to help you get noticed. 

• Look at the attendee list: Several event platforms share attendee lists and profiles in advance, which can help you plan your networking targets in advance. If the software allows, start a casual conversation with the participant by sending them a message. You can also use the messaging feature to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

• Share your participation: Let your professional network know that you’re attending by posting on social media, your website, or your newsletter. This can help you engage with other people who are going to the event ahead of time. When sharing on social media, don’t forget to use event-specific hashtags and handles to reach more people.

• Engage in the chat: A huge perk of virtual events is being able to chat with other attendees during the session without worrying about distracting the speaker. Actively engaging with participants in the chatbox can spark conversation and lead to future connections. We recommend sharing insightful comments and questions during sessions to show thought leadership and to draw others to you.

• Get involved in channels/groups: Some events encourage attendees to connect outside of the event platform via Slack channels or LinkedIn groups, which is also a great way to stay connected after the event ends. Before and during the event, participate in discussions about the event content and industry trends to engage with other attendees. After the event, you can use these channels and groups to stay connected with the larger audience, as well as identify and reach out to connections. 

• Ask for contact details: Since you won’t be handed a business card, don’t forget to ask for attendees’ contact details before ending a networking meeting. This helps the other participant see that you’re interested in keeping the conversation and relationship going.

• Follow-up: If you chatted with someone during the event, don’t forget to follow up with them to keep the connection alive. Here are some tips:

  • Make sure to follow up within 24 hours of the event via email or LinkedIn messaging.

  • Be sure to reintroduce yourself and where you met in your initial follow-up note.

  • Reference something from your conversation to show you were paying attention.

  • Be clear about what topic or project you’d like to discuss next time you meet.

We hope these tips will help you make the most out of networking at virtual events. Interested in speaking at virtual or in-person events? Let’s connect!