The Top 3 Reasons Face-to-Face Networking Is Still Vital
- Posted by Alaia Williams
- On January 9, 2014
With the growing popularity of professional social media sites and online professional networking sites, increasing your professional network can be achieved from anywhere with internet access. While social networking can expand your professional network, it cannot replace face-to-face networking altogether. Below are the top 3 reasons networking in person can never be replaced.
It Creates A Lasting Impression—When new contacts can place your name to your face and personality, you become far more memorable when you reach out electronically in the future. Even if your time with someone new is brief, determine your common ground to help make a memorable and lasting impression.
It Allows You To Showcase Your Personality—A new professional contact may sound great on paper, and be the consummate professional online, yet fall flat when it comes to in person interaction. This is why it is important to schedule a face-to-face meeting with contacts you are introduced to online, and to continue attending live networking events to make new contacts.
It’s More Effective—Let’s say you make 20 new professional contacts online this month, the extent of your “relationship” may be little more than exchanging contact information. So even if you call or email your new contacts, there is a good chance they may not respond. However, when you network face-to-face you have the opportunity to take time to relate to one another on both a personal and professional level, which will significantly increase your odds of a response when you reach out to your new contact in the future.
While online professional networking is still a reality in today’s business place, you need to strike a balance between face-to-face and electronic professional networking.