As mothers, we have been forced to make some tough decisions over this last year. Many of us had to unexpectedly add full-time teachers to our resumes, and/or had our daycare and caretaker services taken away, and even put our careers on hold. The pandemic completely abolished in-person events, mommy meet-ups, networking drinks, coffee dates, and more that acted as crucial support systems.
We eventually adapted to this entirely virtual world, but our time became more limited than ever. How do you make space in your schedule to network while juggling virtual learning, childcare, and work?
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Even as things slowly ease back open, this virtual world is not going anywhere. We are all craving the power of connection right now, and networking in the digital landscape simply isn’t the same. Whether you are still working full-time or looking to rejoin the workforce, these are some new ways to grow a powerful network while balancing your work, family, and life:
- Go Where the Networkers Are – It’s important to note that in the online events space, more than 70 percent of attendees go to a virtual event with the primary objective of learning. It’s not to say that the so-called “learners” are not open to connecting with you, it’s just that most virtual events are still set up as learning experiences and not necessarily networking ones. I recommend that you specifically seek out events that call out networking opportunities, such as Zoom breakouts, chat rooms, or call themselves “social” events.
- Clubhouse (and not Mickey Mouse’s) – The audio-chat startup Clubhouse might just be the best virtual networking tool available right now. Clubhouse started in April 2020 with a small beta group of 1,500 influencers and celebrities, by November it had 600k users, and today, it has more than six million. It’s a hot platform for sure. So, why is it a good networking tool for working moms? Well, it’s a chance to have a conversation off camera, which means you can move, you can walk, you can do laundry, you can make lunches, you can multitask. I host a weekly room called the “Women’s Leadership Lunch,” and we highly encourage our listeners to raise their hand and join us on stage. It’s a great way to meet new people virtually and to share your story, your business, and what drives you.
- It’s time to Update Your LinkedIn – This professional platform has been around for almost 20 years, but it has significantly grown in users and significance in the last few years. LinkedIn is a powerful tool to connect with likeminded people, and it has become the go-to place for professional connection. A key thing to note about the platform is the more complete your profile page and the more you post and engage on the platform (comment, share, repost), the more visible your profile becomes. A newer function on LinkedIn is Events. The amazing thing about this function is that you can view the guest list before you attend the event. One tip is to add new connections from the event to LinkedIn and say you are looking forward to attending that same event, just the way you would if it were an in-person event.
- Five Introductions a Week – One of the connection types that we are missing the most right now in this pandemic world is the spontaneous connection. An example of this is running into someone at an event, and they introduce you to the friend they are speaking with. That connection is always a powerful one as your friend is personally vouching that they are a good person and usually worth knowing. How do we replicate that experience in the current virtual reality? My solution is a qualified, relevant email introduction where I connect two people in my network that I believe should know each other. I strive to do this five times per week as a pay-it-forward strategy for future connections down the line.
- Keep the Kids Busy – We all know that attending a networking event (even virtually) as a working mother is a luxury. Between the work deadlines, household responsibilities, and kid duties, there isn’t always enough hours in the day. Sometimes, I find myself looking for creative, digital babysitting options, which is why I’m a big fan of Esther Wojcicki’s new venture into the Edutainment space called Tract. The Tract platform is a subscription that offers classes inspired by kids ideas, curated and published professionally by educators, so all of the information is accurate and kid-centric. If this educational resource buys me 30 to 60 minutes, that’s a win in my book!
The key to networking as a busy working professional is to be selective with what events you choose to attend. The smaller, curated events may be much more valuable than larger events with splashy speakers. Your time is precious, so find a membership or organization where “your people” are.
For more on how the pandemic is impacting women financially, check out Strategies for Dealing with Financial Stress Caused by the Pandemic.
