The pandemic impacted our professional lives more than we might realize. Being stuck in a COVID coma where pajama bottoms became the new business attire and messaging replaced gathering around the instant espresso machine left most of us feeling socially repressed. This was like torture for digital marketers who thrive in collaborative environments where teamwork is at the heart of every project.
But we all have the opportunity to finally come out of that coma and get back into the swing of things. Considering our professional and personal networks shrunk by 16% during the pandemic, we all could use a little reminder on how to network. Here we look at how you can jump-start your professional networking and get your career back on track.
Getting Back Out There
If you decided to work from home post-lock down, consider shifting to in-person work again. Many digital marketing companies are creating hybrid workplaces where workers have flexibility in their work preferences. If there’s an opportunity to work more hours in the office, it’s a good way to ease yourself back into a more social situation where you can attend meetings face-to-face.
This improves optics and reminds senior managers you’ve got some serious career objectives. It might seem like a hassle at first, but once you get back into the routine, you can find yourself enjoying being social again. You can also leverage the power of building relationships with the right people to help advance your career. And hey, it usually includes free coffee.
Find Networking Opportunities
Look for opportunities to attend more live events where you can mingle and meet new associates in the digital marketing industry. Nothing is more effective than in-person networking, where you can connect with the people who can help you improve your skills, find new opportunities, and get your career back on track. If your role depends on making deals, this is the perfect way to find new leads and convert new clients.
People can put a face to the name and develop more meaningful connections to build trust. You just can’t develop social bonds when you have to do everything via live chat. This is also the best way to share your knowledge with others and establish yourself as a digital marketing expert.
Leverage In-Person Learning Opportunities
What types of South Florida networking events are going on? Finding new networking and educational opportunities allows you to rub elbows with potential mentors and learn more about trends in digital marketing. By attending events with speakers of note, you’ll find ample opportunity to leverage new skills and make meaningful connections to help improve your visibility.
Interactive events allow you to meet fellow professionals working at the types of progressive companies you find appealing. This opens doors for new opportunities. However, you can also meet people who help you keep up with the latest trends so you remain relevant in your current role.
Get Involved with the South Florida Interactive Marketing Community
Get involved with the South Florida Interactive Marketing Community (SFIMA). SFIMA is the best place to connect with the area’s most engaging, informative, and cutting-edge marketing professionals. You can participate in high-quality monthly educational meetings so you refocus your energy on learning more about the latest trends, tools and best practices in digital marketing. Join SFIMA today.