How to: decide if a virtual or socially-distanced networking opportunity is worth your time

Networking events and other networking opportunities can be time-consuming. Even virtual events, which might seem easier because there is no travel time can drain energy and take your focus away from other things, so they may not always be the best use of your time.

Therefore, you will often need to ask yourself whether a networking opportunity is worth your while and if you attend. You might be questioning whether it will be a productive opportunity or a waste of time?

Here are some questions to ask yourself to decide if attending a virtual or socially distanced networking event will be time well spent.

01. What is the event or opportunity?

Start by identifying and breaking down what the event or opportunity is. What is it called? What is it actually? Will it do what it says on the tin (or more or less)?

Identifying the opportunity helps you to identify it is worth to you.

02. Do you like who you see? Who do you know? Who do you want to meet?

Find out who is attending the event. Look at the list of attendees. If this information is not available online or before the event, enquire with the event organiser or with your network and see who is going.

Do you see listed individuals who you want to network with? Networking is the opportunity to meet people. So if you do not see people that interest you, you may decide that you want to pass on a particular opportunity.

If there are only a couple of people you want to meet you may wish to consider if this particular networking opportunity the best place to meet them or if an alternative might be a better use of your time.

03. What is the format? Is there designated time to network?

What is the format? Is it a webinar, a conference, a virtual coffee? socially distanced walk or coffee? What will the format offer you?

It is important that you actually have the ability to network at a networking event if this is why you have chosen to attend. Will you get the opportunity to meet the people you have noted that you would like to meet?

You cannot network if you and everyone else are just listening to a keynote speaker or panel with no engagement. Therefore if the format does not allow for networking you will have to consider what it does offer you and if you still want to attend.

For example, you might attend because there is an interesting speaker and you would like to hear what they have to say.

Unfortunately, when it is a virtual event, you can’t take advantage of simply being in the same place at the same time as the other attendees in the usual way.

04. Ask yourself how you feel about the opportunity

Does the idea of the opportunity get you excited? Does it make you feel nervous, does it make you feel comfortable? uncomfortable? Why? do you feel tired or disinterested? are you stressed about not focussing on something else?

Listening to your gut feeling about a networking event or opportunity can help you decide if it is worth your while attending. If you are excited, it is likely that you have a good reason to attend. If you are comfortable attending this event it may mean that you keep attending the same events. This can sometimes be a good thing, but consider if you are still getting value and if you need to expand your opportunities.

If you are nervous or uncomfortable, think about why this is. If it is simply that you are attending something new, it might be a good thing (as you are trying something new) but if it is because you hate and dread a particular type of networking – you might need to look at a different type of opportunity.

05. Do you know why you are attending?

Finally, do you know what you want and why you are attending the networking event? For networking events to be worth your while it is important to prepare and know why you are attending and how it is going to further your goals.

Further Reading:

• How to: Improve the Quality of your Networking
• Quick Tip: Research the Guest List
• Quick Tip: Research a New Networking Opportunity