Create Virtual Water Cooler Moments
This is something I talk about in Build Your Dream Network — and I’m thankful to Laura Vanderkam for highlighting this in her most recent weekly newsletter. Laura shared with her readers:
“…building ties virtually does require more intentionality than just bumping into people at the water cooler. I like to use a phrase from Kelly Hoey, author of the book Build Your Dream Network. She tells people to create virtual water cooler moments. These are little chances to affirm your ties and your common humanity.
For instance, if you read or hear about someone you know, shoot that person an email and ask how life is going. If you bump into a mutual friend, you can send a message about that too. If you read an article you know one of your connections might find interesting, send it along. Post a comment on a social media post. If you read a book or listen to an album or podcast someone recommended, send a note of thanks for the recommendation. If someone you know is traveling to another friend’s town, offer to make an introduction (double opt-in, please. It’s less awkward for everyone.)
These little acts of networking don’t have to be profound. Indeed, they’re best if they’re casual. But they should be frequent — just like you’d chat around a water cooler. They’re not a distraction from work. They’re a big part of work, and that’s doubly true when you’re not physically in the same place as your colleagues.”
And with that in mind, I’m creating Virtual Water Cooler moments (’cause I’m Virgo, these need to be scheduled). Starting March 19 at 10:30 am I’ll be over on Twitter using the hashtags #BYDN #VirtualWaterCooler to have topic-focused convos with people from my network (’cause yeah, if we’re all hanging around the water cooler goofing off and being unproductive, someone will come up, ask us what we’re doing and if we don’t have a good explanation, then we’ll feel the need to go back to our desks or sofas and resume doing whatever it was we were doing (or not doing) before 10:30 am). Find me on Twitter @jkhoey weekdays at 10:30 am EST and #BYDN #VirtualWaterCooler will be Monday-Friday (just like the old days when we went to and kept regular office hours).
#networking #networks #networkingtips #socialnetworks
