Networking strategies in the marketing industry can be as dynamic as the field itself. To uncover the most effective strategies, we’ve gathered insights from a marketing consultant and a founder, among others. From supporting other businesses on social media to actively engaging in social conversations, discover five expert tips to enhance your networking strategies efforts.

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Contents

1 Networking Strategies: Support Other Businesses on Social Media
2 Expand Networks with Lunchclub
3 Attend Global Niche Events
4 Conduct Informal Professional Interviews
5 Actively Engage in Conversations

Networking Strategies: Support Other Businesses on Social Media

LinkedIn claims that there are 310 million monthly active users on their platform. When I swim through the infinite sea of content posted by business owners, I notice something most interesting. 90% (rough estimate) of LinkedIn’s content has virtually zero engagement. If you’ve used LinkedIn for any amount of time, you know that their average engagement rates and organic reach rates are in the toilet.

It is said that “90% of business owners who attempt to market their business on social media eventually fail in the first four months.” After seven years of marketing on LinkedIn and producing unrivaled results on my content (60-150 likes, comments, and shares), I came to realize that posting content will not help you find paying clients. So, I attempted to do something that 90% of business owners don’t do.

I like to engage with other business owners’ content. I share their content with my networking strategies. I ask them if they have a LinkedIn business page I can support. I support the LinkedIn community. As a result of doing this, I have organically generated more website traffic than I have ever received from posting legendary content. Do you know what this method of marketing is called? It’s called network marketing.

Networking strategies marketing, being social, and supporting my fellow business owners have helped me crack the algorithm. I came to realize that likes, comments, and shares have less value than getting people to my website. If you can’t get people off the platform to your website, you don’t have a business. This is just 25% of the networking strategies I use to find paying clients, but it works on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, which most business owners view to be dead networks with pointless engagement rates.

These platforms are called social media for a reason, and yet nobody’s being social or networking. I came to realize that most business owners don’t understand the concept; they don’t understand how powerful it is or why they need to build and/or join a few networks. Unwittingly, business owners are not succeeding because all they do is post content. It’s a selfish form of marketing.

The major social media platforms are not networks; they are prison cells for your business. A neighborhood does not become a community until we help each other produce positive results. It’s counterintuitive for most people—a real mind-bender. Knowing how to network on social media is a gold mine, and there are few marketers who are aware of this hidden gem.

Networking Strategies with Solomon Jones

Solomon Jones, Marketing Consultant, The WMC

Expand Networks with Lunchclub

Over the past year, I’ve enjoyed expanding my professional networking strategies through Lunchclub. Lunchclub is an excellent platform that sets up 1-on-1 video meetings, connecting you with professionals who share similar interests and objectives, including many from the marketing industry.

What makes Lunchclub stand out for me is the opportunity it provides to engage in meaningful conversations with professionals worldwide every week. I usually gain a lot of fresh ideas and inspiration during the calls! Lunchclub is also very valuable for expanding connections internationally, not just locally.

I’ve personally had a great experience meeting fascinating individuals from startups and the marketing industry. Also, when you finish your Lunchclub call, it’s very easy to stay connected via LinkedIn, ensuring those meaningful connections endure.

Networking Strategies with Marketa Chalupnikova

Marketa Chalupnikova, Co-Founder and COO, Tolgee

Attend Global Niche Events

To have an effectively networking strategies in the marketing industry, you need to be actively attending global events in your niche. For example, as an SEO expert, I actively search for ongoing events around the world. The exciting thing about these events is that usually the same community seems to be going. That means once you network with a few, you’ll grow into that community and continue to learn from them.

If you are unable to travel, there are options to attend events through Zoom calls or online. This is another good way, but I find it less effective and doesn’t have as strong an impact as when you are meeting people face-to-face. This allows for personalization and quick building of rapport.

My biggest tip: Don’t be afraid to share your best strategy, even if you want to keep it for yourself. You’ll find everyone is sharing their best strategies and helping each other in the industry. And 9 times out of 10, if you impress someone with your strategy, they might share their best one with you as well. It’s the way it goes.

Networking Strategies with George Panayides

George Panayides, Digital Marketing Specialist, The Digital xx

Conduct Informal Professional Interviews

I contact the professionals I admire to network effectively in the marketing industry. I ask them for a short meeting to learn from their experiences and knowledge.

These interviews are an opportunity to learn, seek advice, and gather industry details. An important characteristic of such interviews is their casual nature. You can pose your questions frankly regarding their career path and how they overcame their challenges. Through these discussions, you can collect helpful advice and start building real bonds.

These specialists can also pave the way for future work-related connections or mentoring opportunities. When preparing for these interviews, research and compile thoughtful questions reflecting your interest. It’s a chance to be taught by experienced professionals and gain perspectives that books or internet sources can’t provide. They might appreciate your proactive attitude and interest in their knowledge for referral opportunities in the future.

Faizan Khan, Public Relation and Content Marketing Specialist, Ubuy Australia

Actively Engage in Conversations

When it comes to networking strategies in the marketing industry, my go-to strategy is to leverage the power of social media. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram are great platforms for connecting with fellow marketers, potential clients, and industry influencers.

But there’s one specific tip I have: Don’t just passively scroll through your feed—actively engage in relevant conversations, show your expertise through valuable content, and join industry-specific groups. Based on my experience, building a strong online presence and making meaningful connections on social media can open doors you never knew existed.