How To Increase Your Virtual Visibility
With the rise in hybrid work, many people are attending virtual happy hours, networking groups, and meetups. And while these virtual events are different than in-person, they still hold value for you and your career!
Our CEO and Founder, Jessica Chen, recently hosted a Soulcast Media | LIVE event on LinkedIn where she interviewed keynote speaker and bestselling author, Susan RoAne.
They shared key tips and personal experiences how to navigate virtual networking. This Soulcast Media | LIVE event is brought to you by our amazing sponsors at NeedThat™
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Showing up is one of the biggest steps you can take to increase your virtual visibility. During the Soulcast Media | LIVE, Susan said visibility is your ability to be in any room. Showing up is the first step!
1. Building Visibility
If you choose not to show up you are missing out on opportunities – Susan RoAne
Virtual visibility is all about making the most of opportunities and making opportunities for yourself. The first thing you can do is to make sure you are showing up. Many companies are promoting virtual get-togethers so that employees can get to know each other. And while you may be “zoomed out” it is important you show up. During the Soulcast Media | LIVE, Susan emphasized the importance of changing your mindset about virtual meetings and get-togethers.
Once you’ve decided to show up, it’s important you make sure you are visible! There are several ways to make sure this happens.
- Attitude – Change your attitude and your mindset regarding virtual get-togethers. It may not be your favorite thing, but if you believe that it is beneficial or that you will learn something, you will!
- Turn Your Camera On – It does you no good to show up to a meeting, a virtual get-together, or a networking event and leave your camera off. Not only can people not truly interact with you, but leaving your camera off makes it seem like you aren’t interested. And that won’t increase your visibility.
- Write Your Name – Make sure that people know it’s you! This is especially important if you are using a different computer than you usually use. Sometimes when you log in the name can change – so be sure to double-check before you show up.
- Participate – If you want to increase your virtual visibility you have to participate. Yes, showing up is the most important part, but participating will create those other opportunities to be seen. For example, if a general question is proposed, answer it! Or, you can always ask a question.
2. Small Talk
During the Soulcast Media | LIVE, Susan emphasized small talk is extremely important for career success. And this sentiment is not only for virtual settings, but in-person ones as well! While people don’t like to engage in small talk or don’t believe it is worth their time, it truly can make an impact on their careers. And the best part is, small talk is a skill that can be learned!
Small talk is the biggest talk we do. – Alexander Korda
Small talk is the information we use to form bonds with other people. You find out another person has many similar interests as you such as:
- Sports Teams
- Authors
- Cities
- Restaurants
Because the truth is, starting out with a heavy discussion that is extremely personal can be a turn-off. It takes time for trust to build between you and someone else. That time is where small talk comes into play.
You may find yourself struggling to come up with a reason to speak to someone else. Consider using these ideas to spark small talk conversations:
- The reason you are at the event – Why are you at the event? Chances are the person you are speaking to is there for the same reason – talk about that! And if they are there for a different reason it will help you get to know them more. Don’t forget to ask follow-up questions!
- Surroundings – If you are at an in-person event you can speak about the surroundings. Perhaps it is at a cool museum or an outdoor venue. Talk about the art or what you can see. Maybe you’re cold so you can speak about the weather.
- Happening Right There – One thing to keep in mind for small talk is to think about what is happening to everyone at the event right then and there.
Remember small talk is what helps you get to know others and how they will get to know you. Changing your mindset about small talk can make a big impact on your career!
3. Engaging Conversations
During the Soulcast Media | LIVE, Jessica talked about how many companies are putting on zoom social time for their employees. She asked Susan how one can take advantage of this time.
Susan said it was important to show up to these events expecting not only to meet new people but also to have people meet us.
- Initiate – During the Soulcast Media | LIVE Susan said that good things come to those who initiate. So while you are in these virtual rooms, initiate conversations.
- Mindset – Remember, you have to believe that these virtual rooms will be beneficial. One way you can do this is to say out loud – I wonder who I will get to meet.
- Chat Function – Use the chat function to initiate conversations between people at the virtual event. You can chat with the whole group or with people one on one. This is also a wonderful opportunity to drop your e-mail, LinkedIn Profile, or any other contact info.
- Think About Others – It’s important to think about what you can do to make other people comfortable during these virtual events. During the Soulcast Media | LIVE, Jessica pointed out that oftentimes when we communicate with others, we remember how they made us feel. We don’t particularly pay attention to whether or not their vocabulary was super sophisticated or if they told the funniest stories. We remember how we felt as we engaged.
As you enter into a virtual room, remember to engage in conversations with others. Let them get to know you, and expect to make meaningful connections.
The key to increasing your virtual visibility is really making sure you show up. Show up with the right mindset and expectations. Show up knowing this will positively impact your career.
If you would like to see the full LIVE version of Jessica and Susan’s conversation, check out Jessica’s Youtube Channel.
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