Mr Syukri, the sales effectiveness specialist who is a “Top Voice” on LinkedIn, said those who want to successfully connect with an online audience have to “play around a little bit” and share their personality beyond their day job on their professional networking platforms.
Not only does he make it a priority to make new connections on LinkedIn and comment on posts that resonate with him, he also regularly posts commentary about current affairs, even on more “sensitive” subjects like religion and politics, as that reflects his values and helps him stand out in the “noisy world” of online networking.
He recalled viewing an individual’s “heartfelt” story about saving enough money from his paycheck to buy his first bed frame which attracted a lot of views on LinkedIn.
While being vulnerable and sharing one’s personal life in a professional setting can seem daunting at first, Mr Syukri said being open to posting such content can be the key to building connections because others may relate to similar struggles.
Ms Pooja from LinkedIn also emphasised that building a network on the platform is not a “numbers game”, as having a large number of connections may not necessarily give one an “edge” over other professionals.
“If you are considering connecting to someone you don’t actually know, you might actually consider following them instead. When you follow someone, you will still see any posts they share,” she said.
She advised professionals on its platform to consider connecting with people they have “trusted relationships” with, such as co-workers, alumni, and business partners and following global industry leaders to see their posts on one’s feed for educational content.
“Having the right network will improve the quality and relevance of your feed, the people who send you messages, and who engages with your content. Remember, you and your network are on a professional journey together, and the stronger your network, the further you can go.”
Ms Do the career coach added: “It’s essential to focus on the quality of your connections rather than merely increasing your follower count.
“More followers on LinkedIn don’t automatically equate to more meaningful relationships. Thoughtful engagement is essential to transform these digital ‘names’ into ‘real connections’ with potential.”
ONLINE FIRST, THEN OFFLINE
Experts cautioned that online networking, with its far reach and ease of facilitating connections at a large scale, should not be seen as a complete replacement for offline interactions, which still offer nuanced and potentially deeper connections.
“The internet has made professional networking much more dynamic and accessible than before, allowing professionals to transcend geographical limits and foster instant connections with others,” said Ms Dass of Randstad.
“However, messages may lack subtle social cues and (genuineness), reinforcing the importance of human connection.”
Mr Ang from ASME added that most people still prefer meeting up in person, as body language helps to enable the conversations to flow more easily, and the relationships to grow.
“So, these ‘traditional’ modes of networking are here to stay. Digital platforms and social media have added layers to, but not replaced these so-called traditional networking modes.”
Certain sectors like law and finance may also emphasise formal networking events, while informal meetups or social media usage to connect may be more prevalent in the technology and creative fields, added Ms Do.
Being in the venture capital industry, Mr John Tay, a 34-year-old head of partnerships at Tin Men Capital, needs to meet people in the startup ecosystem on a daily basis.
“It is more important than ever to have an online presence. In Asian culture, it’s often frowned upon to stand out or be vocal. But in a sea of noise and signals, out of sight, out of mind.
“You have to show up at events, and post content online consistently. Once you get the hang of this, you’ll realise that more people reach out to you.”
Mr Tay said that he prefers to conduct a “hybrid” of digital and physical networking, with about 80 per cent of his networking conducted in person.
He meets at least three new stakeholders every week, through follow-ups from networking events, introductions from trusted contacts or from cold calls over LinkedIn, which he uses daily.
This year, he co-founded a Startup Walking Tour with a friend, to bring foreign guests on a walking tour through a typical Singapore neighbourhood, while providing an “insider’s look” at Singapore’s tech ecosystem.
Through the three-hour tour, he plans to give visitors a “solid download of local culture” and enable connections with local organisations which can facilitate business and investments through Singapore’s startups.
