Someone always breaks the ice, and the digital business cards start flying through the chat faster than a financial advisor calculating compound interest.
But… has anyone ever reached out to you based on what you dropped in the chat?
No?
Me either.
And be honest – when was the last time you actually saved the chat, dug it up a few days later, scrolled through it, and reached out to someone?
That’s why I started using the Zoom chat box as a bridge instead of a billboard.
Use the Chat as a Bridge Instead of a Billboard.
Instead of hoping someone magically stumbles across your contact info right when they need you, let’s use the chat box to build trust and start conversations.
At your next virtual networking event, listen for two kinds of people:
- Those who work with the same type of clients as you
- Those who just sound interesting or fun to talk to
Then, open up the chat and send them a quick private message like:
“I’d love to set up a 1:1! Here’s my calendar link“
That’s it.
Not everyone will schedule with you, and that’s ok.
But the ones who do are absolutely worth the conversation.
Why This Works
Virtual networking is fast and chaotic.
You don’t have time to follow up with everyone, and you wouldn’t want to anyway.
But when you message someone while they’re live on screen, you create an instant, real-time connection.
It works so much better than cold follow ups.
Plus, most people never think to do this – which means you stand out as the person who takes initiative and builds relationships.
So Use the Chat Box to Get Better Networking Results
Networking doesn’t happen during the meeting.
It happens after the meeting – at the 1:1’s.
Your Turn!
What’s your best tip for virtual networking?
Drop your stories and strategies in the comments – I read every one!
And if you want help crafting a pitch that makes people want to chat with you, book your Free Pitch Check Session