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Can You Network Successfully Online?
Yes, you absolutely can network successfully online!
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to build genuine relationships, make meaningful connections and grow your business through a screen, the answer might surprise you.
For some people, networking has always meant walking into a room, meeting people face to face and chatting over a cup of coffee. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but does that mean online networking is less valuable? Not at all.
At Business Women in (BWi), we’ve seen how much women gain from coming together online. From sharing business challenges and exchanging ideas to building friendships, finding support and discovering new opportunities, there’s so much more to online networking than simply joining a Zoom call.
Can Online Networking Really Be as Effective as In-Person Networking?
There’s sometimes an assumption that you can only build genuine relationships when you’re physically in the same room, but it’s not necessarily where you meet someone that matters. It’s the conversations you have and the relationships you build.
One of our members, Sara, had always preferred in-person networking, but after attending more online Meet-Ups over the summer, her opinion changed.
She discovered just how enjoyable online networking could be, with fabulous conversations, genuine connections and a real sense of community, despite everyone joining from different locations.
Of course, online and in-person networking offer different experiences, and you might prefer one over the other, but there’s no reason you can’t benefit from both. If you enjoy making connections online, why not take the opportunity to meet other businesswomen face to face at our BIG Events.
What Are the Benefits of Online Networking?
One of the biggest advantages of online networking is accessibility. When you’re running a business, juggling responsibilities and trying to fit everything into an already busy week, that can make a huge difference.
1. You Can Network Without Losing Half Your Day
We’ve all been there. You spot a networking event you’d love to attend, but then you start working out the logistics.
How long will it take to get there? What’s the traffic like? Is there parking?
Suddenly, a two-hour networking meeting takes up most of your morning.
With online networking, you can connect with other businesswomen, enjoy meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights without the additional travelling time.
2. You Can Meet Businesswomen From Across the Country
Online networking removes geographical barriers. Instead of only meeting people within travelling distance, you can connect with businesswomen across the UK.
This is particularly valuable if your customers or clients don’t need to be locally based.
Even if your business is primarily local, connecting with women from different areas can introduce you to fresh perspectives, new ideas and opportunities you might otherwise miss.
3. It Can Feel Less Intimidating
Let’s be fair, walking into a room full of strangers can feel daunting.
What should I wear? Will I know anyone? What if I end up standing awkwardly in the corner?
Online networking removes some of those worries. You can join from somewhere familiar, with your favourite cuppa beside you, without worrying about finding the venue or parking.
For women who feel nervous about networking, online meetings can be a lovely stepping stone. The more you attend, the more comfortable and confident you can become.
4. It Fits Around Real Life
Perhaps the children are home during half-term, you’re waiting for a delivery or the postman rings the doorbell just as you’re about to speak.
It happens! With online networking, you can briefly mute yourself or switch off your camera when needed.
That flexibility can make networking much easier to fit around business, family and everyday responsibilities.
What Makes Online Networking Successful?
Not all online networking meetings are the same.
The format, host, group size and atmosphere can make a huge difference to your experience.
At BWi, we’ve deliberately created an environment where women can get to know each other naturally, without feeling pressured to sell.
Genuine Conversations, Not Sales Pitches
One thing that puts people off networking is the expectation that they’ll have to deliver a sales pitch.
Everyone takes turns explaining what they sell, and before you know it, the meeting is over. But how much have you really learned about the people you’ve met?
At BWi, we don’t do 60-second pitches.
Instead, we encourage women to introduce themselves through their stories, talk naturally about their businesses and share their experiences.
We want people to get to know the person behind the business, because that’s where genuine relationships begin.
Smaller Groups Where Everyone Gets Heard
Nobody wants to spend two hours listening to people talking over each other or struggling to get a word in.
That’s why we cap our BWi Meet-Ups at 14 women.
It gives everyone time to introduce themselves, contribute to conversations, ask questions and share experiences.
Our volunteer hosts also play an important role. Each brings their own personality, expertise and hosting style, but they’re all committed to making everyone feel welcome and included.
Can Online Networking Actually Help You Grow Your Business?
Absolutely, although perhaps not always in the way you expect.
It’s easy to think successful networking means leaving a meeting with a new client or immediate sale. While networking can certainly generate business, we believe its real value often comes from the relationships you build over time.
Someone you meet today might recommend you to a friend months later, introduce you to a potential collaborator or become a client themselves.
Also, networking isn’t only about sales.
Sometimes it’s having someone who understands the challenges of running a business, getting advice on something you’re struggling with, or simply leaving a meeting feeling more positive.
Our BWi members regularly tell us how much they value the friendships, encouragement and shared knowledge within the community.
One member explained that being part of BWi meant she no longer felt alone in the business world.
Another shared how the relationships she’d built had generated real business through work from fellow members and referrals from people who trusted her enough to recommend her services.
These experiences reflect the wider BWi community, across online and in-person networking, and show what can happen when relationships are built on genuine support and trust.
What If Someone in Your Networking Group Does Exactly What You Do?
Some networking organisations restrict attendance to one person per industry.
At BWi, we take a different approach.
We don’t restrict how many women from the same industry can attend our Meet-Ups, and that’s intentional. We don’t believe two women working in the same industry automatically have to be competitors. They might specialise in different areas, work with different clients or have completely different approaches.
There may be opportunities to collaborate, recommend each other or share knowledge that someone outside their industry wouldn’t have.
Sometimes, the person who understands your business challenges best is someone doing something very similar.
How to Make the Most of Your First Online Networking Meeting
If you’re new to online networking, it’s completely understandable to feel a little nervous.
Here are some practical tips to help you feel more comfortable and get the most from your experience.
Before the Meeting
- Contact the host. If you’re nervous or have questions, reach out beforehand. At BWi, we include host contact details in our reminder emails.
- Prepare 3 to 5 questions. Think about business challenges you’d like advice on or topics you’d enjoy discussing.
- Bring a notepad and pen. You never know what useful ideas or recommendations might come up.
- Check your technology. Open Zoom 5 to 10 minutes early to make sure everything works. At BWi, you’ll enter a waiting room first.
During the Meeting
- Don’t feel pressured to speak first. It’s fine to listen to a few introductions before sharing yours.
- Be yourself. You don’t need a rehearsed sales pitch. Just talk naturally about who you are and what you do.
- Ask questions. Showing genuine interest in others can lead to some wonderful conversations.
- Don’t worry about interruptions. If real life gets in the way, simply mute yourself or briefly switch off your camera.
After the Meeting
Don’t let your connections end when you leave Zoom!
Connect with people on LinkedIn, send a friendly follow-up message or arrange a one-to-one conversation with someone you’d like to get to know better.
You don’t need to turn every conversation into a sales opportunity. Building relationships takes time, and staying in touch is an important part of that.
What If You’ve Tried Online Networking Before and Didn’t Enjoy It?
We’d encourage you not to write it off completely.
Perhaps you’ve attended a meeting where everyone was focused on selling, the group was too large or you didn’t feel particularly comfortable.
It’s understandable that you might think online networking simply isn’t for you, but one experience doesn’t represent every networking group.
The host, format, atmosphere and people attending can make a huge difference.
At BWi, we have different online Meet-Ups hosted by women with their own personalities and styles, so there are plenty of opportunities to find a group where you feel comfortable.
We’d also encourage you to attend more than once. You might join on a day when you’re not feeling particularly confident, or the conversation might not be especially relevant to you that time.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the group isn’t right for you.
You should leave feeling you’ve had lovely conversations, learned something, made genuine connections or simply enjoyed spending time with women who understand what it’s like to run a business.
So, Can You Network Successfully Online?
Absolutely!
Whether you prefer networking online, in person or a mixture of both, what matters is finding an approach that works for you.
Online networking can help you build friendships, exchange knowledge, find support and develop meaningful business relationships, all without leaving your home or office.
Sometimes, the connections you make through a screen can lead to opportunities you never expected.
Ready to Give Online Networking a Go?
At Business Women in, our online Meet-Ups bring together women from across the UK for friendly, supportive conversations about business and everything that comes with it.
There’s no pressure to deliver a sales pitch, no expectation that you need to have everything figured out and no need to be an experienced networker.
Whether you’re completely new to networking or simply looking to make more meaningful connections, you’ll be made very welcome.
Why not come along and see what online networking at BWi is all about?