How to Network in the Digital World

Networking seems hard in the era of technology. Let’s make it easy.

I basically grew up on a computer.

This is what I’ve learned.

I’m unabashedly Generation Z. Ever since my family had a computer, I’ve been mildly attached to it. Now that I’m older, I’m starting to realize the grave consequences of this attachment, which I am now trying to desperately undo. But that’s not the point of this story, that’s for another blog post. Since I was basically living on my computer for most of my life, I’ve gotten really good at building networks as a young, creative person.

Navigating Social Media

If you use social media, don’t make an account for the purpose of getting famous in regards to what you do. Use it to find your community. For writers and artists, as well as other creatives, it can be this endless grind of trying to become more and more successful, but people often overlook the beauty of a digital world in which we can meet with so many different people. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met have been from the online writing community, or via opportunities I found online. Make friends with social media.

But, at the same time, it’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. You’re on your own journey, and while getting a lot of numbers quickly might seem like such a perfect opportunity to advertise yourself, at the end of the day it’s all about the connections you make with the people around you. If you’ve built a network and audience that isn’t invested in you as a person, then you’re going to find that this might’ve been counter-intuitive all along.

Back in 2018, when I was writing my first book, I ran an Instagram poetry account that had roughly 4,000 followers. I made the big mistake of not connecting with my community and not making friends with the people who were interacting with my account. My engagement was low, I was only getting DMs asking for shoutouts, and I didn’t get a single book sale from that account. I had like five people click the link to even look at the book.

Inserting Yourself Into Opportunities, Even the Ones You May Think You Never Wanted

Find opportunities. Don’t overextend yourself, but just apply to opportunities that you’re not sure about. You can decline if you’re still having second thoughts. Some of the best things that have happened to me have been because I applied to be a poetry reader and so-and-so magazine or because I thought an interior design internship would be cool.

Again with social media, or even with websites or perusing the Internet—if you think someone is cool, follow them! Email them if they have a contact option. I think we crave authenticity and connection, and as a poet myself, I love it when people want to discuss my work because I know it’s not just going out into the void of the Internet.

I find that LinkedIn is an okay source for creatives. Go on Twitter if you’re a writer, theatre person, or artist. Many, many creatives live on Twitter. A lot of journalists I follow actively built communities that kind of worship them on the platform, and I, someone who doesn’t even post that much on it (yes, I need to change that soon), have been finding my engagement is almost better than my Instagram, where I have 1,200 followers.

Be Openminded

The Internet is a very powerful tool, one where you can push yourself to new experiences and meet new people who you would’ve never met otherwise. Definitely utilize it to its maximum potential, but you’ll also be exposed to completely different perspectives and people who lived lives that might be much harder than yours. Use this opportunity to become a better, more well-founded human overall, and it will aid you in creating better, more interpersonal relationships.

Eventbrite Is Your Friend

People seriously underestimate Eventbrite, especially in the pandemic world. When everything shifted online, I then found so many university events, blogging seminars, and lectures that were all free and so informative to go to. For example, I went to a blogging seminar where we all networked, and now I have resources to go to whenever we want a guest post, for example, or friends to shout out our content on media platforms. If you’ve got pockets of free time, look up events on Eventbrite and see if one of them falls within networking. I’ve seen a bunch of events for blogging, website design, SEO, and just general networking.

It’s All About Attitude

At the end of the day, you have to have a good attitude about what you’re doing in the digital sphere. If you’re negative and keep dragging yourself down about your media presence, then it isn’t going to get anywhere. You’re going to be miserable and think that digital media systems suck. Be chipper, and even when it all seems to be failing, keep pushing through. I started this blog with absolutely no following or followers, didn’t advertise it to my friends and family. Now, I find myself having people reach out to my email being like “let’s connect! I love your work.” And some of these people I see a genuine friendship in.

Now go off! Be brave, and go into the world ready to take it by storm.