Building a Strong Network While Working Remotely

You don’t need to attend awkward networking events to build connections. Here are 10 ways to network online (from your couch) to land your dream job, mentorship or just to stay in touch: 1. Start with warm calls, not cold DMs Reaching out to strangers is intimidating. So, begin with people you already admire or respect: past colleagues, old classmates, mentors, or anyone you’ve gotten value from. Reach out, share your goals, ask for advice, or simply reconnect. — 2. Build (or join) a 3-6 person mastermind Invite people you admire to check in monthly or quarterly. Ask 3 simple questions in each meeting: • What’s your biggest win? • What’s your biggest challenge? • How can we help each other? This becomes your personal board of advisors, and their networks become yours, too. — 3. Make intros within your own network Instead of always trying to add new people, try connecting two people you already know. It builds goodwill, and often sparks reciprocity. Some of my best opportunities came from introductions I made first. — 4. Be the tortoise, not the hare Strong networks aren’t built in a week. They come from consistency, trust, and staying top of mind. Check in. Celebrate small wins. Be helpful, even without asking for anything.  — 5. Send snail mail Want to stand out in a sea of LinkedIn messages? Send a handwritten card or even a fun comic with a note. The person will always remember your “extra” effort. — 6. Elevate the interaction • Only chatted with someone online? Try a call. • Had a few calls? Try a Zoom meeting. • Know them over Zoom? Meet up in person. Each upgrade strengthens the connection. — 7. Pick one platform to dominate Instead of being everywhere, go deep somewhere. For example, if it’s LinkedIn: • Endorse people • Write thoughtful comments • Share niche insights your network actually values   This depth pays off more than shallow visibility. — 8. Curate, don’t just connect Curate the best insights, tools, or articles in your niche, and share them regularly. You’ll become a trusted source people keep coming back or referring to. — 9. Do something fun together Shared activities build bonds. This could be as simple as playing a game, joining a sweepstakes, or co-hosting a webinar.  People remember who made them feel something. — 10. Swipe right (yes, really) Apps like Shapr or Invitly are designed for warm outreach — you match with people who want to meet others. It’s cold networking without the awkwardness. Networking isn’t about pitching. It’s about planting seeds. Start with one person. Reach out. Reconnect.  Then keep showing up, helping others, and making connections that count.

Networking when everything is remote is very challenging - especially for the post-production crew where everyone is sitting in their various homes all day at a computer. Need I say how important it is? People just starting out in their careers are at a huge disadvantage working remotely since they miss out on all those encounters in the halls that can lead to new opportunities, building ties with all the other freelancers on whatever job they are currently on. I love working remotely, but it definitely impacts the kind of day-to-day networking that we all need to strengthen connections, make new ones, and find the next great gig. Besides the "go to industry events and talk to people" basic advice, think about how the gig you might have right now can lead to future gigs. Here are some ideas about networking-while-remote for assistant editors (and everyone else). What would you add? ✂️ Reach out! Honestly, most editors I know are on the introverted side. That's partly why they are editors. So if you are their remote assistant, reach out to them. Ask questions. Ask to look at cuts and works in progress and then make observations and ask thoughtful questions. Email them and kick-start a correspondence about editing theory (personally, I would love this from an assistant). ✂️ You may be overwhelmed with tasks, but make a commitment to take a few moments every day to make contact with someone on your team about something not immediately connected to this moment in the project. ✂️ Email a cameraperson or a producer and comment on a great shot or well-covered scene. Ask a good question and start a conversation. ✂️ Ask a producer if you can have a few minutes to chat about their process, or how they got to where they are. Research what other things they have done so you have some stuff to talk about. ✂️ Don't wait for someone to mentor you - ask for it. ✂️ Call up the production manager when you are several weeks in, and thank them for hiring you - what a great time you are having, how interesting the project is, what you've learned. (Or email them.) ✂️ Use the production slack message board, or whatever, to start interesting conversations. Maybe bring up a recent documentary you saw, or other general industry topic. Look for ways for more people on the team to know your name. ✂️ When the project is over, write to every person on the team and make some comment or observation about what a great job they did (keep a list for this as you work). Be sincere. Ask them them to keep you in mind, and send them your CV. Basically, don't just hunker down and do a great job, dependably. Get your name in everyone's minds. These are the people that will be recommending you for your next gig and don't miss the opportunity to get them to remember you. Full disclosure - I wish I'd taken more of this advice myself. I tend to be more of a hunker-down-and-do-a-great-job type! What other ways can you think of to network on the job?

“I didn’t attend a single conference during my PhD. No travel, no funding, no PI support.  But I still built a strong professional network — from my laptop.” If you feel behind because you're not jetting off to conferences, you're not alone. Francesco Rugolo, PhD (a molecular biologist and postdoc) shares in this honest, practical video how he built his entire network online. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/dq2KDWH4 Here’s 4 things from the video that worked for him (and can work for you too): 1. LinkedIn – Don’t just list your CV. Show up. – Like, comment, share your learning. – Avoid AI-generated fluff. Be real. – Think value: “How can I be useful to someone reading this?” 2. Cold emails + Zoom coffee chats – Reach out to people whose work you admire. – Keep it short and thoughtful. – Be curious, not transactional. – Respect their time. Prepare. 3. Webinars & Online Communities – Join free academic webinars via mailing lists and reach out to people afterwards. – Find Slack/Reddit/Discord communities in your field. (he recommends Alma.Me’s Slack community, you can join here --> alma.me/community-sign-up) 4. Mentorship programs – Many are free and open (even if you're not at that university). “It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t flashy. But it worked.” You don’t need a conference badge to start building meaningful connections. You just need to start. If you’re an academic hoping to build your network, I’d recommend watching Francesco’s video. And if you're setting up coffee chats like Francesco recommends (or nervous to start), check out my coffee chat guide to help break it down into easy steps: https://lnkd.in/dbsfxZac Have you tried any of these approaches? What’s worked (or not) for you in networking remotely? #PhDLife #Postdoc #Networking #GradSchoolTips