How can I meet people in the same industry as me?

How can I meet people in the same industry as me?

We all know that networking with other professionals can only enhance business prospects however meeting people in your industry can sometimes prove challenging for several reasons. You may be new to an industry and not know where to start, or you could simply feel a little anxious about approaching others. We also can’t ignore that fact that physical networking is near impossible at present due to COVID -19 and the physical restrictions it brings. So, if you want to meet others in your field and make your presence known in your industry here are a few tips to get you started.

Start with LinkedIn connections

It may sound obvious but it’s surprising how many professionals neglect their LinkedIn profiles when it comes to meeting people in their industry. Set some time aside an evening or two a week to find interesting people in your field and send them an invitation to connect with a short message to introduce yourself. It’s important to take the time to add an introduction as it gives the recipient a better idea of why you’re connecting with them and the common ground you share. 

When searching for people in your industry it’s worth doing so in a systematic way, meaning you don’t want to aimlessly send connection requests to masses of people that may not see it or may not be relevant to you. Instead, search for up to up 10 people that are attainable contacts and send a tailored introduction message to each. These could be experts in your industry or simply other professionals from businesses within your field. 

Curate and engage in industry news and content  

Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and active by regularly posting industry articles and news. Posting industry-relevant content will promote engagement on your profile and, more importantly, engagement from other like-minded professionals that can relate to the content you’ve shared. Try and post a few times a week but always keep the content relevant. Subscribing to news platforms like The Drum or CIO that are industry-specific will help you in curating interesting articles. Likewise, engage with other people’s content by commenting and sharing. A simple like won’t suffice, you want your face and name to be memorable and this is only achieved by genuine engagement. 

Keeping up to date with industry news will also allow you to start interesting conversations with others at physical events or Virtual Roundtables.

Research events that are industry-specific  

A quick google search will allow you to find networking events in your industry and while many physical events such as conferences and networking events are postponed, they will eventually be up and running again so keep an eye on the main event organisers.  In the meantime, many organisations have adapted their approach and are holding Virtual Roundtables, webinars and virtual workshops to keep professionals connected. These virtual networking opportunities are ideal for meeting others in your industry and keeping up to date with the latest topics and trends in your field – all from the comfort of your own home or office. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for an introduction

Think about who you already know and who they have connections within your industry. Ask your existing contacts and connections to introduce you to others they know, whether this is at a physical networking event or through LinkedIn. This is probably the simplest way to build connections within your industry but many people just don’t think to ask. An informal introduction from someone who knows your professional worth is a credible and genuine way to expand your network. 

Meeting people in your industry can be a difficult task, especially when we are currently unable to network face to face, however taking these simple steps to expand your network could prove priceless in the long term. Not only will you make valuable connections but, in doing so, you will also state your place in your field.