
Love it or hate it, Online Business Networking is definitely here to stay. But can you make it as successful as in-person? Read on for some useful hints and tips.
When Covid-19 came along in 2020, business networking organisations had to adapt quickly. Not just to save our own businesses – but to give others the opportunities to save theirs too! Within a few weeks online meetings sprang up everywhere and a new era began to thrive.
Since then, online networking has grown massively, and despite many people returning to in-person events, online continues to grow.
In-Person Networking v Online Networking
Like with all business networking it’s important to ensure that online meetings are just as productive and as well executed as in-person – otherwise it just becomes a long line of people pitching with very little purpose.
Says Nicky Thomas, Founder of The Growth Community:

“People love the ‘vibe’ they get at in-person meetings so it was essential that we didn’t just ‘move online’ and lose all the good stuff! But it was also important to embrace the technology and use it to our advantage.
The thing that really excited me was the accessibility of online networking. We were able to reach people who couldn’t normally get to in-person meetings easily – and then there was the greater geographical reach – which for some businesses has opened up opportunities way beyond their expectations.”
What makes a great Online Networking Meeting?
Well in a nutshell, it needs to be productive and enjoyable.
Don’t overcomplicate online meetings. Keep them simple and effective.
Generally, most people consider a good networking meeting to include some open chatting time; an opportunity to introduce yourself and explain how you help people; an opportunity to learn something new; and some time to arrange follow on conversations.
Here’s our thoughts on good quality Online Networking Meetings.
Online Meetings should ideally be Small And Focused
There is a tendency in online meetings to cram 50 or more people into a Zoom room. But let’s be honest. How many of them are actually ‘in the meeting’ or just working on their computer with one ear on the proceedings?
Smaller meetings are more focused and replicate the ‘being in the room’ vibe. Everybody is attentive when they are sitting around a table together and this can be easily replicated online.
Keeping attendees under 20 will ensure that everybody can see each other, hear what they have to say and identify the people they really want to follow up with.
Use Breakout rooms
The element that is most lost online is the ability for people to just grab a coffee, chat and engage with each other. This is something that is really special at in-person events. However, breakout rooms do work really well when used proactively.
We recommend putting groups of THREE people in breakout rooms as they arrive on the video call, so that they can relax and chat and use the time while everyone is arriving productively. There is nothing worse than joining an online meeting and everyone just sitting there waiting for it to start! Or listening to a couple of people talk over everyone!
The initial breakout room sets the scene and creates a more human element. Be careful about putting only two people in a breakout room – especially if you don’t know one or both of them. Three is a better balance. It helps people who are nervous and ensures that attendees are not put in a room with someone they are uncomfortable with.
Give everyone equal opportunity to speak
One of the biggest complaints about online networking is when there isn’t a proper structure. This can lead to more dominant participants hogging the air waves and some people not getting the chance to speak at all. Having a one or two minute pitch round is a good way to share the time people get to speak more fairly and look for other ways you can get people engaging fairly.
Have a follow up process built in
In an online networking environment we only get to see a selection of faces on a screen who tell us very briefly a bit about themselves. If we want to get the full benefit of attendance, we need to book some calls outside of the meeting too. We’ve found that encouraging people to SAY who they are following up with during the video call makes a big difference. And it’s another way to engage attendees.

Have some fun!
Have structure, but don’t keep it too rigid. We want our attendees to enjoy coming along to our online networking. It’s ok to relax and have a laugh too. It’s the best environment for relationships to develop – which is of course the outcome we all want ultimately.
In-person Follow Ups
Just because you met online doesn’t mean you have to stay online. If someone is within travelling distance then why not meet for a coffee and a chat? This is a great way to mix the real world with the virtual. But if you don’t live nearby, then a virtual 121 is definitely better than none. Be creative! Have virtual coffee and cake; go on a dog walk ‘together’ whilst on the phone! Connecting and learning how you can help each other can be done wherever it works for you.
Tips to help maximise the running of an Online Networking Meeting
Online networking opens up a few very different challenges to in-person networking.
Be security aware
Never let your guard down when it comes to online security. If this is not your area of expertise take some proper advice.
We recommend using a waiting room function and don’t let anyone in that you aren’t sure about. Never publish the entry link to your meeting on social media or websites. Ideally make sure people are registering for your meeting so you can check they are real people and not bots (or worse!)
ALWAYS disable the share screen function until someone is about to present. If someone disreputable bombs your online meeting with inappropriate or offensive content it can be very distressing and you could be left with some serious damage limitation to deal with!
Remember that you are in charge. If someone is not following the rules put them back in the waiting room straight away.
You’re on mute!
In a meeting with more than six people you definitely need everyone on mute until it’s their turn to speak. Background noise can be very distracting. While this isn’t very ‘natural’ the meeting will turn into chaos if you don’t. Make sure you look out for people trying to get your attention to speak. Most online meeting apps have an option to raise your hand and you can encourage use of the chat.
Be device aware
People will access your meeting on a variety of devices so again it pays to keep things simple. Screen sharing can be a big problem for people logging in from their phone. Keep slides simple and not too wordy so that they are engaging.
Avoid Slide Packs
It’s tempting to use a slide pack to manage the structure of the meeting, but it seriously damages the engagement level. On most online meeting tools you can only see a few people when the slide pack is on screen and unless you are explaining something technical it is unnecessary. People will be ‘in the room’ more if you are able to look at each other.
Support the shy and inexperienced attendees
For some people, the thought of going on camera in a zoom meeting is up there with Chinese water torture! The important thing is to encourage them in gently. Explain the format. Check they know how to use the tech. Be patient with people, hold their hand (virtually). Just because online networking is second nature to you, doesn’t mean it is for everyone.
How do we run online networking meetings at The Growth Community?

While most of our networking is done in-person these days, we still run some online networking meetings for people who love the convenience of being online, but want the benefits of structured Growth Community meetings.
We keep things simple and small. No more than 20 people on a call at a time. But usually around 12. The meeting lasts about an hour.
To Start: Arrive and have a chat with two other people in a breakout room for about 5-10 minutes.
Then: After a brief introduction to the meeting we have a simple one minute pitch round where attendees can introduce themselves and let us know how they help their customers.
Next: One of our members gives a 10 minute presentation to share how they work and/or teach us something about their industry.
Then: We have our Contributions section where we go back around the attendees to share thanks for anything anyone has done to help us out recently and say who we’d like to follow up with.
To Finish: We have a quick 5 minute learning point to send us on our way.
Additionally: Every third fortnight, like the rest of The Growth Community, we meet just as members to discuss our current successes and challenges in our business and take actions for each other.
A little bit of structure and a lot of fun and laughter. Works like a dream!
Want to try some Growth Community relaxed but very purposeful networking?
Find a location that suits you. And don’t forget you can visit us up to SIX time a year for free!
Further Resources
Keen to explore the right networking options for you? Why not have a read of some of our other blogs in our library.
Identify the right networking format for you
How to get the most out of your 121s
Ways you can build trust with your connections
Learn more about Growth Community member only meetings