How to Keep Up with Networking in an Era of Social Distancing
In the age of Zoom birthday parties and grocery deliveries, social distancing isn’t just impacting our personal lives — it’s also having a major effect on our professional networks and the growth of our businesses. As wedding professionals, our careers are built on collaborating with other vendors. When that is removed from the equation, it can feel downright discouraging to continue working while isolated at home.
Humans are social beings; we need to connect with other people. Fortunately, the pandemic has taught us that we don’t need to be in the same room to do so. Wedding pros are creative and, naturally, have come up with innovative solutions to keep their networks afloat and support their industry peers from afar.
Here are a few ways to network from a distance, nurture your relationships, and bring a feeling of togetherness to the industry.
Turn to your screens to get involved.
The pandemic has pushed society to transition to virtual everything—from school to weddings—and, thanks to creative professionals’ inherent adaptability, the wedding industry had adjusted to this shift seamlessly. From full-on conferences and summits to casual masterminds and workshops, we are continuing to meet new people and build connections across the internet. Although it’s not the ideal circumstances, social distancing is no excuse for letting your networking efforts fall to the wayside.
Keep an eye out for your favorite industry conferences and associations for news about virtual events. Many are hosting educational webinars and networking meetings for members and non-members alike. Additionally, the emergence of Clubhouse, a new app designed precisely for “hanging out” with like-minded people, has become a particularly popular platform for networking and education. You can also find virtual gatherings with industry peers on Meetup, which serves to connect people with similar interests online and in-person.
Practice intentionality with your relationships.
It’s been about a year of social distancing and many of us are feeling fatigued and, honestly, pretty lonely. We miss the days of seeing our vendor friends every day and chatting to our colleagues while walking through the office. We fondly remember the days that grabbing lunch with someone was as simple as sending as a text. For some, it can feel like an eternity has passed since they’ve collaborated with industry peers. However, just because we can’t work together doesn’t mean we can’t support one another.
Take advantage of the boundless digital channels at your disposal to take control of your network and nurture your existing relationships with purpose. Consider setting aside one or two mornings each week to catch up with a fellow vendor, whether it’s making a thoughtful phone call to check in or pre-scheduling a coffee date on Zoom. We could all use some extra friendship in our lives right now and a small gesture can truly go a long way in solidifying a relationship for life.
Shower your network with gifts.
There’s a reason gift-giving is a love language: It makes people feel good! Everyone loves receiving gifts — not because of the material aspect, but because it shows them that someone thought about them. It’s the simplest, purest way to show appreciation to your network connections and, in these circumstances, it is a memorable way to keep yourself top-of-mind.
Gifts are all about the thought, so it doesn’t need to be expensive. Skip the luxury gift set (unless that’s your brand!) and opt for something small and useful. A cute notebook, a tasty dessert, a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, a surprise Postmates order, a sweet bouquet of blooms — the possibilities are endless, so consider the recipients’ preferences and how you can stay on-brand in your gift-giving endeavors.
While we’re all eagerly anticipating the day we can return to in-person gatherings, there is still plenty that can be done to bridge the gap and maintain a tight-knit network of support. It might take some extra mindfulness to authentically cultivate relationships online, but it’s a far better alternative than letting your industry connections fizzle out.
Elizabeth Sheils is the co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, the first software platform to bring together wedding planners, couples, and vendors into one system for managing and paying contracts and invoices. Elizabeth is also a lead wedding planner with award-winning firm Bridal Bliss, where she manages the Seattle team. She was recently recognized by Special Events in its Top 25 Event Pros to Watch series.
