How to Expand Your Network Virtually

Colours of Career Development

By Marion Sadavoy

Whether you are a fine artist, an art director, or somewhere in between, we all need to network. It is essential to our success.

I can hear the groans now as you think about how labor-intensive old-school networking feels. And how does one network effectively as we continue to work remotely, with this seemingly endless pandemic upon us?

Well, first, let’s talk about why we need to network with intention and make it a yearround activity.

At its core, networking is simply building relationships, which is something humans must do for survival. We’ve seen the importance of human connection during the last year-and-a-half, as we all went into our own safe spaces and stopped interacting with others in person.

Although in-person events are not an option for everyone yet, what IS readily available to all of us is virtual networking, which has many benefits. Consider this: we can attend online events and meet people all over the world without travel, we can explore new topics with ease, and we can expand our network safely and effectively.

Having a rich and trusted network can be an excellent source of professional opportunities, allowing us a chance to refer others while also increasing our own visibility.

Networking allows us to create relationships with people in our areas of interest and beyond, to keep us up-to-date on what’s happening in our industry, and to hear different points of view. Having a rich and trusted network can be an excellent source of professional opportunities, allowing us a chance to refer others while also increasing our own visibility.

Much like dating, you cannot sit at home and expect someone to call with the perfect opportunity. No matter if you’re in your studio creating art or conducting a job search, you need to get out there and connect with people. Take advantage of opportunities to get exposure even if they are unpaid. You can volunteer your time which will allow others to meet you and see how you operate on a professional level, with little risk. If you’re an artist, you can share select pieces of your work to gain exposure in a new arena. Remember, no one can buy your work if they don’t know you exist!

So, how does one start networking in a virtual environment? The fastest ways are to join online groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Slack; attend virtual webinars in your industry or something you’re interested in; and attend events found on platforms like Eventbrite or MeetUp. If you’re unfamiliar with these platforms, just do a Google search and see what events come up! Once you’re at the virtual event, strike up a conversation in a chatroom! Perhaps you can look up the speaker prior to attending a webinar and connect with them on LinkedIn. That will allow you to keep the channel open for future conversations. Additionally, don’t forget to post your work so you have an online presence, using tools such as

Behance, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram. You can always hire a student if you don’t have the technical know-how to create your own website or post on social media.

If you’re feeling adventurous you could host your own virtual event on a platform like Google Hangouts or Zoom. Pick a topic you’re excited about and share it with your industry network. Then plan some questions and have a discussion afterwards, much like a book club. This will instantly endear you to the group and make future discussions much easier. Oh, also, don’t forget to have the participants take a moment to introduce themselves so you can all connect again at another time.

Finally, it is important to remember that networking is not about asking someone for a job—it’s about building a relationship. Be genuinely interested in the other person and offer to help them before you consider asking them for a favor. People will respond positively if you give them something versus asking them for help before they even know you. It could be as simple as sending them an article of interest or connecting them to someone you know.

It has been a challenging time to connect with new people but you can do it. Start by joining one online event. Focus on meeting two like-minded people, then watch your network begin to grow. Feel the power of Coral, expand your network, and share all that you have to offer!