You're in customer support and you need to stay connected with your network. How can you do it effectively?

1 Set clear goals

Before you start reaching out to your network, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do you want to learn more about a specific topic, industry, or tool? Do you want to find a mentor or a coach who can guide you and give you feedback? Do you want to explore new career paths or opportunities? Do you want to expand your network with new contacts or reconnect with old ones? Having a specific goal will help you focus your efforts, choose the right platforms and channels, and craft your messages.

2 Schedule your time

Networking can be time-consuming and distracting if you don't plan ahead. You don't want to neglect your core tasks or miss deadlines because you're busy chatting with your contacts or browsing social media. To avoid this, you need to schedule your time wisely and stick to it. For example, you can allocate a certain amount of time each day or week for networking activities, such as sending emails, making calls, attending webinars, or joining online forums. You can also use tools like calendars, reminders, or timers to keep track of your networking time and avoid interruptions.

3 Choose your platforms

There are many platforms and channels that you can use to network with other customer support professionals, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Slack, Reddit, Quora, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, or online communities. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your goals, preferences, and style. For example, LinkedIn is great for finding and connecting with potential employers, mentors, or influencers, while Twitter is great for sharing your thoughts, insights, or tips with a wider audience. You don't have to use every platform available, but you should choose the ones that suit your needs and goals the best.

4 Be authentic and helpful

Networking is not just about asking for favors, advice, or referrals. It's also about building trust, rapport, and value with your contacts. To do this, you need to be authentic and helpful. You need to show genuine interest in your contacts, listen to their stories, challenges, or achievements, and offer your support, feedback, or resources. You also need to share your own experiences, challenges, or achievements, and show your personality, passion, and values. By being authentic and helpful, you can create meaningful and lasting relationships with your network.

5 Follow up and stay in touch

Networking is not a one-time event. It's an ongoing process that requires regular follow-up and communication. You don't want to lose contact with your network after you've established a connection. You want to keep them updated on your progress, achievements, or challenges, and show them that you care about their success. You also want to ask them for updates, feedback, or recommendations, and show them that you value their input. You can follow up and stay in touch with your network by sending emails, messages, cards, or invitations, or by commenting, liking, or sharing their posts, articles, or podcasts.