Through our learning materials, across our communications channels, and at in person events, Net Impact Boston have been focusing on networking over the last few months.
As we emerge from pandemic enforced isolation we are exploring the world of networking and how it can help you build your professional and social network, and give you the opportunity to make valued connections with people who share your interests and professional ideas.
As Alexandra Rose (Net Impact Boston Marketing Lead) explores in her recent blog article, “Networking shouldn’t be about making cringey transactions, but rather is about building sustaining relationships.”
In order to help you build those relationships, we have documented some platforms and resources you may find useful for networking in the Boston area.
Main Networking Platforms
Meetup https://www.meetup.com/find/us--ma--boston/
Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ma--boston/events/
These two are the major players for helping you find events. Simply type into the search bar “networking” plus your chosen field and you will find plenty to choose from.
For example:
Charity - https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ma--newton/charity-networking/
Social Impact - https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ma--newton/social-impact/
Volunteer - https://www.meetup.com/find/?keywords=volunteer&source=EVENTS&location=us--ma--boston
Online Networking
A perhaps newer approach to networking is meeting people in a fully online space. Spurred on by the pandemic these digital meeting places are increasingly common, for example Slack groups centered around a certain subject. The easiest way to find these groups is to Google your interest followd by ‘Slack group’, some examples below:
Especially do when networking online, it’s important to really engage with the conversation. If you are attending an online Webinar make sure to connect with the speaker before the event, have some questions prepared for the event, and follow up. This active engagement can really help you stand out from the bank of “screen off” icons that many online presenters are face with.
Tyr these tips from Blinkist regarding effective online networking - https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/essential-online-networking-tips
Professional Networking
There are, perhaps understandably, many more organizations that deal with strictly professional networking, from the very small:
Coffee Networking with Boston Entrepreneurs - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-networking-with-boston-entrepreneurs-tickets-387006215007?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
To the very large:
Boston's Biggest Business, Tech & Entrepreneur Networking Soiree - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bostons-biggest-business-tech-entrepreneur-networking-soiree-tickets-451746514987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
For professional networks it’s also good to check out established organizations such as:
Boston Young Professionals Networking - http://bostonypa.com/
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce - https://bostonchamber.com/
Boston Young Black Professional Network - https://www.bostonybp.com/
It’s also important to work out where those in your profession are most likely to be found. Are you looking for career coaches or those undergoing a career transition? Then LinkedIn may be the best for you. Are you looking for those in the visual arts space, photography, or videography? Then maybe visual platforms like Instagram and Pintrest would be the best places to start.
International Networking
When looking around for groups to network with, it can be useful to try and find your tribe.
There are often groups out there designed for people with a similar background or interest.
Many of these groups are professional in nature such as:
British American Business Council of New England - https://www.babcne.org/
Or for volunteering:
Asian American Volunteers Together - https://www.meetup.com/AwesomeVolunteers/
Or just for social fun:
Brits in Boston Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2263216767/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=10160219072956768
Brazilians in Boston Internations group - https://www.internations.org/boston-expats/brazilians