Connectivity and COVID: How To Make Virtual Meetups More Real
By: Mark Cottle
Tags: Marketing, Remote Working, Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Connection

One aspect of life that has changed over the last year, perhaps permanently to some extent, is how we connect with one another.

As social distancing took effect, tradeshows and conferences canceled, and even coffee shops closed, in-person networking opportunities came to a screeching halt. And with that, a sense of connectedness and the personal touch that make businesses succeed were put on the backburner.

Most of us long for the days when we can meet a client, a potential franchisee, or even a friend for a bite to eat and a handshake. And with news of a vaccine, those days may be close, but people are craving a way to communicate and connect with others in their community now. But with fatigue from more formal virtual experiences like webinars, finding authentic and meaningful ways of connecting are hard to come by.

One of our franchisees, John Fee, owner of Lendio Local offices in NW Pennsylvania and NE Ohio, came to us with an idea to reconnect with local business owners, lenders, and bankers in his area. A virtual coffee meetup to make connections, build networks, and provide value to past and potential customers.

The idea seems simple but has turned out to be quite successful — so long as the rules are stuck to.

Keep It Small

A small group format allows people to connect on a more personal level and feel comfortable speaking up.

By now, I’m sure we know what it’s like to be on a Zoom call with 40 people for an hour and not saying a word.

The key to creating an engaging virtual call is to ensure everyone feels comfortable speaking up, and the only way to do that is to ensure that there aren’t too many voices in the “room.”

Gauge the Needs of the Audience

Not everyone is going to attend a meeting looking for the same answers or experience. The host should set the tone, energized and with an open mind. Ask those attending what they are looking for, what resources or help they could use, or which connections they are looking to make.

Limit the Agenda

It may seem counterintuitive, but scrapping or at least limiting the agenda is an important part of making any chat relevant to everyone involved.

When a timed and thorough agenda is presented, topics get limited to what the organizer thinks ought to be discussed. A lack of agenda, on the other hand, allows attendees the opportunity to drive the conversation to make it relevant for them. An open discussion is where ideas are allowed to flourish and answers rise to the surface.

Don’t Force Anything

Along the lines of limiting structure, don’t force anything. If you’ve scheduled an hour-long meeting but the momentum is dwindling, just let it end naturally. On the other hand, if the conversation is going strong and people are able, let it go on a bit longer.

Camera On, Distractions Off

The whole purpose of a virtual meetup is a chance to see people face to face, so don’t turn your camera off — otherwise, you might as well have done a phone call.

With that, put your phone away and close Slack and your browser to ensure your eyes aren’t wandering. You wouldn’t check your email or browse for holiday gifts during an in-person get-together, so don’t do it in a virtual one.

Share Contact Info and Follow Up

As with any networking activity, following up is as important — if not more important — than during pre-pandemic times.

Ensure that those attending have a chance to share their own contact information so they can make further and richer connections after the call ends.

Send a thank-you note, email, or text to all who participate. If there is no follow-up, you can consider the networking opportunity an opportunity missed.

It’s a strange time for those whose jobs and success depend on building connections. COVID-19 and the precautionary measures that have come from it have made personal networking more difficult than it already was. While help seems to be on the way, we shouldn’t waste valuable time.

Building personal connections has never been more important, and while virtual, meetups can still be real and meaningful so long as you take the steps to provide an authentic space for people to connect.