If there’s one major impact that the pandemic has brought in 2020, it is how people communicate. With reduced opportunities to physically interact with each other, people have started utilising tech in work like never before. From Zoom meetings to virtual coffee to online conferences, the list goes on.

Since communication is such an important part of my role as a writer in e27, a large portion of my year went towards experimenting with strategies to network effectively with people.

In the process, I discovered that I was suffering from an illness widely known as the Zoom fatigue.

This is characterised by periods of exhaustion as a result of meetings lined up on one’s Google Calendar. I think we can all safely say that we have been a victim to that at least once during 2020.

While some may argue that vaccines have started to roll out, and with that, mankind has found a way out of virtual meetings, chances are high that the new working normal will likely continue throughout 2021.

I say this because tech giants such as Twitter, Google and Facebook have already announced the continuation of their work from home policies to the next year, and many other companies are likely to follow their lead. Also, many nations are yet to figure out a way to roll out the vaccine extensively.

Also Read: Work from home risks every employer needs to be aware of

While initially, I was experiencing moments of mental explosion by hopping on two-to-three calls a day as I had to finish cooking my meal on the side and take my dog out for a walk, I have truly started embracing the process now.

Here are four tips to improve your virtual networking experience:

1. Creating your own “power spot”

This is something that I learnt from Japanese author and lifestyle guru Marie Kondo in her book Joy at Work which I personally found to be very effective.

Kondo encourages working professionals to have their own “power spot” which consists of items that they love –-a personal space that is aimed to bring a joyous vibe.

For example, if someone loves plants, they can create a spot in their home filled with greenery. The very fact that the spot is filled with everything that one deeply loves can automatically be therapeutic in nature.

In my case, I attempt to fill my power spot with music. Keyboard and speakers in the room helps me unwind and relax my mind after every short meeting.

2. Making a good virtual impression

Remember how you used to dress up smart for any networking events so that you make a good impression? That rule still applies during virtual video calls with people.

Also Read: This is the only work from home advice that you need to read

As we near the end of 2020, the bar has been raised and people are now investing in professional setups for their video engagements to make a good impression.

To avoid making a bad impression during a virtual networking session that includes a shoddy background, dark lighting and cluttered background, one can always invest in low-cost products to build a great first impression with your virtual network.

Some of the things you can use: a selfie ring (for brightness), a plain white background and Krisp.ai for effectively cancelling the noise around you.

3. Keep it short

Making small talk is out while brief and focussed conversations are in.

Since people have more fixated time slots to communicate, respecting people’s time and keeping the meeting focussed on discussion points will go a long way.

To do this, I make a note of the topic of discussions during the interview so that I know exactly when a conversation is going off-track and can effectively reroute it.

Also Read: 7 tips for even the most timid entrepreneurs to succeed at networking events

But keeping it short also doesn’t mean we are completely robot-like and fail to ask people meaningful questions like how their day was.

4. Secret weapon

One of my best findings this year has been a chrome extension called Crystalknows, an extremely effective tool in networking effectively with people outside of your work/country.

Crystalknows uses a technology called personality AI that makes use of machine learning and AI to predict someone’s personality using their online footprint. Since building a good rapport is such an important quality of networking, this software can help you do just that with people you have never met before. The software even tells you how you can handle conflict or please your interviewer. Creepy, but useful.

Hope these tips helped, even if you pick just one out of the four I can guarantee you that you will enjoy the process of virtual networking.

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Image Credit: Abbie Bernet

The post Escaping the Zoom fatigue: A writer’s tips to network better virtually in 2021 appeared first on e27.