This Podcast Is Episode Number 0380, And It's About How To Grow Your Construction Network Without In-Person Events Networking can be a crucial way to keep your construction business growing.   Profitable contractors attend networking events not because they have nothing better to do; they do it because it pays off. You can either spend hours doing office tasks like bookkeeping or getting face to face with someone who may need your services. Meeting people gives you the chance to build and develop relationships, hire you, or refer you to someone who might.   Regardless of your industry or business size, it is hard to ignore the benefits of forming professional networks for potential partnerships, expanding your client base, and scaling up. However, while we are constantly reminded about the importance of networking, reaching out to grow your network isn't the same now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Social restrictions to prevent spreading the coronavirus do not allow traditional networking approaches such as in-person conference events or face-to-face business meetings over coffee or dinner. However, this doesn't mean that you should put all your networking efforts on hold because no one can tell when this global crisis will end.   It becomes more important than ever to try new ways to increase your sales and ensure that your business stays afloat during these difficult times. In this article, we will explore a couple of strategies to keep up your networking efforts during the COVID-19 crisis and well into the future. 1. Host Webinars, Online Courses, or Podcasts (or participate as a guest on interviews) Webinars, online courses, and podcasts give you a chance to establish thought leadership and be at the forefront of your industry.   Now that most of the world is in lockdown, it is the perfect time to start that project you've been meaning to work on but haven't found the time. When done right, you will be able to engage people in your existing network and add more people to your database.   Take the time to do some planning on the industry-relevant topics that you'd want to discuss on your webinar, online course, or podcast. Include interactive activities that will keep your audience engaged. Don't forget to let the participants know about your website (especially if you're the one being interviewed), or other classes or webinars. These subscribers can help you keep your network growing. 2. Offer free downloadable content Whether you are creating fresh content or re-purposing existing content that you already have, aim to provide value that will attract new people to your network.    You might create eBooks, courses, whitepapers, research reports, and other valuable content that people in your industry will find useful. Offer your content to your current contacts and promote them even further through social media and email marketing. 3. Take part in new online communities  As the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we interact, you should move online to connect with more people. Join virtual discussion groups and online communities that will give you an opportunity for targeted networking.   When you do an online search of relevant groups, you will find that there are thousands of them. You don't have to join every single one-- just choose two to three that are most suitable and start participating. Engage by reacting and commenting on other people's posts, provide useful tips, and consider sending a direct message to start a conversation. Don't try to be too "salesy," though. 4. Tailor your messaging When trying to connect with people online, don't just send a stock-standard template-- develop strong relationships by maintaining real and genuine interactions. In other words, don't send a message that you wouldn't be comfortable receiving.   Make an effort to personalize each email instead of sending a generic message. You can reference a past event that...