Online Networking: Why It Might Be the Best Thing You Haven’t Tried Yet
Can I be honest with you about something? When I first launched Women Inspired Network, I was completely convinced that in-person networking was the only way.
I come from a sales background and I’ve always known that face-to-face is where I do my best work. If I message someone, I might get a response. If I meet them in person, I almost always make a connection. So the idea of replicating that magic through a screen? I genuinely didn’t think it was possible.
And then Sharon happened.
Sharon Buckley — grief therapist, burnout specialist, and now our brilliant WIN online leader — came to a networking event in Woodbridge, we got chatting during speed networking, and within a couple of weeks we’d launched our first online session. I wasn’t sure what to expect. And what she created genuinely blew me away.
Sharon and I had the most honest conversation about online networking — what works, what doesn’t, who it’s for, and why I now firmly believe there’s a place for both. I’ve pulled out the best bits into this blog so you can decide whether it’s something worth giving a go.
Online networking isn’t a lesser version of in-person — it’s something different entirely
There’s a perception that online networking is what you do when you can’t do the ‘real thing.’ I used to think that too. But after attending our WIN online sessions, I’ve completely changed my view.
Online and in-person networking don’t compete with each other. They complement each other. They serve different needs, different moments, different people. And when you have access to both, you’re building connections in a way that’s so much richer than either one alone.
Think of it this way: every time someone sees you, hears from you, or connects with you, that’s a touch point. Marketing experts say it takes somewhere between twenty and thirty touch points before someone feels ready to buy from you. Our online events are one of the most natural ways to keep adding those touch points in between in-person events — without it feeling like you’re constantly selling.
Who is online networking actually for?
Honestly? It’s for everyone!
Networking newbies. If you’ve never been to a networking event and the idea of walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach flip, online is the perfect place to start. You get to meet our leaders, see how WIN works, and have real conversations — all from the comfort of your own home. We’ve had women come to an online session for the first time, and book their first in-person event the same evening. That’s the confidence it can give you.
Anyone with care responsibilities. Our online events run in the morning and the evening. If you’ve got children, elderly parents, or anyone else you’re caring for, you don’t have to arrange cover or travel anywhere. You just open your laptop. I’ve been on online sessions where I've put Clemmie to bed during the guest speaker talk and rejoined for the networking session afterwards. That flexibility is everything.
People with chronic illness or health conditions. If you have fibromyalgia, ME, or any condition that makes getting out of the house unpredictable, online networking means you’re never left out. On a bad day, you can still show up, still connect, still be visible in your business — without leaving the house.
Regular in-person networkers who want more. If you already come to WIN events and you want to deepen those relationships, online is brilliant for this. You’ve already met these women. Now you’re seeing them more regularly, continuing conversations, building on what’s already there.
Homeschooling parents. It’s not just babies and toddlers — if your children are with you during the day, online events mean they can be there too. Kids are always welcome.
How our online sessions actually work
One of the things I’m most proud of is that Sharon has managed to replicate the WIN experience online almost exactly. No standing up and pitching. No awkward introductions. Just real conversations in small groups.
Here’s what you can expect:
A warm welcome as you arrive. Sharon knows who’s booked on because she checks the directory before every session. She personally messages every attendee beforehand to say hello and make every person feel comfortable.. So you’re not just left wondering what to expect.
The same directory you’d get at an in-person event. You can see who’s coming, what they do, and their social media links before the session even starts. So when you log on, you already feel like you know people.
A guest speaker slot. Every session has a guest speaker — and because it’s online, Sharon has been able to bring in speakers from all over the country and beyond. One of her first guest speakers joined from Bali. The online format removes all geographical barriers.
Small group networking in breakout rooms. Just like at in-person events, you network in small groups — no pitching, no performing. Sharon has recently moved to a speed networking format with one-to-one conversations, which has been getting incredible feedback and leading to some brilliant collaborations.
A recording of the guest speaker. If you miss the guest speaker because life happens — kids need bed, dinner needs making — Sharon drops the recording into the group chat afterwards. You never miss out.
The collaborations that have come from online networking
I always say that you can’t go into one networking event expecting a client — but you absolutely can expect something to happen if you show up consistently. And our online sessions are proof of that.
One of our members is an indie author with her own self-published book. At an online WIN session, she mentioned it in conversation with Gemma — our Felixstowe leader — who said she had connections to Suffolk Libraries. That book is now in Suffolk Libraries. From one online networking session.
We also had a lady who was so nervous about networking that she started with our online sessions as a stepping stone. She built up her confidence there, came to an in-person event, and on the very same day booked to join The Success Circle. That journey started with one online session from her sofa.
These things happen because of genuine connection. Not pitching. No business card exchange.. Real conversations between real women who took the time to get to know each other.
Why social media alone isn’t enough anymore
Social media is incredibly noisy right now. People are overwhelmed by it, wary of it, and increasingly distrustful of it. I’ve had women tell me they believe ninety-five percent of Facebook ads are scams. That’s the environment we’re marketing in.
Networking — online or in-person — cuts through all of that. Because when you actually speak to someone, they get to know you. They hear your story. They understand what you do and why you do it in a way that no Instagram caption can ever fully convey. And when they need what you offer, or someone in their world does — they think of you.
Sharon is a grief therapist. She told me it’s really hard to talk about what she does in a post or a story. But in a networking conversation, she can share her story, explain her approach, and connect with people in a way that’s genuinely meaningful. Her client base has grown significantly since she started networking with WIN — and she attributes a lot of that to those real conversations.
Tips for getting the most out of online networking
Look at the directory before you join. Just like at an in-person event, do a little homework. See who’s coming. Note anyone you’d love to speak to. Walking into a Zoom room feeling like you recognise a few people makes a huge difference.
Turn your camera on if you can. You don’t have to — and nobody will make you feel bad if you don’t. But connection happens so much faster when people can see your face. And the good news? Nobody’s judging what’s behind you or what you’re wearing. Snuggly evening wear is absolutely fine.
Arrive a few minutes early. Just like in-person events, the few minutes before things officially start are where some of the best conversations happen. People are relaxed and just chatting.
Don’t worry if life interrupts. If you need to step away, pop in the chat and let everyone know. If the kids need you during the guest speaker, go — the recording will be shared afterwards. We’re all real people with real lives and everyone understands.
Follow up afterwards. This applies whether you’ve networked online or in-person — the follow-up is where the real magic happens. Send a message to anyone you had a great conversation with. Reference something specific. Suggest a virtual coffee. That’s how connections turn into relationships.
Use it as a stepping stone. If you’re nervous about in-person networking, start online. Get to know our leaders and some of our members. And when you do walk into your first in-person event, it won’t feel like a room full of strangers — because it won’t be.
Still on the fence?
I asked Sharon what she’d say to someone who’s a little sceptical about online networking and her answer was simple: just give it a go. What have you got to lose?
You come along, you see how it feels, and if it’s genuinely not for you — you can leave. But in all the sessions she’s run, that hasn’t happened once. Because when you’re welcomed properly, when the environment feels safe, and when the conversations are real — people stay. And they come back.
Whether you’re brand new to networking or you’ve been coming to WIN events for a while, there is something in our online sessions for you. Come in your pyjamas. Bring the kids. Have a cup of tea. And see what happens. 💛
Want to join us online?
Our online events run on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings. Find out more and book your spot at:
🌐 www.womeninspirednetwork/events
Want to hear more?
Sharon Buckley and I talk all about online networking vs. in person — how to get the most out of it and Sharon’s top tips to build connections online in the fourth official episode of the Women Inspired Networking Conversations podcast. Give it a listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
https://open.spotify.com/show/0DM7Ooc5nLezg4u91OklYo?si=1746c2480ad84795
👤 Facebook: Women Inspired Network: Networking For Women In Business
📸 Instagram: @women_inspired_network
🎙️ Podcast: Women Inspired Networking Conversations on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Where to find Sharon?
👤 Facebook: Women Navigating Life & Loss - Grief Support with Sharon Buckley
📸 Instagram: @theemotionalpainhealer
