How to Network at Online Professional Events in the UK
Online events — virtual conferences, webinars, online roundtables, and digital networking evenings — became fixtures during the pandemic and remain a significant part of UK professional life. They are more accessible (no travel, often lower cost) but require different approaches to networking than in-person events.
Why Online Events Are Different
In person, you can approach someone physically, read body language clearly, have side conversations, and continue networking at the post-event drinks. Online, all of this is more effortful or impossible.
The result: most online event networking is worse than its in-person equivalent — not because the people are not there, but because the format makes connection harder.
Knowing this, and compensating for it deliberately, puts you ahead.
Before the Event
Research who will be there
Many online events publish attendee lists, speaker profiles, or LinkedIn event pages showing who is registered. Identify five to ten people you would specifically like to connect with and prepare something specific to say to each of them.
Prepare your profile
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete and current — you are more likely to connect with people online than exchange business cards, and they will look at your profile.
Download the platform
Zoom, Teams, Hopin, Airmeet — ensure the platform is installed and working before the event starts. Technical problems at the start of an online event create a poor impression and cause you to miss the early networking window.
During the Event
Use the chat function actively
The chat is the equivalent of a networking conversation at an in-person event. Ask questions. Make observations. Respond to others. A thoughtful comment in the event chat is visible to hundreds of other attendees.
Send connection requests during the event
If you identify someone you want to connect with, send a LinkedIn connection request during the event: "Hi [Name] — I am also attending [event] today and your question about [topic] was exactly what I was thinking. Would love to connect."
Use the virtual networking features
Many platforms have virtual networking rooms, speed networking, or breakout sessions. Use these actively — they exist specifically to replicate the informal conversation of in-person events.
Attend the Q&A and speak up
Asking a thoughtful question during a Q&A puts your name and question in front of the entire audience. If you have something specific to add or ask, do it.
After the Event
The follow-up after an online event is more important than after an in-person one, because the lack of physical presence means connections fade faster.
Within twenty-four hours:
- Connect on LinkedIn with anyone you identified during the event
- Message anyone you specifically interacted with: "Hi [Name] — I noticed your comment in the chat about [topic] during [event] — it resonated with me. Would love to continue that conversation."
- If speakers or panellists made points you found particularly valuable, send them a brief message saying so
Building Relationships Through Regular Online Communities
One of the advantages of online networking is the ability to participate in communities that meet regularly: monthly webinars, weekly online meetups, recurring discussion groups. Showing up consistently builds recognition over time in a way that a single in-person event cannot.
Identify one or two relevant recurring online communities in your sector and participate regularly over months. The people in those communities will come to know your name and perspective.
The Hybrid Reality
Many professional events in the UK now offer hybrid options — in-person attendance with online streaming. If you can attend in person, the networking is typically better. If in-person is not possible, the online option remains valuable — particularly with deliberate use of the chat, follow-up, and any virtual networking features.
Use CVCircuit to build a CV that is ready whenever your online networking generates a real opportunity — so you can move quickly from conversation to application.