As a communications professional and graphic design freelancer, networking is definitely important because these connections can bring me new opportunities and knowledge.
Although I haven’t gone full force on my networking, I do have a game plan to expand it.
Online professional network
So far, my communications online network is heavily based on LinkedIn – a great number of former colleagues, former managers and even strangers in the comms field. On the graphic design side of things, my network really started off with friends and then mutuals through either word of mouth or social media (Instagram). Instagram helped a lot because the platform does suggest people to follow, and the hashtags help with the expansion.
In order to continue to expand this online network, I am thinking that I should actually interact with the people I make connections with. Activity-wise, I think it would be worth looking for virtual conferences or webinars that are geared toward communications professionals and/or digital arts.
In person
My in person professional network, for both communications and graphic design currently consists of former colleagues, friends and mutuals. The main way I have come to expand my network in person is by cultivating positive relationships with colleagues at different workplaces. By doing that, they often keep me in mind when they come across something that may relevant to me (ex. a job opportunity, freelancing opportunity, new tools, etc.). As mentioned on the online side of my networking, I could attend in person conferences to meet new people. I also think that art workshops, art related events could help me find people alike.