Based on the responses from industry leaders, it is clear that online networking has evolved beyond cold emails and generic connection requests. By leveraging strategic commenting, niche communities, and value-first content, many professionals are finding digital networking even more effective than traditional in-person events.
Here is a compilation of expert insights on the online networking techniques that are driving real results today.
The “Value-First” Commenting Strategy
Many experts agree that the most scalable and effective method is not posting original content, but engaging deeply with the content of others.
Joe Spisak, CEO, Fulfill.com
“The most effective online networking technique I’ve used is what I call strategic value-first commenting on LinkedIn… Instead of posting content or sending cold connection requests, I spend 20 minutes each morning identifying 5-10 posts from people I want to connect with… I leave substantive comments that add genuine value, not just ‘Great post!’ but actual insights from my experience… That single comment led to a 45-minute call, which turned into a partnership that brought 12 new brands to our platform.”
Kseniia Andriienko, Digital Marketer, JPGtoPNGHero
“One online networking technique that has worked just as well as in-person networking for me is what I call ‘micro-collisions.’ Instead of sending long intros or pitching myself, I drop short, specific comments on people’s posts that show I actually paid attention… It works because it feels like bumping into someone in the hallway, but digitally. No pressure, no formality, just genuine curiosity.”
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen Digital Signage Software
“One online networking technique that has worked as well as in person for me is consistent public commenting on other people’s work with real substance… I pick a small set of people I genuinely respect or want to learn from and I engage with their posts two or three times a week… It is effective because it builds familiarity and trust before any direct ask happens.”
Kevin Baragona, Founder, Deep AI
“Strategic value posting on LinkedIn is one strategy that has consistently outperformed in-person networking… Commenting on posts by industry leaders positions me as someone who actually knows the field. My insights quickly reach second- and third-degree connections… This technique has helped me network more effectively than attending in-person events.”
Jody Leon, VP of Marketing, DSMN8
“Commenting thoughtfully on LinkedIn posts has opened more doors for me than most events. It’s low-effort, high-visibility, and lets people get a feel for your thinking before you even connect. It positions you as someone who adds value without asking for anything.”
Ankit Sarawagi, Promoter, Profitjets
“I lean on steady, mindful engagement on LinkedIn. Nothing loud. I follow a small circle of people I genuinely admire. When they share something thoughtful, I add a comment that shows I spent a moment with their idea… In person, a conversation ends when you leave the room. Online, the conversation grows a little every week.”
Vipul Gupta, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist, VIABLE SYNERGY
“Instead of immediately sending connection requests or pitching services, I focus on adding value in the comment sections of industry-relevant posts… By offering well-informed insights or asking smart follow-up questions, I establish credibility and visibility organically.”
Evan Tunis, President, Florida Healthcare Insurance
“One online networking strategy that seems to be effective is having quality conversations on LinkedIn. Through thoughtful commenting on posts, by sharing insights or asking questions, you can form real connections without even meeting face to face.”
Alex Smereczniak, Co-Founder & CEO, Franzy
“Instead of just sending connection requests, I focus on commenting on posts, sharing insights, and participating in conversations that matter to my audience… By engaging meaningfully, you build credibility, stay visible, and create opportunities to connect that feel natural rather than forced.”
Providing Specific Solutions & “Teardowns”
Moving beyond general advice to specific, actionable help or critique is a powerful way to demonstrate competence immediately.
Raphael Larouche, Founder & SEO Specialist, seomontreal.io
“People online don’t really care who you are, and they’re usually busy. So instead of trying to ‘network,’ I lead with something useful… I’ll message someone on LinkedIn and say something simple like, ‘Your page is missing an H1, you could probably rank higher if you fix that.’ There’s no pitch, just a quick win they can use… Easily 70% of my online connections came from unasked help that actually solved something.”
Ahmad Faiz, Owner, Achilles Roofing and Exteriors
“The one technique that works better than in-person networking is the Hands-on ‘Structural Problem Audit’ Exchange… I research a potential contact’s business to identify a verifiable, public structural weakness (e.g., an outdated website or a specific, high-cost operational challenge). I then initiate contact with a concise, non-abstract, hands-on structural insight that only my expertise can provide… This is effective because it forces the relationship to be built immediately on verifiable competence.”
Justin Bonfini, Account Executive, Premier Construction Software
“One online networking move that’s worked just as well as in-person for me is sending short, specific debriefs after someone shares a problem publicly… If a PM, founder, or ops lead posts about a workflow that’s breaking, I’ll send a quick note walking through how I’ve seen other teams solve the same issue. No pitch. No ask.”
Flavia Estrada, Business Owner, Co-Wear LLC
“The online networking technique that works as well as, or better than, in-person networking is the ‘Strategic, Competence-Focused Critique.’… I send a direct message pointing out a specific flaw in their proposed solution or offering one highly actionable, simple fix… I don’t ask for a meeting; I just drop the competence and leave.”
Pratik Singh Raguwanshi, Team Leader Digital Experience, CISIN
“The best online networking technique I’ve used is what I call problem-first outreach on LinkedIn. Instead of cold introductions, I share a short teardown of a real workflow issue – AI adoption gaps, UX friction, data quality problems – and tag people who’ve worked on similar challenges.”
Eric Turney, President / Sales and Marketing Director, The Monterey Company
“We love LinkedIn DMs with a no-ask offer. I reply to relevant posts with something useful (a template, mockup, or youtube video), then DM a personalized version… It works like a warm intro because they’ve already seen value publicly.”
Niche Groups and Digital Communities
Smaller, focused groups often yield higher engagement than broad social feeds.
Fahad Khan, Digital Marketing Manager, Ubuy Sweden
“One online networking move that has actually outperformed my awkward attempts at in-person mingling is joining small, topic-specific LinkedIn groups and treating them like tiny digital villages… I pick a group where the conversations are oddly focused… It’s effective because the environment is intimate enough that you don’t get lost in the noise but professional enough that people are actually there to connect.”
Jens Hagel, CEO, hagel IT-Services GmbH
“Active participation in niche LinkedIn Groups has been more effective than many in-person events. I joined a group for legal tech professionals and focused on contributing to discussions rather than self-promotion.”
Jason Hennessey, CEO, Hennessey Digital
“Our networking breakthrough came from creating private learning groups on LinkedIn and Discord. These spaces foster genuine connection through mentorship and collaboration, not competition or performance… It’s networking built on contribution, transforming digital interaction into long-term community.”
Nick Elo, Founder, Fast Vegas Home Buyers
“One online networking technique that consistently brings results is engaging in real estate forums and specialized online communities… I often share insights on renovation challenges or market trends, and by offering value, I’ve had contractors and even potential sellers reach out directly.”
Joe Hartman, Managing Member, Perry Hall Investment Group
“I’ve had remarkable success using local Facebook real estate and investor groups, but with a specific strategy–I focus on sharing detailed case studies from our actual PHIG deals rather than just giving generic advice… This storytelling approach has led to direct referrals from other group members.”
Chris Mignone, Co-Founder, Madison County House Buyers
“One online networking method that’s really worked for me is hosting short ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions on Facebook Live in local homeowner and investor groups… Those sessions naturally lead to follow-up conversations and referrals because people see me as a real person genuinely trying to help.”
Content as a Conversation Starter
Sharing operational insights and “talking shop” allows the right network to self-select and come to you.
Glenn Orloff, CEO, Metropolitan Shuttle
“The most effective online networking technique I’ve used is sharing a small operational insight on LinkedIn and inviting others to react to it. It works better than some in-person events because the right people self-select… Show one useful step, and people who can use it usually reach out.”
Neil Webzell, CEO, Trafalgar Wireless
“One online networking technique that’s worked as well as in-person for me is posting short breakdowns of real problems on LinkedIn, then inviting people to add their version of the same issue… The comment threads turn into real conversations with ops leaders, CFOs, and IT directors. It works because you’re not pitching, you’re diagnosing.”
Alejandro Meyerhans, CEO, Get Me Links
“One online networking technique that consistently outperforms in-person events is leveraging LinkedIn to build authority through high-value content paired with strategic connections… Sharing case studies and behind-the-scenes successes online can spark meaningful conversations and lead to opportunities that no casual coffee meeting could match.”
Dimitar Dechev, CEO, Super Brothers Plumbing Heating & Air
“We share brief project summaries about real-world challenges we’ve solved… This kind of content attracts the right connections who then start direct conversations through comments or messages… This approach works for us because it highlights actual field-based activities.”
Hans Graubard, COO & Cofounder, Happy V
“LinkedIn serves as an excellent platform for establishing meaningful professional connections… A single well-thought-out comment on technical content often sparks more valuable discussions than spending an entire day at a trade show.”
Dennis Consorte, Data Scientist, Digital Marketing & Leadership Consultant for Startups, Consorte Marketing
“I’ve found that offering free Zoom training sessions and promoting them on LinkedIn and social media has been highly effective for online networking… This approach has successfully helped me build my network and grow my social media following while providing genuine value to others.”
Josh Qian, COO and Co-Founder, LINQ Kitchen formerly BestOnlineCabinets
“Working with thought leaders in the home improvement industry as co-presenters for online events or as content creators has delivered great results for us… Through strategic partnerships, I create not just connections but also valuable content that resonates with both our audiences.”
Personalized Direct Outreach
When moving to direct messages, personalization and relevance are the keys to avoiding the “spam” filter.
John Mac, Founder, OPENBATT
“One online networking technique that has worked as well as… traditional events is starting intentional one-to-one conversations on LinkedIn. Instead of blasting connection requests, I reach out to people whose work I genuinely respect and send a short message highlighting something specific they’ve created… That simple shift – from ‘I want something from you’ to ‘I value something you’ve done’ -opens doors.”
Marta Verma, Business Partnerships Manager, SupportYourApp
“I’ve found the best way to really make connections online happens on LinkedIn when you take a personal, not salesy, approach… Something like, ‘Hey [Name], I really enjoyed your recent post about [topic]. I’d love to connect and swap ideas.’ It’s simple, genuine, and sparks real conversations.”
Andrew Phelps, Owner, San Diego Service Group
“One of the most effective ways to network online… is by sending messages based on value rather than ‘let’s connect’ messages… Connecting directly to their shared interest is key to forming relationships on social media platforms.”
Tom OBrien, CEO, DRM Healthcare
“Our process of clinic founder partnership development involves creating a list of essential decision-makers whom we contact with messages that highlight our shared interests… Building trust through in-person meetings is still important, but LinkedIn allows us to get those meaningful conversations started much earlier.”
Karen Canham, Entrepreneur/Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Karen Ann Wellness
“One technique that has really worked for me is naming specific pain points that my audience faces, like late-night worries or the fear of losing momentum. This approach makes people feel truly understood, which opens the door to genuine connection.”
Phil Cartwright, Head of Business Development, Octopus International Business Services Ltd
“I achieve consistent results through individualized direct outreach on LinkedIn by researching decision-makers who need help with cross-border structuring problems… I start direct conversations with these professionals by linking their current situation to their existing knowledge base.”
Damien Zouaoui, Co-Founder, Oakwell Beer Spa
“Instagram DMs have proven to be an effective way for me to connect with people in a personal manner… For example, a wellness influencer shared her experience about beer spas in Europe… I responded with a casual message–no sales pitch… The approach worked because I treated the interaction like a genuine dialogue rather than trying to make a sale.”
The Human Touch: Voice and Audio
Using voice notes can break through the impersonal nature of text-based networking.
Jason Velie, Owner, Cape Fear Cash Offer
“I’ve built some of my strongest business relationships through LinkedIn by sending voice messages instead of text… I’ll record a quick 30-second audio note mentioning something specific about their recent post or achievement… It feels more personal and genuine than typing, and people remember the effort.”
Julia Pukhalskaia, CEO, Mermaid Way
“The way I interact with Instagram voice notes revolutionized my entire experience. I started using voice messages to respond to DMs instead of typing because I wanted to share my authentic voice… This reintroduced emotional depth into digital communication… Some of my most meaningful partnerships and friendships have developed through these simple, unscripted voice messages.”
Collaboration, Context, and the Long Game
Finally, many experts emphasize that networking is about collaboration and patience, not immediate transactions.
Aaron Whittaker, VP of Demand Generation & Marketing, Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
“I use the ‘invite-forward approach.’ When I have experts who are extremely strong, I will invite them to our company to give a talk… This creates genuine ‘connections’ as opposed to mere networking and changes connections from connecting to working together… The purpose of this approach is to shift the focus from connection to COLLABORATION.”
Marc Bishop, Director, Wytlabs
“We’ve turned customer feedback sessions into networking opportunities across our client ecosystem. By gathering leaders for shared discussions, we created connection through transparency and insight exchange… Clients connected with each other while discovering shared challenges and innovations collectively.”
Niclas Schlopsna, Managing Partner, spectup
“One online networking technique that has proven as effective, if not more than in-person networking is targeted LinkedIn engagement combined with thoughtful content contribution… The broader lesson is that online networking isn’t just about connections, it’s about creating a reputation that precedes you.”
Brandon Caputo, Owner, Honeycomb Heating and Cooling
“For a service business like Honeycomb Air, the single best online networking technique that matches in-person connections is focusing heavily on LinkedIn’s local business community… It works better than traditional networking events because it gives you context on a person’s experience before you ever send a message… This allows you to personalize your approach based on genuine mutual need or interest.”
Matt Bowman, Founder, Thrive Local
“Instead of sending cold messages or pursuing high-pressure introductions, I build small relationships gradually, layering on connections over time. It’s the digital equivalent of a polite nod at a conference – you’re not cornering them for a conversation, just beetling about enough to be remembered… All those light touches add up over time and transform into real professional relationships.”
Fred McGill Jr, Owner, Bray Electrical
“One of the effective online networking strategies that has worked well for me… is to send value-driven messages to people after they’ve engaged with my content… It works because it feels organic, not transactional. You’re entering a conversation that they already started.”
Final Takeaways for Readers
If you want to leverage online networking strategy potentially, here’s a simple roadmap inspired by these experts:
- Pick your main arena (likely LinkedIn).
You can still leverage Instagram, Facebook groups, forums, and Discord but have one home base where your professional identity lives. - Treat comments as your primary networking tool.
- Aim for 5-10 thoughtful comments per day.
- Be specific, contextual, and genuinely curious.
- Let comments lead naturally to DMs, not the other way around.
- Lead with one small, concrete win.
- A quick audit
- A structural insight
- A case study
- A framework or checklist
Whatever your skill is, demonstrate it in a tiny, practical way.
- Use DMs to deepen, not to pitch.
- Refer to something specific they posted.
- Offer help, context, or a resource.
- Only suggest calls or collaborations once there’s a foundation of trust.
- Leverage groups and “tiny digital villages.”
Join 1-3 niche communities where your ideal peers or clients hang out. Show up regularly with answers, questions, and stories. - Experiment with richer formats.
Try one of:- A voice note
- A short live Q&A
- A free micro-training
- A private learning circle
- Play the long game.
Build a visible trail of value so your reputation precedes you. As Niclas and others pointed out, inbound opportunities often come months after the first interaction.
If there’s one line that captures the spirit of all these stories, it’s this:
“Online networking becomes powerful when you treat it like building friendships instead of chasing contacts.”
Use that as your filter.
If an action feels like chasing, rethink it.
If it feels like helping, learning, or collaborating – it’s probably the right move.
