Attending a networking event used to mean shaking hands, swapping business cards, and chatting over coffee or a meal. But in 2025, it looks a lot different. These days, people are building connections online. While LinkedIn, Slack, and WhatsApp are still common, networking now happens in places once considered purely social or entertainment-driven.
Discord groups, Telegram channels, and even multiplayer gaming communities now allow networking online to turn into something meaningful.
Consider Unconventional Networking Opportunities
Networking isn’t limited to just one place anymore. Professionals still use LinkedIn to connect, but they’re also joining Slack and Discord groups for more lively conversations. Apps like WhatsApp and Telegram help people talk about investments or work on creative projects together.
Gaming can be an unconventional space for people to conduct their networking activities. For instance, on several different Aviator game sites, you’ll find communities forming in real-time. Players chat during matches, share strategies, and build rapport without any formal introductions. These platforms would not be considered a traditional networking option, but it comes down to shared goals, communication, and trust.
What makes gaming such a good place for networking is how platforms like Discord and Twitch support it. For instance, hopping onto Discord servers brings communities together, participating in Twitch chats, or following subreddit threads. These platforms act like a portfolio, showing not just what you can do, but how you think, solve problems, and work with others.
Use Creator Collaboration as a Tool
The creator economy is a thriving space, projected to reach $500 billion by 2030. It has created another avenue for networking. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Substack allow individuals to build an audience, but they also encourage collaboration. A YouTuber might bring a guest onto a video, or two TikTok creators might work on a joint trend. These collaborations often end up resulting in ongoing partnerships.
Networking should feel organic through collaboration. Not only should it grow around shared creative ideas, but it also builds professional relationships started through cross-promotion or audience sharing.
Focus on Smaller, More Engaged Groups
If you prefer quality over quantity, consider looking at niche communities. Smaller groups are usually built around specific careers, industries, or shared interests. You’ll easily find these smaller groups on Reddit subreddits, startup Telegram channels, or private Slack workspaces, which often lead to deeper, more valuable connections.
These shouldn’t be about follow-for-follow spaces but rather a space where people exchange feedback, provide job leads, and maybe even be a space where business launches can start. The scale might be much smaller, but that’s exactly why the relationships work. When everyone shares a focused interest, conversations cut straight to the point, and that’s where real collaboration starts
Join Virtual and Hybrid Events
Conferences have also gone online in several different ways. Virtual events hosted on platforms like Spatial offer attendees the chance to socialize as avatars in a shared 3D space. These settings recreate some of the “hallway conversations” that in-person conferences are known for.
Hybrid events, which mix online and face-to-face participation, have become common, making it possible to meet contacts across continents while still building ties in local markets. For people who once struggled to travel, this new format opens the door to relationships they wouldn’t otherwise have. The combination of virtual interaction with occasional in-person follow-up helps connections feel less fleeting.
Start Conversations in Comment Sections
Not every connection needs to begin with a DM. Sometimes, it starts with a comment. Platforms like LinkedIn, Substack, and Twitter (now X) have thriving comment sections where smart replies often lead to real conversations. Instead of blasting out connection requests, engage with people’s ideas.
Ask a question, share a quick insight, or offer a thoughtful reaction. You’ll stand out more than you would in a crowded inbox. Over time, consistent engagement builds familiarity, and that makes a future direct message feel a lot more natural and welcome.
Use Newsletters to Build Two-Way Connections
Newsletters are becoming conversation starters. Many creators and professionals now write regular newsletters on platforms like Substack or Beehiiv and invite responses directly. Subscribers often reply with questions, feedback, or even collaboration ideas, and some writers take the time to respond personally.
If you do start your own, it can potentially attract like-minded people to you. If you subscribe to others, replying with something thoughtful is an easy, low-pressure way to open a door. It’s networking that feels more like correspondence, personal, quiet, and often more meaningful than a public post.
Learn and Connect Through Online Courses
Online courses are traditionally for upskilling, but they are also active community spaces. Platforms like Maven, Coursera, and On Deck often include live cohorts, breakout rooms, and private discussion forums. This allows professionals to get together from across the globe with similar goals and interests.
When you ask questions, join group projects, or even help others troubleshoot, you’re building credibility and visibility, without ever calling it networking. These spaces can be great for finding collaborators, mentors, or even future clients. Some of the strongest professional ties now start in a virtual classroom.
Create Something and Invite Others In
Sometimes the best way to network is to start something yourself. Launch a project, host a virtual meetup, or create a shared resource, then invite others to be part of it. People are more likely to engage when there’s something to participate in, not just talk about. Whether it’s a simple Notion directory or a small podcast, giving others a reason to connect around your work builds stronger relationships, maybe even future collaborations. You don’t need a huge following. You just need a clear idea and a way for others to join in. Initiative often attracts the right people.
