The way we interact with each other has changed drastically. We’ve all felt this to some degree in our personal lives, but what’s most interesting to me is how the pandemic has affected entrepreneurs — specifically how they network. Networking is one of the most important entrepreneurial skills to develop, and it can have a huge effect on your ability to grow your business. Let’s take a quick look at how entrepreneurs can improve their networking skills post-Covid. Related: How the Health Crisis Will Change Socializing in Business Settings Rethink your networking goals What comes to mind when you think of networking? You’re likely imagining some business conference or local meetup that you would attend to prospect for new clients. While these are “networking events,” most people aren’t there to network — they’re there to sell. They have ulterior motives, and the interactions tend to feel disingenuous. Unfortunately, this sales-first mentality is what many people associate with networking. Even when traditional networking events were being canceled or moved digitally, people have still been finding ways to give networking a bad name. If you have an active LinkedIn profile, you know this all too well. Your inbox is probably inundated with people looking to connect — only to pitch you their business as soon as you accept. To network better, it starts with rethinking your networking goals. Your intentions should not be sales, but rather relationship building. Networking is a way for like-minded, interesting and curious people to connect and engage with each other. This should also be your goal, even as an entrepreneur. When you stop focusing on selling and start building genuine relationships, you’ll likely find more business success. Related: 3 Ways to Connect and Build Business Relationships With Anyone Know where to network online When I was young, I played poker professionally. I used to go online to learn techniques and strategies to improve my game. I also looked for mentors to help me become a better player. One of the best places I found was an online poker forum. I was able to post questions, interact with discussion threads, and connect with other players, growing my knowledge and network. I was successful at networking mostly because of the platform. Had I been putting my energy into other channels with a less targeted community, I may not have seen the same results. This example holds true to this day, except now there are even more options. Should you put your energy into Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Forums, LinkedIn or another networking site? The answer will vary depending on your business and interest. If you sell a physical product and want to network with potential influencers, consider working on visual apps like Instagram or TikTok. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for business connections, maybe you want to spend time on LinkedIn, join a Facebook group or connect with business experts directly. The idea is to find which online platform makes the most sense to you and your interests. Don’t be afraid to try something different for a few days or weeks. The internet is filled with diverse and valuable sub-communities, so you could end up stumbling into a great resource if you look hard enough. Related: How Networking and Relationships Propel Entrepreneurs to Succeed Build your digital footprint Amid the lockdown, people took to the internet and particularly social media to connect with the world. In fact, the average time spent on social media in 2020 increased by seven