Most people think of networking as mingling with new people and exchanging business cards at an event. This kind of networking—external networking—can certainly help you make solid connections. But it’s not the only kind of networking available to you. Depending on the size of your company, you can also network internally with your fellow colleagues and higher-level executives in other departments.

According to Victorio Duran III, the associate SEO director at RingCentral, networking internally can help your career in several ways. For example, when you know your colleagues well, you can often improve collaboration. You know where to go to find something or resolve an issue, and your coworkers know when to reach out to you. Networking internally can also boost your visibility, which may open doors to more responsibility or a promotion down the line.

Whether you are beginning a new job or you want to improve connections with those in your current organization, networking internally can help. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share Duran’s guidance on how to effectively network internally.

Just say hi. Take the initiative to greet those you see in the office or on Zoom calls. You don’t need to launch into any small talk—simply greet the other person and tell them your name. The next time you see them, say hello again.

Avoid networking over email. For the most effective internal networking, always aim to connect with others face to face. It’s about real human interaction, says Duran. If your office is still working mostly remote or using a hybrid schedule, video conferencing is a suitable alternative for in-person conversations. Just don’t count on email for networking, because you miss out on the human touch.

Give before you ask. Remember that every healthy relationship is based on give and take, Duran notes. When you want to build relationships internally, do your colleague a favor before you ask them for help. You don’t need to make a grand gesture to be remembered as someone helpful. Just aim to provide value, even if it’s just giving them a heads up about a meeting that just got rescheduled.

Supplement with social media. Another way to network internally is to connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn. You might also connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Just remember, notes Duran, that anything you post or repost online impacts your personal reputation. Avoid posting content that doesn’t align with the image you want to project.

Do what you say you’re going to do. If you offer to help a colleague with their workload, don’t drop the ball. They’re counting on you and if you fail to keep your word, the relationship will suffer. You can become known as a trustworthy and reliable colleague by honoring your commitments.

Pay it forward. When networking internally, look for ways to introduce new connections to others in your organization. This helps everyone grow their networks and become familiar with faces they may see around the office.

Keep on connecting. According to Duran, the most important aspect of internal networking is that it goes on perpetually. Networking isn’t simply meeting 10 or 20 new people and then closing yourself off to any additional connections. Keep greeting people, starting conversations and expanding your network.

Networking internally can help you meet people at all different levels in your organization. You may pass people in the hallway or see them on Zoom meetings but never really know what they do. Take the first step to introduce yourself. Then continue the dialogue. By aiming to be truly helpful to the other person, you can build a deeper relationship that can benefit you both.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Victorio Duran III is the associate SEO director at RingCentral.