Virtual connections are good, but true face time is even better for impressing potential clients and employers. To make a real impact:

Zoom in.
If you’re seeking job leads, meet people in particular industries by making time to attend targeted events and conferences. Want to grow your business? Find possible clients or partners by networking with existing ones for referrals. Set up lunches or coffees. Have business cards on hand to pass out, but also remember that the best connections are forged when you show a genuine interest in people. So try to find a common ground.

Be generous.
Business connecting is a two-way street, so you need to offer even as you seek. Generous networking is when you give something to the other person—an idea, an article, a thank-you. In a similar vein, you sometimes need to simply reach out without requirement that the other person respond or give you anything. For a job seeker, this means making cordial contact without asking about your search status or potential leads.

Stay connected.
Connections are built over time, so be proactive about making repeated contact. Build networking into your day-to-day so you have an ongoing base and you’re not just reaching out when you need something. Set aside a few minutes each week to connect to someone you haven’t spoken to recently. Join professional groups and associations in your field that have regular meetings to give you structured face-to-face networking time.

Source: Caroline Ceniza-Levine, founder of SixFigureStart career coaching (sixfigurestart.com) in New York City.