What are two effective methods for building a professional network?

Building a professional network is essential for career growth, and attending industry events combined with utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn is an effective approach. Attending industry events provides opportunities to meet face-to-face with professionals in your field, engage in discussions, and establish personal connections that can lead to future collaborations or job opportunities. These interactions often help create a lasting impression, which is invaluable in professional networking.

On the other hand, utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn is equally important as it allows for continuous engagement and connection with a broader audience. LinkedIn is specifically designed for professional networking, enabling individuals to share their accomplishments, seek advice, and join industry-related groups. This dual approach of in-person interaction and online presence effectively expands one's professional network, making it well-rounded and dynamic.

The other choices suggest methods that may not be as effective or comprehensive. For example, relying solely on family for networking limits exposure to diverse professional insights and opportunities. Sending mass emails can come across as impersonal and may not result in meaningful connections. Similarly, while cold calling can be a strategy, it lacks the personal touch that face-to-face interaction and established platforms provide, making it less effective.