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Are you tired of being overlooked at networking events and searching for ways to get noticed in a crowded room? Or maybe you want to sharpen interpersonal skills and communicate more effectively with key decision-makers?
Consider an online networking course to help you become a better networker and get the results you’ve wanted in your career or business. Let Benzinga help you find a class that suits your skills, budget and busy lifestyle.
Quick Look: Best Networking Courses
Here a quick look at Benzinga’s top picks:
- Get Started with Business Networking Basics in One Hour by Udemy
- Networking-To-Go: A Step-by-Step Guide to Grow Your Network! by Skillshare
- Professional Networking by LinkedIn Learning
- Personal/ Business Networking Skills for Maximum Success! by Udemy
- How to Network for Introverts – (Updated for COVID-19) by Udemy
- Successful Networking by LinkedIn Learning
- Networking Necessities, Niceties and No-Nos by Udemy
- How to Network Like a Pro: Attract More Clients by Udemy
- Networking Growth Hacks: Take Your Career to the Next Level by Udemy
What Makes a Networking Course Great?
Wondering what makes a networking course worthy of your time and money? Here are some factors to consider as you evaluate your options.
Led by an Experienced Instructor
You want an instructor that’s well-versed in networking, has experience coaching others and getting results. Take a look at the instructor’s biography and LinkedIn profile to learn more about that individual’s professional background. It’s also a good idea to read reviews from past and current students to get a feel for the instructor’s teaching style.
Includes Supplementary Resources
The best networking courses include a combination of video lectures, supplementary readings, projects, assignments and quizzes. Not all are required to get the most from your online learning experience. However, make sure the instructor offers more than just a few dull lectures to teach the material.
Affordable
Why spend a fortune on a networking course when there are free and low-cost options? Only consider classes that fit your budget and level up to more pricey selections as you free up disposable income.
Our Top Picks
Here are the best online networking courses from edX, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare and Udemy.
Look for classes categorized by skill level — beginners, intermediate students and advanced students. We’ve also included a description and price point with each course to facilitate the decision-making process.
Networking Courses for Beginners
If business networking is new to you, these beginner courses will bring you up to speed on the basics in record time.
1. Get Started with Business Networking Basics in One Hour by Udemy
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: On sale
Master the essentials of networking in just 1 hour. This highly-rated course from Udemy will show you how. The class, perfect for career professionals with minimal networking experience, helps entrepreneurs and salespeople who want to forge valuable connections and build their network.
You will learn how to craft the perfect introduction, minimize the nervous energy that arises when you meet new people and become more confident when approaching others.
Get Started with Business Networking Basics in One Hour is led by networking expert Eric Byrd and includes the following modules:
- Free Lesson Preview
- The Power of Networking
- The 4 Keys to Professional Networking
- Free Resource – Adventures in Networking Podcast
Register today for full lifetime access to 1.5 hours of on-demand video, 1 article and 1 downloadable resource.
2. Networking-To-Go: A Step-by-Step Guide to Grow Your Network! By Skillshare
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Free
Networking-To-Go: A Step-by-Step Guide to Grow Your Network! is the perfect fit for career professionals and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to network more effectively.
It spans a little over 1.5 hours and includes the following in-depth lessons:
- Reasons Why Networking is to Your Advantage
- Fundamentals to Networking
- 5 Steps to Prepare for a Networking Event
- Body Language
- What to Wear at a Networking Event
- 10 Essential Phrases
- Practice 1
- 4-Step Follow-Up
- Practice 2
- The Exchange
- 6 Places to Meet Influencers
- Practice 3
- 4 Concept Recap
This free course is led by networking guru Dylan Schettler-Moncus.
3. Professional Networking by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Included with the monthly membership
Former presidential campaign spokeswoman Dorie Clark brings you this introductory course on networking to help sharpen your skills. You will discover ways to use your strengths to network more effectively, prioritize contacts, forge meaningful connections, network on social media, host events and so much more.
You can take:
- Networking with Integrity
- Networking in Person
- Networking Online
Watch the series of video lectures. All you need is 30 minutes to complete the course, and there’s no cost to enroll if you have a monthly LinkedIn membership.
Not yet a member? Register for a 1-month trial to get started for free.
Intermediate Networking Courses
These intermediate courses move beyond the basics of networking to show you how to get the desired results each time you attend networking events or make contact with individuals in your professional network.
4. Personal/Business Networking Skills for Maximum Success! by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: On sale
Propel your career to the next level with the guidance provided in this intermediate course.
Co-facilitated by university professor Paul Cline and performance marketer Sandor Kiss, Personal/Business Networking Skills for Maximum Success! features 8 insightful lectures:
- Why Is Networking Powerful?
- Networking Paradigm Shifts
- You’ve Got to Give to Get
- The Power of “Likeability”
- Making the Connection
- Great Places to Network
- The Power of Mentors
- Bonus Lecture: Discounted Coupons
Take advantage of the limited-time promotional pricing. The enrollment fee gives you instant access to 1 hour of on-demand video and 1 downloadable resource. You will also receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course.
5. How to Network for Introverts – (Updated for COVID-19) by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: On sale
Does the thought of networking at events make you nervous? You can shed your fears for good and network with confidence by implementing the strategies presented in this highly-rated course from Udemy.
Networking expert Robert G. teaches you how to develop a networking plan and goal for each event, begin conversations with ease and follow up with contacts. He also shows you how to find the most suitable events for you.
How to Network for Introverts – (Updated for COVID-19) includes 7 components:
- Introduction
- Before the Event
- At the Event
- After the Event
- Extras
- Update for Coronavirus
- Thank You! (Plus Bonus Resources)
When you register today, you will get instant access to 23 lectures condensed into 1.5 hours of on-demand video and 1 downloadable resource.
6. Successful Networking by LinkedIn Learning
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: Included with the monthly membership
Are you seeking ways to network more successfully? In just 30 minutes, facilitator Aimee Bateman teaches you how to leverage the power of networking in any setting to make valuable connections that can benefit you for years to come.
Successful Networking is presented by Careercake and includes the following core lessons:
- Emotional intelligence
- Your personal brand
- How to make a lasting impression
- Why introverts make great networkers
- The good stuff
Register today for free if you have a monthly LinkedIn membership. You can also grab a free seat in the course by signing up for a 1-month trial.
Advanced Networking Courses
Want to position yourself for career advancement opportunities? Consider these courses that will introduce you to hacks to higher-level networking hacks.
7. Networking Necessities: Niceties and No-Nos by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
Networking Necessities, Niceties and No-Nos dives into practical strategies you can use to determine which networking events are the most effective and what it takes to get maximum results when you attend. It features 7 lectures condensed into 41 minutes of on-demand video and 2 downloadable resources.
Here’s a list of the video lessons you will have access to when you enroll:
- Introduction to Business Networking
- Business Networking Necessities
- Business Networking Niceties
- Business Networking No-Nos
- Business Networking Success Factors
- Business Networking Resources
- Slide Downloads
Jon Turino, power networker and marketing strategy consultant, teaches the course.
8. How to Network Like a Pro: Attract More Clients by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
You can learn how to network as professionals do without investing a ton of time and money. Consider this highly-rated Udemy course to show you the ropes.
How to Network Like a Pro: Attract More Clients is instructed by networking guru Becca Niederkrom and includes lessons on developing your customer avatar, networking if you’re an introvert, identifying suitable networking groups, building your 30-second commercial and so much more.
Here’s a quick look at the course syllabus:
- Preparation
- The Networking Strategies
- Overcoming Challenges in Networking
- Post-Networking Activities
- Bonus Resources
You can take advantage of the discounted enrollment fee by signing up today. It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you will get instant access to 2 hours on-demand video, 3 articles and 9 downloadable resources.
9. Networking Growth Hacks: Take Your Career to the Next Level by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: On sale
Join over 12,000 students who’ve enrolled in this bestselling course to learn advanced networking tactics that can soar their career to new heights. It’s co-facilitated by Dragos Stefanescu and Jimmy Naraine and includes 3.5 hours on-demand video and 1 downloadable resource.
Networking Growth Hacks: Take Your Career to the Next Level consists of 41 lectures that are categorized as follows:
- Introduction
- Networking Skills by Chris Haroun
- Networking and Social Skills by Jimmy Naraine
- Social Media Networking by Dragos Stefanescu
- Conclusion
- Bonus Materials
Enroll with confidence knowing the course comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
Find the Right Networking Course for You
Don’t shy away from networking with others the next time an opportunity arises. Instead, start preparing right now to network with a course from our list of top selections. They’re led by experienced instructors who understand how challenging networking can be and share tips to make it easier and more comfortable for you.
Enroll today at a price you can afford.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community