How to network with people in virtual conferences? After the coronavirus pandemic, most conferences have switched to the virtual mode and it is most likely that this will be the norm for some time now. I understand that networking will be much harder in this setting and that is a major let down for researchers/graduate students especially the ones starting out fresh. 

What do you suggest are the best ways to optimize one's experience of attending and presenting in a virtual conference? If some of you have already attended any such conferences in recent months, it would be great if you could share your experience, preferably with a little more focus on the networking aspect of it!
How to network with people in virtual conferences?


There are no methods that actually work.  

You can present your work, including your contact information.  But you were doing this anyway, since it is the same as in-person conferences.

You can try asking questions during the conference.  Most of the time, most of the questions are not answered, and most people do not know who asked them.

You can network using non-conference methods based on what you learned from the conference.  For example, send emails to other participants.