Hey YOU! Are You Networking?!

Networking.

Everyone knows the concept, but the key to successful networking is more of a talent than an occurrence. Many believe that networking is simply collecting and dispensing business cards and an exchange of words to, well, let’s face it, further their agenda. Although these techniques have been successful in the past for those who have used it, there are alternatives that have presented themselves and those who take advantage of them do not only grow their network but are also able to target their networks more than was previously possible.

Social Media

Welcome to the world of Social Media. A “world of networks”. Social Media Sites (SNS) such as Linkedin have proven successful in establishing ways for professionals in this global society to not only “connect” with one another but also to find other “connections” through their initial contact. Six Degrees of Separation seems outdated when considering Social Media and its benefits to those who take the time to establish their networks.

There are important things to consider, however, when using SNS’s to grow your network.

1. Everyone you know is included in your network (Family, relatives, friends, professors, coaches, former bosses, friends, parents, collegues, etc.). Use it to your advantage!! You never know who knows who, not to mention who knows who from who’s connection. Making connections can produce a ripple effect. For every person you build a relationship with, that person has relationships with 20 other potential connections and each of those another 20 and so on…. Not to mention, the people who are closest to you know you best. They can tout your positive characteristics, not to mention confirm them, which could make all the difference. A great way to use this to your advantage is to get those connections to “recommend” you on Linkedin. Employers and future connections alike do read them, why not show off?
2. An “online” network is not the same as meeting people face-to-face. However! When you have met someone face-to-face and connect with them through a form of social media, you have that connection for the entirety of your online presence. You can see what they are doing, what they report on, what they are involved in, not to mention their connections! Scurry up those business cards folks! I bet most of those names on those cards you have stuffed into your wallets are on Linkedin.
3. “Do for me, I do for you” has become a popular approach within SNS’s. If you give a raving recommendation for someone, they will feel more inclined to not only write one for you, but also to give you an outstanding one in return.
4. Join Groups! Linkedin Groups are the backdoor to successful Linkedin networking. Linkedin allows you to contact anyone with a group you are in (unless they themselves manually turn off the feature) without having to use an In-Mail. This is a great way to grow your network. Just like you would go up to someone to meet them or call them over the phone, Linkedin can be used to send them a quick message. In this digital age, people are more inclined to write back a small note on Linkedin than returning your call anyway.
5. SNS’s, especially Linkedin, give you information Google wont. I personally love this feature. Imagine you need to find a high ranking individual’s name within a company. You may know the position but who really knows the name? Linkedin does! Even those out of your network (meaning those not connected to you or your connections) will be shown. This means that you can find any contact’s information by simply knowing the company and the position. This is limited to those on Linkedin, but anyone who is anyone is on Linkedin doing exactly what you’re doing: expanding your network. You can even send an In-Mail to any particular individual you are not connected to. Ice breaker anyone?

Professional Organizations

Join Professional Organizations! They offer tremendous connections, especially if they are targeted to a specific area of interest to you. If, for example, you are an entrepreneur and you join a group for innovative thinkers. The connections you make there can be utilized to not only further your network, but also to gain insights into other innovative thinkers’ ideas and possibly create a collaboration which you could use to gain more momentum in the work force.

When you decide to join a professional organization, you decide to join it because it has some sort of significance to you, professionally or socially. The same goes for anyone else in the group. This is ideal ground to prey on in regards to expanding your network. Those with the same interests you posses are within arms reach.

Conferences/Seminars/Webinars

Ideal ground for meeting people is attending conferences, seminars, or even webinars. Not only do you have the advantage of increasing your own knowledge by attending events like this, which will ultimately help you, but your network can grow as well. Those who attend conferences, seminars, webinars, etc. do not solely attend to learn something. It’s about going out there and meeting people, getting to know them, and growing your network. Not to mention, the easiest way to add people to your network is to simply rave about their performance at the “latest event”.

Customers are networking too!!

New business connections are one thing, but making those already confirmed networking connections that much stronger is another. Customers are already aware of your service as well as how you implement and interact in response to their needs. This is a great networking tool. First hand experience sharing is an enormous advantage when it comes to networking. Future businesses contacts will find the information given by current customers important and positive feedback with surely generate networking success.

So what should you take away from all this??: Networking is vital to your professional success! Regardless of if you network online or offline, one of the most important things you will ever do for your professional career is to learn how to successfully market yourself as well as to learn how to be a successful networker. Only them will you be triumphant in your professional endeavors.

Good Luck!

Blog Posed by: Anne Dammel, Marketing Coordinator, CPS (908) 704-1550 ext. 21adammel@completepersonnel.com