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Social Networking 101

Let's start a group around how we can give each other hints or tricks that worked well for us in social networking.

Permalink Reply by Lawrence Tam on July 17, 2008 at 6:53pm: I feel that people want to network with people. Which = placing a actual picture of yourself.

Kinda hard to network with someone while I stare at a picture of their cat or dream car.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eric Standlee on July 18, 2008 at 9:18am: Larry,

I believe being real is VERY important too.

I want to learn more about people reading their profile, not more about their products. Not yet anyway.

I also believe in the power of Servant Leadership or Giving First or Reciprocal Networking or Netweaving (all different names for the same thing).

People who are just out to get and have no intention of giving don't get networking. I was there. Then I read Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. It started me down this path I call Giving First.

Eric Standlee; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelly James on September 4, 2008 at 9:19pm: Eric you are trruly a dynamic person and I am glad to be a part of your network.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kimberley on October 6, 2008 at 1:16pm: I am with Lawrence about the photos. I tend to gravitate to reading profiles with photos. It matters not what the photos looks like but then I feel like I am dealing with a real-live person.

I use several social/professional netowrking tools and they work for me because, I make the effort to "work" them. You get out of it what you actually put in it. You cannot just post a profile and expect others to come to you. Show your expertise and answer questions, suggest potential clients, set up a phone call or coffee appointment. This is definately not for the shy business person that prefers not to have to eventually meet.

If anything I have made some new friends. Who can have to many friends, right?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy P. Collier on October 15, 2008 at 5:41pm: Networking hints: When I walk into a networking event and don't know anyone, I usually find the host or a volunteer at the function. I tell them I am new and if they could introduce me to a few people. They are always accomodating and usually want to help and make the function productive for everyone.
If I can't locate one of these people, I then go up to a small group and say "Hi, I am new here, do you mind if I join in?". We are in Texas!! Everyone is pretty open and generally friendly. I have NEVER had someone say "No", remember they are at this event to meet people just like you are.
And don't forget to SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!! No one likes to go up to someone that looks like they are having a lousy time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lilibeth Andre on November 20, 2008 at 9:59am: I really like to hear what people do. I like to know what kind of experts surround me. Most of us try to be modest but don't we find our business fascinating? Enough to get our focus at this point of our life anyway, right? You don't want to bury someone with all your glossary at this point but if you can give the nuts and bolts about what makes your business valuable, I can take that with me and plug into it when I'm talking to someone tomorrow or next week and say, "I know someone that can help you".

Next, Be ready to tell me: What makes your business valuable.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cyndi Gutowski on November 25, 2008 at 1:19am: Sounds great to me!
Here's an idea on direct marketing.
Everyone has some little advice or hint to offer in their field of expertise for any group that meets.
Here are some ideas to kick around.....
Community Centers have a variety of people meeting daily, senior citizens, AARP, etc. They are always interested in speeches from different fields to help them, give advice. Example: I am a florist, so I will give an hour of my time to teach how to make a fall wreath. At the end of class they get a business card and their item they made in class.
Maybe if you are a real estate person you could explain to them how reverse sale for down sizing, if a financial advisor give them advise on how to get their estate in order. Oh and the biggie now a days is the internet! They love learning about that.
Just a couple of ideas to kick around.
How you would go about getting an appt. is call the precinct, they usually have schedulers to schedule events.
Hope this gives you an idea to network direct!
Cyndi; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Segreto on February 17, 2009 at 10:32pm: I'm all for a group on Social Networking 101. SN has become an integral part of my business and is the #1 reason my business has substantially increased over the past six months. I'd love to share my thoughts and ideas on the subject of SN.; ▶ Reply to This