Networking Basics
Having been online for many years now I’ve witnessed a serious decline in networking. I have a feeling it is because the majority of the online community no longer markets offline as well. This has led to less one-on-one personal contact and the feeling that they must hit as many people each day as possible with their site info. I’m here to explain how networking truly works.
Webster’s Dictionary defines networking as: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. If you notice, nothing in this definition says that you will use communities for nothing more than links to your site.
Exchanging information with other business owners sets you up as an expert in your field. By helping others, you will put yourself and your sites at the front of their mind when they are looking for your products and services. In return, you will be picking the minds of many and getting a lot of useful information to grow your business.
The key is the exchange of information. To effectively network you will need to regularly visit the site. Stopping by only once a month will not build you business relationships. Visit the site a minimum of once a week and make sure to add forum or blog posts and comments that are useful and informative. Do not just add an “I agree” or “thanks for the info” comment so your signature line is on the post. Pull from information you have learned whether from others or through experience and pass this on. By giving useful information you will have more views.
Remember even if you haven’t been online for very long, you have useful information to share. There are others that haven’t even chosen their business yet reading or even those of us that have been on for a long time and simply forgotten some of the simpler things. Share and you shall reap the benefits!
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