I recently began to get involved in networking through Social Media. I am using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, with the latter being the one I use most. It has been a very interesting trying to learn how to use these tools. While no where near an expert on the subject, I thought I would at least express some of my observations.
I see that this can be a great extension of any current networking activities you currently use. If you realize that networking is about building relationships, you can build them anywhere regardless of weather it is at a networking event, at a charity event or on the Internet. If you are making everything about how can I help the other person and not yourself then these all are great venues.
In relationship building you need to keep it "low key" and see how you can help the other person and not just look to sell. I see so many people just coming out any using Twitter as a source to run their latest sales ad. There is no relationship building there. They are just an old time peddler. Instead the "tweet" should be something that is offering value to the other person. Provide a link to an interesting article, a good motivational quote, a piece of trivia or a useful tip.
Another very important area is your bio and a picture. Since you need to make yourself real to others, let them have a chance to know you as a real person. While I prefer the avitar to be you even a picture of your dog is better than just the avitar that is used if you don't upload one. I prefer to see a picture of the individual so I can get to know them. Being on Twitter to promote your business make it something in good taste.
Normally you will not go to a networking event and not speak to anyone so don't do that in Twitter either. Share some "tweets" with others and engage others in a short conversation. Who really wants to follow someone who has very few if any "tweets".
Be courteous and considerate as you would be in person. Thank those that follow you and try to make some sort of comment based on some of the "tweets" they have made or something in their profile "bio". You can do this if you answer them personally instead of using an automated process. Again, be REAL.
Remember that this is a public forum. In the business world we have been taught that there is no place for cursing or profanity. You should observe the same thing here.
Let people get to know you and then you can occasionally let them know that you are in a certain business or profession. You can offer answers to questions that are posed in your area of expertise. You can even do specific word search to be alerted to "tweets" that fall in your area so you do not miss things.
In the short time I have been using Twitter I have been able to form some relationships, open some business opportunities and hopefully soon, close a couple of sales. I think that almost any business can do this if they are willing to spend some time developing those all important relationships. While it takes time, just as in networking "face to face", it should be well worth it over the long haul.
Only you can answer whether or not Social Media is for you. But for me, I have found my answer. I hop you do too.
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Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut
If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.
I see that this can be a great extension of any current networking activities you currently use. If you realize that networking is about building relationships, you can build them anywhere regardless of weather it is at a networking event, at a charity event or on the Internet. If you are making everything about how can I help the other person and not yourself then these all are great venues.
In relationship building you need to keep it "low key" and see how you can help the other person and not just look to sell. I see so many people just coming out any using Twitter as a source to run their latest sales ad. There is no relationship building there. They are just an old time peddler. Instead the "tweet" should be something that is offering value to the other person. Provide a link to an interesting article, a good motivational quote, a piece of trivia or a useful tip.
Another very important area is your bio and a picture. Since you need to make yourself real to others, let them have a chance to know you as a real person. While I prefer the avitar to be you even a picture of your dog is better than just the avitar that is used if you don't upload one. I prefer to see a picture of the individual so I can get to know them. Being on Twitter to promote your business make it something in good taste.
Normally you will not go to a networking event and not speak to anyone so don't do that in Twitter either. Share some "tweets" with others and engage others in a short conversation. Who really wants to follow someone who has very few if any "tweets".
Be courteous and considerate as you would be in person. Thank those that follow you and try to make some sort of comment based on some of the "tweets" they have made or something in their profile "bio". You can do this if you answer them personally instead of using an automated process. Again, be REAL.
Remember that this is a public forum. In the business world we have been taught that there is no place for cursing or profanity. You should observe the same thing here.
Let people get to know you and then you can occasionally let them know that you are in a certain business or profession. You can offer answers to questions that are posed in your area of expertise. You can even do specific word search to be alerted to "tweets" that fall in your area so you do not miss things.
In the short time I have been using Twitter I have been able to form some relationships, open some business opportunities and hopefully soon, close a couple of sales. I think that almost any business can do this if they are willing to spend some time developing those all important relationships. While it takes time, just as in networking "face to face", it should be well worth it over the long haul.
Only you can answer whether or not Social Media is for you. But for me, I have found my answer. I hop you do too.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009, Bill Hurlbut
If you like this article, Follow me on Twitter.
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