How to decide where to spend time online networking

At a couple of meetings last week people asked me which online networks they should use. People tend to read the buzz about Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter etc & assume they need to be on them all. They can often feel daunted at the prospect of somehow incorporating all these into their networking.

I replied that the approach to networking is the same as offline. It is all about building relationships where people get to know, like and trust you. The important consideration for business networking is that the people you build those relationships with are in a position to refer you in the course of their everyday experiences. You should be networking online and offline in the networks where those people are members.

As I wrote in 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks:

"Business Networking is about finding other business people who operate in similar markets to you. Then helping them and building relationships to earn that trust so don’t expect instant results. Like anything worthwhile, networking takes time and application. Take the time to develop relationships and create a network. Don’t expect to walk into a room of strangers or simply post a profile online and come away with business – it just doesn’t work like that!"

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Should you be on Linkedin?

Earlier this week I was asked whether Linkedin was useful for someone in a Professional Services Business. I have experienced the growing popularity of Linkedin in the UK through the NRG-networks Linkedin Group I manage.

I replied that it was not really about just being on Linkedin, but how you use it to complement your offline networking. The reality is that the more proactive networkers are already using Linkedin to interact, build and strengthen trusted relationships with others operating in their target markets. If you do not have an active presence online then you are missing out on this.

Online networks like Linkedin are a great complement to offline networks if you are providing services on a Regional or National basis. You can read about this in more details in '10 top tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks'.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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What do you want out of networking?

If you don't know what you want from your networking how can anyone help you? There is a good discussion over at the NRG-networks group on Linkedin on 'What do you want out of networking?'.

Networking Tip 2 in '10 top tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks' is 'Develop a Plan'. As I wrote there, "If you don’t know where you are going with your networking how can others help you?"

The important thing is that you know what you want rather than network without any clear idea of what you want. That way as you build relationships and help others achieve their goals you can let them know exactly what you are looking for.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Are you good at staying in touch?

Like many others at this time of year we receive a number of letters from old friends summing up the year just gone by. It's great to hear about the stories they share. Sadly this seems to be the only time of year we do hear from some people. So it is great to find that more and more old friends, colleagues and acquaintances are creating profiles and posting updates on social networks and social media sites.

My experience is that online networks are great for staying in touch and a really good way to get started is to connect with the people you already know. You can also reconnect with people you have lost touch with. The major ones for me are Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and Ecademy.

I created my profile on Linkedin about six years ago. More and more people I meet express the view that Linkedin is increasingly more important for business connections.

I joined Ecademy six years ago too and I have found it great for two things;
1. Connecting with some great people and building friendships through the clubs that meet offline.
2. Learning all about online social networks and social media.

I joined Facebook more recently and it is very useful for both social and business communication. I have a personal profile and a business one too. On the social side I am regularly in touch with family and friends who share news and photos. On the business side I can interact with people with similar interests.

Twitter is great for sharing content and signposting others to the useful stuff that people in my network provide regularly.

For more how the online fits into networking generally see 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking'.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Are you keeping up with your conversations online

I have blogged before about using Social Media and Social Networks to listen and engage in conversations. Here are a couple of examples from the last couple of days to illustrate this.

On Friday I blogged 'What is this #FollowFriday on Twitter?' and one of the people I mentioned was Jon Davey. Yesterday I received an email from Jon in reply because he had been alerted by Google Alerts. One of the thing he uses that for is to listen for mentions of 'Business in Berkshire'.

Yesterday I blogged 'Does it really cost that much?' and Nigel Morgan replied on Twitter, "If you question the value of networking, check the mirror!". A couple of people replied to Nigel on Twitter and then Nigel replied again, but on my Linkedin profile this time.

Are you listening and engaging online about things relevant to you and your business?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Finding your existing contacts on Linkedin

Yesterday I wrote about adding online networking to your offline activity. Someone asked how they went about finding their existing contacts on online networks generally and Linkedin specifically. Most of the online networks allow you to add a free profile and upload details of your contacts so that you can see if they are already there.

In Linkedin you go to the contacts menu, add connections and follow the instructions from the wizard you see below:

You can find and connect with me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveclarke

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Linkedin for Small Business

Until recently many people I met thought of Linkedin as a network for Corporate users and recruiters. Over the last couple of years more owners of small businesses & partners in niche professional firms have started to put their profile on Linkedin, but many still say to me "I am on Linkedin, but I don't know what to do with it."

Linkedin provides a great platform for finding business opportunities and now has many more features for raising your profile. I have recently used applications in my Linkedin profile to share my blog, NRG networking events, slide presentations and polls. I have also started the NRG-networks group on Linkedin where members can post articles, take part in relevant discussions, make connections and strengthen relationships.

It's worth spending some time, say 10 minutes a day, to connect with people you already know, join relevant groups, answer questions in your area of expertise and build a better profile. It all helps build your reputation and strengthen your networking relationships.

If you are on Linkedin connect with me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveclarke
You can also join the NRG-networks group at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=133989

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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Effective online networking in groups

As you make more contacts online on sites like Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter it can be hard to maintain effective communication. A great way to focus some of the conversation is to start a group where you can share your expertise and engage with people who are truly interested. I have been invited by a number of contacts to new groups they have started this week on Linkedin & Facebook. We have NRG-networks groups on these networks where we share content and interact.

Take a look at these NRG-networks online groups for the type of things you can do with minimal effort:

NRG-networks Group on Facebook

NRG-networks Group on Linkedin

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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More than just showing up

I love the quote from Woody Allen that 80% of success is showing up, but as Nick Ingram pointed out over at the NRG-networks Linkedin Group it takes more than just that.

As Nick said you need to show up regularly "Just stick at it, offer expertise and help, you will be rewarded in ROI, but it might take a while."

He then stressed the importance of follow-up and said, "How many people have I listened to who, when asked, admitted that they had not followed up on the people they had met or spoken to or who had given them contact details? I'll tell you, ... loads!"

So be persistent and don't forget the follow up.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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