Using the Internet to get off the Internet

In 'Using online to get offline' I briefly mentioned Meetup.com Founder, Scott Heiferman, and his talk in London about the importance of meeting offline.

Scott shared that he really began to experience the power of community in post 9/11 New York when people began again to rediscover the importance of looking out for each other. I was in London during the bombs on the underground and on a bus on 7 July 2005 and saw many people going out of their way for others in a similar way.

Scott shared that the idea for Meetup came from that time and he wanted to create a site to help strengthen community. To give people the opportunity to use the Internet to get together in local communities each day with the goal of improving themselves or their communities. Their mission today is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.

As Scott said it's about "Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"

A great insight into how to use Online Social Media and Networks in your Business Networking, a subject I addressed more fully in this article:

'10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks'

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke                     

Using online to get offline

At a networking lunch last week someone asked about how you get to meet up offline with some of the people you connect with online. Networking online & offline are about about building relationships. You can strengthen existing connections online and make good new connections. Build relationships by contributing to online conversations and sharing your knowledge and connections. At some point you will probably need to meet up to really build trust. You may not be quite ready to meet One2One so consider inviting them along to a networking group you belong to.

Last week I attended an Event on 'How real time web is facilitating offline interactivity'. One of the speakers Meetup Founder, Scott Heiferman, was talking about the importance of meeting offline and said Meetup itself was all about:

"Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"

A pretty good approach to keep in mind with your online networking.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 10 top networking tips to increase business with the effective use of offline & online networks

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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
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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
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Online and Offline Networking go Hand in Hand

At a meeting earlier this month people were talking about how difficult it is to keep track of all the interactions we now have both online and offline. Last month in my National Networker Column I wrote about the many different ways we have of keeping in touch with the advent of social networks and social media. Online networks give us a a really effective tool for supporting our offline business networking activities. As I have written before, though, they only do that, however, if we go about both activities strategically.

In an article on the NRG-networks website I shared my top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks:

1. Get comfortable with how networking works
2. Develop a plan
3. Identify the people you already know, like & trust
4. Identify the offline networks to join
5. Show a genuine interest in other people
6. Always follow up contacts
7. Identify the online networks to join and start a blog
8. Make online contacts and build relationships first
9. Arrange contact meetings
10. Develop Networking Advocates

More on each point in the article, top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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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
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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
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Everyone has something to say

Ecademy have been running a series of blogs about members to inspire others and show the power of social networking. In the 11th Community Story Steven Healey shares his story and provides great a couple of great insights into networking in general:

"To me networking is about listening... everyone has something to say.

To me networking is about doing... unless you take action nothing happens."

If you have the time read the whole story at the link above.

If you are wondering how to get started then follow Steven's challenge:

"My challenge is a simple one - Take the first step.

If you start networking online, and simply create a profile on a website then sit back waiting for the world to beat a path to your door... nothing will happen.

You need to be the one who takes the first step.

Write a blog, and interact with the people who comment... then write another blog.

Write an email, and interact with the person to whom you sent it , then write another email. Greet people at meetings , listen to what they have to say. Repeat until you know everyone in the room. Take the first step if someone needs help and you (or the people in your network) can."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Does your website tell us about you or some Corporate We?

In an excellent talk at an NRG networking lunch in London this week Ecademy founder Penny Power was sharing some of the insights from her new book. Know Me, Like Me, Follow Me is all about what online social networking means for you and your business.

One of the points was that building trust is fundamental. Your clients are more interested in the person behind the brand not the brand. One of the mistakes that small businesses make is to try and look bigger and more corporate than they really are. You can see this in many websites which are all about some 'Corporate We'. People are much more interested in YOU than that.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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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
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How do you listen online?

In 'The benefits of listening first' I wrote about a couple of examples from Graham Jones which demonstrated the millions of dollars of business being generated by Companies like Dell & Starbucks from listening for and then joining online conversations. A couple of days ago Graham gave a similar talk at the NRG London City Business Networking Group.

One person asked "How do you listen on Twitter?". Good question!

Graham provided the answer. On the right hand side on Twitter is a search box. On the results page you can save the search so every time you go back you get updated results. Follow this link for a Twitter search for NRG networking to see how it works.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Are you an authority on your subject?

Yesterday I wrote about finding the time for online networking. One of the real benefits of your online contributions is the way you can use them to add value and demonstrate your real expertise. In 'How you can use Twitter and Facebook to be persuasive' Graham Jones explains the psychology behind this.

As Graham says you can use Twitter and Facebook and all the other social networks to show you are an authority on your subject by publicising:

* Your original content
* Your thoughts on current research
* Your readiness and ability to answer questions
* Your leadership position in associated organisations
* Your connections with other authorities

Read the full article at the link above.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Finding the time for online networking

A number of people I have spoken to recently feel completely overwhelmed by the prospect of keeping up to date online and offline. In 'You only have 12 hours a week' Alan Rae has some useful insights into the types of business that need to do more online.

In my recent Webinar 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking ' I spoke about integrating online & offline networking. It's still available to view at that link.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Do you let others see who you know?

In yesterday's post, 'Do you know enough people already?', I talked about getting to know some people really well so that over time they will introduce you regularly to people you don't know.

One of the great features of the online Social and Business networks like Facebook and Linkedin is that you are able to see who else your trusted contacts know and request introductions.

Some people, however, hide their contacts from view. When you build trusted relationships you do that by extending trust a little or more at a time. Allowing your contacts to view your other contacts is one way of extending trust and building important relationships.

It can also be important in an emergency as I wrote recently in 'Facebook proved faster than the Police!'.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Facebook proved faster than the Police!

One of my wife's sisters is visiting the UK from the US currently. On Sunday her friends & family back home were trying to contact her urgently as her husband was in hospital after being in a bad car accident. He was the only person with her phone number and was in no state to be able to give it to anyone.

About 7 in the evening UK time my daughter spotted something had happened on her cousin's facebook status. One of my Sister-in-Law's neighbours had also sent me a direct message after finding me amongst her Facebook contacts. I phoned my Sister-in-Law who was then able to phone another neighbour back home to get the full picture.

A few hours later the local UK police knocked at her parents house with a message that she needed to get in contact with people back in the US. The information travelled by Facebook much quicker than it took the police. The Police performance was still pretty impressive too given the limited information they had to work on - surname + town.

Is this relevant to how useful Social Networks & Social Media can be for you?

I think it's a powerful illustration of a revolution in communications. How many important conversations are you missing if you are not online?

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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The Personal & Professional in Business Networking

Another question I was asked in my webcast last week on 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking'was whether I made a distinction between personal & professional networks in the information I share.

My answer was along the lines that people buy people so it is important to share personal information in both business and personal networking.

I enjoyed reading supporting evidence on this issue in Graham Jones' blog post yesterday about the information you share on your website. In 'Find connections to increase your sales' Graham suggests "the more personal information you reveal, the more likely it is you will connect with your customers".

He goes on to say "As if we didn't know, people buy from people... start telling the world even more about yourself so they can start to truly connect with you".

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Are online relationships more short term?

I was asked a number of questions in my webcast last week on 'How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking'. One viewer said "It's more important to meet people offline and spend more time, this makes a relationship long term. Online relationships are more short term. Your views please?"

I have built long term relationships from connections I have made online. I have subsequently met many of these people so the relationships are now both online & offline. There are some I have never met because they are in countries I have not visited. This has not stopped us providing support, knowledge and contacts to each other.

I think the real answer is that most people make more offline connections than online ones and a smaller proportion of those online ones develop into real relationships. I wrote briefly about this in 'Quality versus quantity in Business Networking' yesterday.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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Quality versus quantity in Business Networking

At a recent seminar on how to effectively combine online and offline networking someone said that he wanted to build a 'quality' network rather than have lots of connections like many people he sees online. I think most people would agree that quality is important. The continuing debate is around how you get there.

In offline groups you can build these quality connections from a relatively small group of people. Much of the filtering process has already been done. It's different online in that you will have quality interactions with a smaller percentage of the people you 'connect' with. In both cases quality is a result of quantity.

To be effective offline and online is is still about building relationships.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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How to Effectively Combine Offline & Online Networking

I presented this webinar on brightTALK yesterday. You can watch the recording below.


Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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The Compass, the Clock & Networking

In 'Leadership and Networking' I wrote about the Mastering Leadership Event from William Montgomery of askten. William used an illustration of a compass and a clock to help you focus on your top priorities. The compass represents your direction and the clock how you manage your time.

In networking think about the compass when working out your strategy. This includes why you are networking, where you are headed with your networking and what you need to do to get there. What networks are a good strategic fit for you. The key relationships to focus on & the time you will invest.


Think about the clock for managing your time in relation to your networking activities. When you schedule time for a networking meeting also schedule in the time for follow up & 121 meetings. When you promise to do something then schedule a specific time. If Online Networks and Social Media are important to your business then schedule specific time.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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