We all know (and some of us dread) the idea of business networking. It conjures up an image of stuffing ourselves into a suit or pantyhose, going to events, wearing a sticker with our name scrawled on it, approaching and introducing ourselves to strangers, and trying to remember to keep our cold drinks in the hand we don’t shake with.
Aaaah so fun to be a business owner, isn’t it?
When I tell people offline that I do much of my business networking online, they usually look puzzled. As I explain to the uninitiated, networking online is the same as networking offline, in many ways. You want to make contacts, build relationships, generate leads and meet prospects, and spread the word about your business. Relationship building and networking takes time offline, and it is no different online. So, here are some pointers…
Depending on how you wish to network, you can find networks to join in a number of ways. The most effective would be to ask people you know on or off the web if they recommend any good networks. For example, if you’re a web designer in Manhattan, your colleagues might tell you about the World Wide Web Artists Consortium mailing list – an industry related network that has been in existence for many years, based in NYC. If you know another business person who operates online, they might tell you to check out Ryze.
Get on Google and do some searches for keywords like “online networker” or “discussion boards” and include your industry or interests in the search. For example, if you are a freelance writer, you might search Google for “freelance business forum” or “writers mailing list.” It really depends on what you want to accomplish, who you want to network with (colleagues? prospective clients?).
Now just because you find a network doesn’t mean you will necessarily want to join it. Search the discussion forums, look at participation. How much traffic does the site seem to get? Is it well organized? And how many, and how recent, were the posts? Don’t waste your time joining if it doesn’t seem like anyone ever comes there. Once you join one make sure you fill out the personal profile. The profile is your chance to explain your business or service. It’s a good idea to add a photo of yourself. A photo that looks professional, even if you need to get one professionally done its well worth it. Describe your service in detail and add the most important elements such as blog or website address, contact numbers and email. If using instant messaging services is your choice of contact, add your Messenger ID or IRC Chat name.
Networking online, by its very nature, takes some time. If you decide to pursue this avenue for building your business, you will find that it is easy to become overwhelmed with emails to read, or have difficulty finding time to browse the forums. There are some things you can do to make this simpler and easier to do on a regular basis. I myself like to get a cup of joe, sit down first thing before i start my day and peruse my favorite networking sites. I update info, look at new members, send them a quick introduction, welcome them and introduce my business. Virtual volunteering is also a great way to get your business name out there. Contact the admin of the site and see if they could use your services and volunteer yourself a few hours a week in exchange for advertising or sponsorship. You will be surprised at how many businesses are willing to trade services.
Below are some online business networking sites to check into and remember the best thing about online networking is you can do at your convenience, 24 hours a day, from the comfort of your home and best of all no stuffy suit to endure!
Tags: online business networking, online marketing, online networking
earn money online…
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