How do you network
I'm curious to know how other people network. I just asked this question on my blog (http://blog.optimalupgrades.ca/?p=294) and would be interested in hearing answers from other people on LinkedIn, as well as from other sites as well.
Clarification added October 29, 2009:
I'm looking for the types of networking you do, both online and in person. How do you get involved? What kinds of events do you go to?
Good Answers (19)
Sahar A.
Diversity&Inclusion| Leadership Training| Social Media Marketing| Employee Engagement|Public Speaker|Cultural Competence
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Elie:
To make it easier on you
Imagine yourslef in a real life cocktail party, what would you do , stay in a corner and watch people
Or mingle and talk to people, presenting yoruself without being pushy, asking people what they do taking a real interest in them, have few jokes, take their business cards, give the yours to stay in touch later
You get the idea it is the same as networking on line it just doesnt have the constraint of time or place
Dave M.
Partner at The Minnesota Sign Guys
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Elie
I belong to a BNI chapter for face 2 face networking (Business Networking International) and LinkedIn for online networking.
BNI meets once per week for 90 minutes and with prep and travel time plus 1-2-1 meetings outside the normal weekly meeting, this activity could run 3-4 hours per week.
LinkedIn, no set schedule as with F-2-F networks. I participate in a number of groups and Q&A.
Adele B.
Keep your Customers Loyal and Satisfied | Sales Strategies using the Internet | Consultant and Trainer
I look for opportunities to attend meetings of like minded people. Local Chamber of Commerce meetings are an example. If something is going on in my city I try to attend those meetings.
I also find Forums on Linkedin very useful for meeting people.
I hope this helps
Adele
Laurie B.
Social Media Professional, Speaker, and Trainer at Laurie Boettcher Speaks
Best Answers in: Viral Marketing (1)
I am actively involved in committees at my local Chamber. Since each committee has goals, the focus is not on networking, that just happens naturally. I have the privilege of meeting highly talented professionals on a regular basis. Some of them have become friends, rather than acquaintances. It's nice to have allies when attending ribbon cuttings and business lunches.
Laura B.
Owner, Bell Business Report (bellbusinessreport.com)
Best Answers in: Communication and Public Speaking (1)
With limited resources, it is only online. But my online contacts have gotten me great projects/deals over the years.
Laura Bell
Wallace J.
Multimedia Producer, i3D Programmer, Acrobat 3D PDFs, Android Apps, Virtual Worlds, iTV Design, Kindle/Nook/Sony eBooks
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At Tradeshows, primarily...
Links:
Well I personally use Linkedin,Facebook, Twitter and I talk to absolutely loads of people when I am out anywhere.
Firas A.
CEO ♦ Finance & FMCG Professional ♦ Real Estate Brokerage ♦ All In One ♦ One For All
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I depend mainly on my communicational skills in network, I prefer face to face contacts, and I depend on my skills in speaking, listening, and understanding others,...I join conferences and always try to make new relations and build a professional network...social medias are also source of building networks,....but in order to network you should understand how to have skills, and ways to contact...
Make Ur Day A Gooood Oneeee
F.A.A.
Judy B. M.
Business WRITER | Editor | Blogger | Strategic MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | B2B | Web Content Creator | BusDev
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Here, at professional seminars and events, plus I belong to a few local networking groups.
David S.
Software Engineer at Odyssey Software
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I attend numerous professional software developer groups in our area.
One apparently little known way of increasing your networking effectiveness is to volunteer to make presentations at these professional software developer groups. People want to know people who can make good educational software development presentations.
Marcus Emmanuel B.
Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analysis, Programming, Web Development, Tutoring
If you live in a bigger urban setting, you might have some real luck with Meetups. If you're working in a technical area, often these Meetup events will have presentations, talks, etc. So worst case -- you don't meet any highly qualified prospects, but you walk away learning something new about your field.
Another thing I like about Meetups is that since many have a narrow focus, you can determine pretty quickly if a given meetup group is a good place to network for highly qualified prospects, or is a complete waste of time.
Here is an example from my networking experience this past year. I met someone at a Meetup that dealt with a technical field. From this one Meetup, I now have a good friend & a great client who is a pleasure to work with. Because of this positive experience, I'm planning on focusing my networking energy on Meetup events over the coming months.
Links:
Dave M.
Trade show booth traffic builder. Attract more attendees into your booth. A clear advantage over all other exhibitors
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Everytime I'm out at a gig, I'm selling myself, by the mere fact that I'm performing and showing the public what I do...
Elizabeth D.
Sr. IT Project Manager at Danskin Consulting, Inc.
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Regardless if I am attending a personal event or professional, I make a point of meeting and getting to know the person who is sitting on my left and on my right during sit down conference type sessions.
If the activity affords it, I do homework and understand who is going to be attending and make a point to meet specific individuals - maybe 1-2 conference speakers who speak on topics of my interest.
For networking with other women, I hold 2-3 yearly events at my home and invite those I know and ask them to invite a friend or 2 as well. I have mixer games to allow us to get to know individuals better
For professional networking, besides the items above, I setup appointments with those that I want to meet and understand how we can work together to meet business goals. For example, if there is a business partner in town, I will setup appointment to meet with them and understand their core skills and the people that work for their company. I update my contact list with the information I learn.
Linked in and the travel section on linked in has allowed me to connect up with co-workers while I am on a business trip.
Facebook allows me to connect up with friends and re-establish old ties.
Reno L.
Marketing Communications Services; Author, Trainer, Multimedia Web Video Producer specializing in book video trailers.
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Tell virtually everyone you meet what you do and shat service you offer. Start conversations and put yourself in a position to meet new people everyday.
Links:
Erica F.
Social Media Optimizer, Publisher at ALC Publishing, President of Yuricon
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I talk with people. On the street, at events, online, at work. You don't know where you might be or who you might meet.
Cheers,
Erica Friedman
Yurikon LLC
Social Media Without Delusion
http://socialoptimized.blogspot.com
http://www.visualcv.com/elfriedman
Joyce F.
Social Media Tutor | Enrollment Advisor | District 26 Toastmasters Social Media Chair| Networker *Extraordinaire*
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At a ground networking function, my approach is to mingle through the group, see ho else I might know there and through them meet others. Plus I am very comfortable approaching people on my own my simply extending my hand to say hello. Essentially, I treat every networking event as if I were the host of the party. One of my favorite things to do at such events is to connect people who I think might have something in common.
Asking openended questions is a key part of getting to know someone when networking in person. Be sure to respond back to their questions, or they will feel you are interrogating them! A book I have found very helpful with great tips on connecting with new people is 'The Fine Art of Small Talk" by Debra Fine and I have referenced her website.
In interactive workshops I conduct on networking, I draw from the recommendations in Fine’s book as well as those found in such classics such as "How to Make Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Please contact me at joycefeustel@comcast.net for the handout that I provided for the participants of these workshops.
Places to network are countless - from structured situations like a chamber of commerce after hours - to the social time after a church service. Just always be in the networking mode. You never know where it will lead you.
For online networking, such as through LinkedIn, I have selected a handful of groups where I periodically post responses to the questions that are asked. That will sometimes generate someone asking me to connect with them. And I also invite folks to connect whose posted responses resonate with me.
Links:
Clarification added October 30, 2009:
In my first sentence, I meant to say: "see who else I might know there"
Marvin "Coach" P.
DC's #1 Small Business Coach, Consultant and Advocate
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Funny you should ask. As a business coach in the DC area, I find that the networking landscape takes on a unique tone that business leaders should seriously be aware of before they engage. I help my clients deal with this by teaching them more about the many associations and government contracting angles that exist here.
Personally I've found some unique synergistic ways to network:
-live events (business, recreation, association and professional groups)
-online events (webinars)
-social media (LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter etc.)
Dr. Ivan Misner, father of modern day networking suggests that you use several synergistic networking tactics to develop yourself as a hub or niche player in a certain market. I like this approach because it sames a lot of time and money.
As a huge proponent and trainer of creative vision, it's very important to ask yourself the right questions before you go into any networking a environment:
1. what do i want to get from this?
2. who should I meat?
3. what's the best way to introduce my self to guarantee a win?
4. who do i plan on maintaining and deepening relationships that I start?
I write about this extensively on my blog/website www.ninetydaypowerplay.com. In fact we've got an ongoing networking training program that will help the readers of this question develop powerful and effective strategies to achieve high dollar networking success on their own. Ignore the contest dates, just check out and work through the lessons in order.
Links:
Marvin "Coach" P. also suggests this expert on this topic:
Linked-in, Plaxo and through professional discussion boards.
I network often in person. Sometimes I will meet someone and we’ll begin a conversation be it in line or at an event. It’s a connection. Second connection can be electronic. Taking it to a natural follow up is goal. Keeping connection going is end goal.
Great connections are sometimes unexpected but as prepared for opportunities can become enduring.
