Online Networking

There are many opportunities to network online. Even though I work in the world of the web, I have been guilty of missing chances to build my network of contacts online.

I recently started to use Facebook which is mainly a social networking site, however, within a few days I was in contact with old college friends, all of which are Business Grads and inevitably talk moved to what we were doing in business. Many of my contacts have now looked at my other sites, such as my personal Blog or my company site which may create opportunities to do business.

Other sites that I would recommend for networking online are:

Linked In
Ecademy

Training Courses - great place to network

Today I have been on a training course (Advanced Search Engine Marketing). It wasn't until I got there that I remembered what a great opportunity they offer for networking.

Although you would think that we would be competitors, I am sure that I will find a way of collaborating with the course tutor Anne Stanley who is also a tutor for the Advanced Pay Per Click (PPC) Management course. I also met a guy who is a Database expert and a designer.

Remember, always take your business cards to any training or seminar, you never know who you might meet.

Invites have gone out

I have invited the first 5 authors to contribute to the blog. They are all experienced business people and excellent networkers, I look forward to see some of the new posts.

An advantage of keeping the site busy and posting regularly will not only be a stream of good networking tips, there will also be a search engine optimisation benefit as I will create incoming links to all of their web sites

Lets get started again

I have been guilty of neglecting the Blog and I promise I won't let it happen again. My solution to the challenge of generating content has to be inviting new contributiors. I hope that people want to get involved.

The Most Important 'Meal' of the Day

'Its not net-sit or net-eat its net-work' - Ivan Misner PhD Founder and CEO of BNI

The essence of BNI is that although the meeting takes place at breakfast the sole reason for coming is to net-work! Efficiency and timings are maintained because every BNI meeting follows a structured 20 point agenda.

If you attend a BNI meeting in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, the United States or anywhere else, you will find all meetings follow exactly the same format, using exactly the same agenda.

They are focussed on generating business for the participants and there are no secondary agendas.

Use email as a follow up.

Tip of the Week: email as a follow-up to meeting people. Use the opportunity to provide more information about BNI and invite them to a meeting. Here is an example email:

I enjoyed meeting you last week at (fill in the blank). Here's the information on BNI, Business Network Int'l, the professional networking group we discussed. Our chapter meets at (fill in location, day & time). Bring 50+ business cards and come early so we have time to introduce you to my fellow members. You will have the opportunity during the meeting to give a 60 second commercial that explains who you are and what you do.

Get there early

Always try to get to networking events early, arriving at the last minute may look cool - but you don't get a chance to 'work the meeting'.

You need time to work out who is there (take a look at the delegate list if there is one), look for any obvious match ups. At least give yourself a chance to meet as many people as possible and exchange cards.

Remember the best networkers will be there early also, so thats when you need to be there.

Take a closer look at your junk mail.

The reason companies send out mailings is because they are looking to grow their businesses.

I will call back the local company, like lawn maintenance, painters, plumbers, office furniture suppliers etc.

The conversation should go something like this:

"Hi, I just got your flyer in the post. I thought it looked very professional, you are obviously looking to grow your business. On Friday mornings, I meet with a group of business professionals who could refer business to you. Are you free on Friday morning at 7:00AM?"

This approach also works when companies cold call you by phone, I have invited people to my BNI Chapter when they have called me.