Saturday, January 13, 2007

Have you got any effective networking techniques?

I'm working with a group of professionals who wish to re-define how they network. Does anyone out there have any interesting techniques they use to build and do business in a network environment? If so can you post them here for all to benefit from.

6 comments:

Robert Kingston said...

One of the best things I've seen so far for networking has to be www.linkedin.com. I've just recently joined and by inviting/linking a few people, my extended network has ~130,000 members in it. It's a fantastic way to demonstrate your knowledge as well as it allows people to post and answer questions.

Ed Roach said...

Great idea Robert I just signed up. I noticed a few exisitng friends were already there. I like how they are organized and the site is very nice to look at.

Let's see how many people make it back to my website or blog. I use statcounter for these types of stats.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ed,

Though I use LinkedIn, it's mostly for research.

Of course, blogging is a key in extending your voice and building relationships - you're traveling a great path here.

In another post, you mention the opportunity you seized by connecting two people. You made valuable deposits to both parties, and cemented yourself as a resource.

I believe the same holds true in the blogosphere. By linking out to sites you find valuable, your readers (and the one receiving the link) look to you as a valuable resource.

Keep up the great work here...and I'll keep reading:-)

Ed Roach said...

Mike,

Yesterday I had a lunch with a networking contact to better ubderstand what each of us brings to the table. Naturally in today's environment, web resources were widely discussed. Myself, I am always looking for great places to benefit from and also to add then to my monthly newsletter. In every issue I add an interesting place to check out.

I use www.EzineArticles.com to assemble articles my subscribers can use to get more business.

It was a fruitful meeting, my essential consulting product intrigued him. Being tapped into the Detroit Media Market, he has terrific connections and insight. So I think seeds to a mutually beneficial relationship were planted.

Networking is an interesting dynamic, the moment you recognize that instant gratification is not the path. Even linking is a gradual process in building valuable resources. I only link to value not just link to build audience. In cyberspace or on Main Street the practice with regards to building relationships are the same - build solid relationships with careful thought to quality and integrity and of course forget the "what's in it for me" attitude.

Thanks for dropping by Mike.

Olivier Blanchard said...

- LinkedIn is a great tool, and anyone who isn't on it yet is missing out.
- Blogs create conversations between like-minded Marketing professionals with something to say or share.
- Business organizations that focus on business and economic development in your area or region can be helpful too. We have Innoventures and Pulse. What are yours?
- Forming collaborative networks with consultants, freelancers and other talented folks can be very rewarding as well. I routinely find excuses to work and share ideas with creative directors, web designers and Brand consultants.

Ed Roach said...

Thanks for your input Olivier. Linkedin seems a great model for everyone. All these suggestions and referrances are helping a lot in my devlopment of one of the networking organizations I belong to.

Have a great week.

 
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