Beginning Your Online Social Network
Social networking has gone on-line. I have found this to be a to be a complement to traditional face-to-face networking.
Businesses are expanding globally and online social networks make it easier to develop business, promote, communicate and share resources around the world. It has helped make it easier for small and medium sized companies to grow their networks and compete in the global market place.
Where to start? That is indeed a great question, one I had in the beginning. I started with one of my favorite internet resources, about.com. They had several articles to point me in the right direction. The first Online Business Networking Tip: Be Prepared.
The next thing I did was gather some basic profile information. Your online profile is 24/7/365, your invitation for other professionals to connect to you. You should first start with writing a profile, nothing complex, just some basic information about employment, education, experience, associations, links to your blog, website, address, phone, fax and email. Here are a few suggestions from a consultant and blogger Chris Brogan, Make your Linkedin Profile work for you.
You can add or leave out any information you are not comfortable providing. You can always go back and modify your profile at anytime. Just keep in mind, your profile is your invitation, for other networkers to search for you and determine if you are someone they wish to connect.
Photos are another element to your profile. Pick a photo that represents you and how you want to be seen by people reading your profile. I have seen many young people, putting up photos more appropriate for a dating network, than a professional business network. You can also use a avatar or character as you photo, even your company logo, the choice is yours.
Now that you have the ingredients for your profile, you will need to pick your first social network website(s) to join? There are many to choose from, all with different target groups and features. Here is a partial list of major social networking websites.
Developing and nurturing your network is a investment of your resources. Keep it simple at the beginning. I started with LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Plaxo. I later joined a few specialty sites specific to my field.
On each social network website, I have found different networking tools. Some websites are strictly professional, such as LinkedIn, while others such as FaceBook allow other plug-in for sharing photos, video and texting for example.
My other personal favorite and the one I am most active, is Twitter. Through my experience with Twitter, I have established some great connections and additions to my various networks.
There is one more thing to consider. Are you going to be a open networker or closed? I chose to be a Open Networker. I enjoy building new relationships, meeting new people, sharing resources and making new friends. I find it fascinating the similarities of people, professions, thoughts, interests and have discovered valuable relationships through my choice of networking.
Another option is a closed network, in which you only add people which you personal know.
So, what are you waiting for, get started. Would love to hear your comments, tips on your experience. What networks have you discovered that you enjoy? Which features do you find useful in building and maintaining your network(s)?
If you should have any questions, please feel free to drop me a email or make a comment.
This is just the first step, so Enjoy!
Author: Tawny Press, Innoventions
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