Jan
08
Networking - The Right Way
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What is one thing that we need to do in order to be known? What is the secret to building contacts? How do we get to know people whose interest are similar to ours? How do we find people who can help us boost our business and/or traffic? You guessed it right - Network!
Networking doesn’t mean keeping tabs on everyone you’ve met since you were 5 years old. Networking is something that you do in order to build your contacts and resources that might benefit you and others in one way or the other. Some people are born with networking talents, they get out there and make friends easily whereas for some it is a learned act. I have learned networking the hard way. After running two small businesses both in the real world and on the internet and seeing two of my blogs die, I think I have learned some lessons on how to network to gain the most out of it.
Whether you are a born networking genius or a person trying to learn the ropes, we all know networking is the key to success and is critical to any business and the same goes for your blog, whether you run it as a business or hobby. Here are some tips on networking that I have found quite useful which has helped me gain contacts that are both influential and helpful when it comes to my blogging career.
#1. The key to effective networking is to figure out how you can help others before you ask for help. Remember when you start giving you start receiving, it might not be an immediate gain but with time it will happen. Lend a helping hand and when you are in need there will be a flood of people willing to help you out in a heartbeat.
#2. Keep track of your network. You might have come to known 50 bloggers in a month who belong to your networking circle. Not all 50 bloggers will be as effective or active within that circle. So try and group your network. Make a list of contacts that you are actively engaging in conversation or are sharing emails. These are the most valuable gem within your networking circle. So group your contacts according to their activity and interest level with you or your blog/business. Do not eliminate or get rid of other contacts though. You never know who you might need.
#3. Listen, listen and keep listening. Personally, I would love to help out anybody who is willing to listen my side of story as well. If you constantly talk about yourself and how you can benefit from a community without listening to what others need, networking will be a failed attempt. Listen to others and offer suggestion and they will do the same. One attentive ear can dry thousand tongues and then it’s your turn to talk.
#4. Before you start networking, identify yourself. Why do you wanna network? What are you looking to fulfill by networking within this community? Is this the right community to network with? If you start networking with engineers and your field is english literature, I don’t see either party gaining anything much by networking. It’s a waste of time for others and for you as well. Know what you want to network for and who you are looking to bring into your circle.
#5. Explore,explore and explore. You don’t need to be Christopher Columbus and discover something but you do need to find a lot of networking opportunities. With the advent of internet and social networking sites, it is much easier for us now to network than it was couple years ago. Don’t limit yourself to Myspace and Facebook. Explore smaller networking communities as well where you can be easily known,recognized and remembered by others.
Networking is an art, some were born with it and some learn as the time goes by. I still have a lot to learn as I know for a fact it’s not an inherited talent, atleast not for me. I hope you found these tips helpful, they sure have helped me out a lot when it comes to knowing the right people at the right time.
I am still a student and would like to learn more on networking. So please go ahead and use the comment section as our networking forum. Let’s network and share some networking tips with each other.
(Has anybody tried cre8buzz yet? It’s a social networking site like MySpace but all the members are pretty much bloggers ( this is a must try if you are a blogger ). If you are interested in trying out a small community of bloggers and network, this site might be a good option. This site is an ” invite only ” as of now. If you are interested, please share some networking tips with me and other readers through your comments and contact me so I can send you an invite.)
Great article Ritu,
Something I was thinking about…
A lot of people who join networks do it because they want to be social, but are often too shy to interact with others for whatever reason; usually because they don’t think they have anything valuable to add or don’t want to appear unknowledgeable.
As hard as it is, I suggest they just jump straight in; ask questions, offer advice, and remember the network is there to help you not only socialize, but learn, and everyone has to start somewhere.
[…] Networking the right way Posted January 3, 2008 from : worknplay.net […]
Nice List Ritu…
I know I need to work on #2 and #5.
You covered a lot of grounds in your post, so I’ll just add a short note on having the right attitude.
Being courteous and attentive while your networking goes a long way. Show that you care! It really creates a totally different dynamic. Love other bloggers as yourself.
I agree with Lid. Ask questions. You’ll find one of two things. 1) You need a new network that’s more helpful, or 2) the answer to your question.
Hi Ritu,
I have a question…
A lot has been made about the importance of having powerful network friends.
What is your view on this? Obviously, we want to get “connected” to the right people, but how do you network with people beyond your blog social status?
I always get intimidated as I don’t have anything to offer to the big blogs.
What I’ve been comfortable with is networking within my own blog peer group and I find that we are of great support to each other.
How do I break through this social barrier?
How do I break through this social barrier?
Mostly, that is not a social barrier, but rather, a confidence one. You need to follow the idea, as I commented on a recent post here, “I aways miss 100% of the shots I don’t take ~ Wayne Gretzky”
Just do it. Send out an email and say,
Then tell the blogger what you appreciate about him/her (Briefly).
Believe it or not, just that alone is more than most people will try, which already makes you noticeable.
Wait for a response. Don’t ask for any help yet unless absolutely necessary. If there is a response, you know you’re getting somewhere.
The point is, you will always get no link or help from 100% of the bloggers you don’t contact.
Just do it.
Hi,
You have a very cool blog here…loved the content.
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Cheers
Yes Mariam, Fiar is absolutely right on the bank. Sometimes, it just takes a simple email for the bloggers to know slightly about you. And it takes a few more contact for him/her to open up to you.
Before I forget, Ritu, this is a good article and I’m really glad you put #1 the first position. Because that’s a very important part of networking.
Giving. Even asking questions is a form of giving.
Cheers,
Ellesse
That is one of your best posts Ritu, really liked it!
Lend a helping hand and when you are in need there will be a flood of people willing to help you out in a heartbeat - I experienced that not so long ago with SWR, it’s true, good karma!
Lid,
I agree with what you are saying. Networking isn’t only about socializing, it’s about giving and receiving as well. Networking is a must for anything whether it’s making friends or boosting your business or traffic to blog. The importance of networking cannot be overlooked.
Daniel,
Exactly! If you show that you care and are willing to help others, they will do the same for you. What goes around comes around.
Mariam,
I think Fiar answered this question perfectly. I think when many bloggers start out they want to connect with only popular or established bloggers.
Powerful networking connection is important but we all start out at the bottom initially. Being in a circle with people who are where we are at helps out a lot as we share a lot of things in common.
And when it comes to making new and powerful connection, like Fiar said, just get out there and send a simple email. Remember, its what you can give before you ask. While sending emails to powerful contacts don’t go asking help right away. Just a nice “thank you” for their insightful article can go a long way. The main thing is to try and keep trying. Not everybody will reply but I can bet if you try and contact 10, atleast 5 will and then you build upon it.
Fiar,
Thanks for your insightful comments and for answering Mariam’s question. The main thing when it comes to networking as you said is “Just do it.”
Goal Setting College,
Exactly! When we ask questions we might raise things that others have never even though about it. So asking question is an integral part of networking since it gives everybody a chance to look at something they might have not thought about, and this is a form of giving as well.
Jon,
Thanks Jon, I am glad you enjoyed it
I think the essence of networking lies in giving. I have learned a lot when it comes to networking from you. I can bet there are a lot of people who will be willing to help you out in a heart beat and I am one of them, simply because you do the same for others.
Sally,
I am glad you enjoy the content here. Thanks for sharing the link with us!