You’ve noticed the smooth party goer, the one everyone gravitates toward, has the crowd laughing or silent and hanging on their every word. Sound a little like how you work a room at an event? Not relating even in the slightest? Do you fall somewhere in the middle? Or do you avoid the party or event like the plague because you’d rather sit in the comfort of your own home or office? Just you and your computer.
If I’ve done this correctly, no matter where you see yourself in the scenarios listed, you’ll pull a few worthwhile tips from what I’m about to share. See, I like to share. I do believe it is an art form. I admire others who share, pay it forward, appreciate what you’ve shared. For me, it is fundamental to social networking. Networking should be natural. For many, maybe even most, it’s not.
People don’t engage with one-way sharing. Jump out of the me box.
1. Make the SOCIAL more prominent in your networking
Think about what gets you excited. What do you feel you know about well enough to feel confident sharing? People typically don’t identify with facts and charts all day – all the time. Online networking should mirror in-person networking. Type with a smile, or with a frown – depending on the message you’re trying to convey. Choose words which allow the reader to feel your excitement, frustration, interest. Pick an emotion. Now try to express that knowing people can’t read your body language or facial expression(s). Hopefully they can at minimum, envision that you’re saying it. Which leads us to the next tip.
2. Keep it real
Choose a photo of yourself, that shows you, not a character or a caricature of you. Choose one you already have or have one taken, and update it when something has changed. Cut your hair? Don’t use a photo featuring your long, luscious locks. Or one in which you’re wearing glasses if you always wear contacts. The primary reason I think it is important, even necessary to use a photo is two-fold. Look back up at tip number one. People need to feel as if you’re speaking with them in order to encourage true engagement/conversation. Secondly, a current photo (no matter how much you may want to lose a few pounds or have that mole removed) is your identity. An exception. If you’ve created a ‘persona’ it’s okay to go in character. Just don’t expect people to recognize you in person. If that’s what you’re after, success! A natural progression to tip #3.
3. Take it offline
Once you’ve established or in many cases, reestablished relationships in your online circles, get out from behind your computer screen and meet with your network. In person. For real. In real life (IRL). Go to tweetups, Facebook events, networking gatherings sponsored by some of your groups on LinkedIn or professional development meetings and conferences. Your online community will thank you for it. If you’ve not yet done this, if you do nothing else I suggest in this post, for the love of the internet, go to at least one event in the next three months. If this makes you uncomfortable simply schedule a coffee meeting with an online connection or two. Once you arrive, if you’ve been using a current photo of yourself it will make it a lot easier for your network to find you, know who you are. Slowly allow yourself to open up to meeting your network in the flesh. You’ll be amazed at how much more interesting and dimensional your conversations will become the next time you sit down with your keyboard.
4. It’s not all fun and games
Successful social networking takes time. In many cases, it takes a lot of time. It requires an impressive amount of reading. And listening or observing others online. Sharing content, not just that of your own, is crucial to your credibility. You are your brand. Even if you have nothing to sell or market. Take the time to define your online and offline networking goals. Use your voice, your true voice to achieve those goals. Do you want to find a job? Get a new job? Gain new clients? Find new readers for your blog? Make new friends? Reconnect with old friends? Sell something? Buy something? Learn something? You get the idea. You must invest the time and go to where the most important network is to help advance your goals. Be cautious, though. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Don’t sign up for accounts and then let them sit idle. It’s okay to devote your time to just one social network at a time.
I have considered my Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn accounts and the feeds I generate on each my micro-blog. I’ve been active for nearly five years on the first two forums and nearly seven years on LinkedIn. I may not have realized it at the time, but my strategy of online networking has led me here, my personal blog. It’s still shiny and new. But I’ve built my networks, slowly, organically and hopefully they are all filtering in to ‘have a look around.’ This takes us back to credibility. My network knows I share. I converse. I promote, yes, but I am not constantly shoving my work in their face. If I do, I give you all permission to call me out for it.
5. Invest
I believe in the 15 minutes a day theory. At least for beginners. Scratch that. For everyone. If you can’t invest at least this much time a day, then networking, especially online, may not be a good fit or work for you. This is for both in-person and online networking. Once it becomes more enjoyable to you, and with time, your investment should will increase. Following the 15 minutes, break down your networking into reading (five minutes), sharing (five minutes) and replying/engaging with others (five minutes).
Read your own feeds on twitter, updates/posts on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you bore yourself, why would anyone else take an interest in what you are sharing? If you laugh, ponder what you’ve written, or you are moved to action, you’re a click away from being shared online. Sharing is good.
6. Pay it forward
I believe in twitter chats. I use them for professional development as often as I can. Swap expertise. If you’ve never checked them out, do this as soon as you finish reading this post. Type in a search for terms that interest you. For me that includes public relations, social media, building a brand, humor, writing, journalism, media – the list is vast. Follow the hashtags and see what is out there. Jump into a chat, introduce yourself. Read, share and engage (see tip #5 again).
I’ve picked up the best followers using this method of online networking. When I say best, I don’t mean number of, I mean followers who share, whom I learn from and laugh with often.
Are you a few clicks away from your next business deal, a job offer, a slew of friendships, the best meal of your life or a book deal? Hmm, that might make a good tweet. I’ll be back in a minute.
OH. I almost forgot. When you read online, take a minute to leave a thoughtful comment. Even if you disagree with what you’ve read. Comments are good sharing, plus it puts you out there.
I’m off to Google myself. You should do it too. Dang. Another tweet!
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This post is part of the BlogHop Blog Conference at Home. A free conference that anyone can attend from the comfort of their own home. We’ve pulled together two days worth of incredible learning.
To see the full agenda of learning sessions visit BlogHop Conference hub at Blog Conference Newbie. I’m thrilled to be participating in this Conference from home with so many of my favorite bloggers! Follow the hashtag #BlogHopCon on twitter.
[...] Pay it Forward – Artful Networking - Rajean Blomquist of RajeanBlomquist.com [...]
Networking has been a huge, important part of blogging for me. Great post!!!
Jodi, I agree. Thanks for reading and commenting, now I see you paid attention to what was written
Love this post! Great tips. I need to search hashtags for topics like you mentioned. Good idea!
Thanks for popping by, Andrea. Yes, I can’t say enough positive about twitter chats within and outside of ‘your industry.’ I neglected to also mention twitter parties. Yes, fun is on the agenda and prizes are often a big incentive to attend, but I also learn and share a lot and have picked up valuable connections there, including brands. Win/win.
All great tips but I must disagree with #5. For meaningful interface it takes way more than time reading, sharing, replying. I spend at least two hours a day. Any secrets for speeding up the process
Actually, I respect that you disagree and you’ve done so in a professional manner. Thank you! Honestly, I also spend a LOT more than 15 minutes per day online in my networks, but the tip is directed more at the people we often hear saying, ‘I don’t have time for that social networking.’ There are days I can ‘get in and get out,’ within about 15 minutes to remain current. My tip on limited online time would be to set an alarm. Seriously. Time passes so quickly online because there is so much to read, learn, save/favorite, share and respond to. For me, I try to do my 15 minutes a few times a day, throughout the day, instead of four hours at a time. Hope that helps, if just a little. Thanks again, Layla. Love your name.
Excellent points, Rajean! I especially love this: “Jump out of the me box.”
And the part where you tell everyone to leave me comments.
What? You didn’t have the word “Lori” in there?
Lori, I think ‘stepping out of the me box’ is where the ‘artful’ comes in, because, frankly, now that I blog, I’ve noticed more self-promotion on my part. But we want to get our stories shared. It’s simply important we try to maintain a balance. I never want someone to visit my networks and walk away because they ‘threw up a little in their mouth’ because of the over-promotion. Ha, and now I reply with saying, everyone go read Lori’s blog, you won’t be disappointed!
Fantastic, Rajean. You’ve brought up some things I hadn’t thought about. Thanks!
I appreciate that, Shannon. I realize I (we) could write several posts on different aspects of networking. This post got longer than I had intended. More soon
Rajean…. So fabulously done. {Thanks thanks for the comment on my post} Often bloggers forget to invest….it’s in the time investment that we make connections and friends!
Excited to see what the upcoming months hold! Still crossing my fingers that we get fabulous news about Blog World.
Thank you so much, Megan. I’m learning from the best (wink). Fingers crossed here too. That would be wonderful news!
Great tips! I am loving all the posts I’m reading this weekend from the at home conference.
I’m on my 2nd blog. I wrote my 1st from 2007 to 2010 and started my new one just in January of this year. Networking has made such a huge difference in how far I’ve been able to go with my new blog. Not only do I spend time commenting on other sites, along with my own Facebook page and Twitter, but I spend a lot of time socializing with the local mom blogger group, mostly online. I am trying to take it offline more, especially with 4 out of my 5 kids going back to school this fall.
I’d say 15 minutes minimum daily though I bet we would all say that we easily spend an hour networking.
Barb, I am also enjoying the at home blog conference. So much valuable information. Congratulations on your new blog (which is still more established than my blog
And I hear you loud and clear about networking when you’re a parent. Fewer and farther in between which may make those times ‘taking it offline’ even more valuable. And I’m sure the hour (or more) per day rule is more common with those of us who already are in the trenches 
But those just beginning need to understand that 15 minutes per day can keep them current and active. It’s not as overwhelming. Thanks for reading & sharing!
Thanks, Rajean. As someone who’s learning to network all over again as I transition to a new industry, I appreciate each and every suggestion. Marketing ‘myself’ and going out with the intention of making friends doesn’t always feel natural to me, but it can be infinitely rewarding. Thanks again.
I’m happy you may be inspired to try more to ‘up’ your networking, Joshua. Remember, you are certainly not alone in the mktg myself boat. Try to have fun with it and good luck transitioning to your new industry. Actually, that can be exciting and gives you a lot to talk about and ask questions of others as you meet them. Appreciate the comments!
“Read your own feeds.” <—- Smart advice. That is one thing I don't do. I read everyone else's feeds and forget about mine. I think that would be a great way to evaluate how much time I'm sharing, broadcasting and engaging. Great post, Rajean!
Thanks, Becca, for your comment & feedback. I love thinking what I’ve written sparks something in someone
Great tips! I really love that you point out it’s not all fun and games. If you’re building a business (even from your blog), you have to treat it like one. Strategy even comes into play (even if people glaze over at the word- haha).
Have you ever read Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferazzi? It’s my favorite networking book. I read it before SM became mainstream but I think it lays out great principles to networking.
Great, Melissa, I’ve heard of the book but never read it – now it’s in my Kindle. Thank you for that and for reading & paying it forward and leaving your feedback!
I think it is really important to be true to yourself, but i still don’t like posting my photo…
my kids are way cuter.
It might be a valid point, Becca, and it can work if you take your kids along to offline networking events
Thanks for your comment!
Nicely written – thank you! I particularly liked the suggestion of reading through your own Tweets in order to get a handle on the ‘interest factor.’ Very important. Re: #5 I have found I typically spend an hour a day, at least, reviewing/reading/responding to my social media boards and messages. But I also feel that the more practiced I become at this, my time invested in the task will become shorter. Thanks again!
Hi Rajean,
Thank you for your post “Pay it Forward – Artful Networking” it was very enlightening. I find myself often shying away from networking events. I am a shy person, however very friendly. I think this will be my major flaw if I do not get over it as I look to start my own business. So with that I look forward to “stepping out of my box”. This is the first step, leaving a comment
Have a great day!
This pleases me, Dena. I love paying it forward. Terrific first step. It wasn’t so bad, now was it? Good luck with your business venture. I find that if I really love what I do, it is so much easier talking about it and sharing. I hope that works for you. Thanks for stepping out of the box here.
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