Visible Networking

NET - People are always interested!

Yes, most of the time they are! Think about yourself: you would do the same. If you need something, you need to go and find it!

Online networking and offline events
Since 2003, I developped a good interest for online networking: when you attend the events from openBC or Ecademy according to you what is the room's audience? Most of people are selling their services or are looking for a job... It is still very rare to find fellow networkers who are ready to spend time and money, mainly for the possibility to meet fantastic people and create value from the randomness of those events!

Eventually, you will be looking for something too
Moreover, it is exactely as if you were complaining (wrongly) about how much time it takes to network: when you will need something, you would not mind spending a couple of hours if only it enables you to get the job you are looking for, would you?

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - It takes all your free time

I have a demanding job, a life, a family so time is precious and I can't spend 1 hour a day on networking sites!

It is not that demanding: you may want to spend one hour per week... you may want to spend two hours per day. It all depends on your situation: the amount of free time you have, and how in a hurry you are to find something! (a job or a client for instance)

The important first step is to be visible: so please invest a bit of time at the beginning, and create a useful profile on the relevant websites. Be as specific as you want and thing about the people you would like to get in touch with: they need to be attracted by your profile.

And don't worry, you can always hide your contact details so you won't get spammed!

Tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - It is too impersonal

It is too impersonal! Why would I contact persons I have never met? How would I get in touch with them without being intrusive?

That is the magic of networking and visibility! Thanks to your online profiles, you have the opportunity to share your passions with the other members: it becomes easier to get in touch with people if you have something in common!

Tqgs: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - It is expensive

Would you invest $10,000 in a young company which is forecast to have the same success as Microsoft? Do you have shares?

First, you do not have to pay to be a networker: you have to meet people, to manage your contacts, and to expand your network.

But to accomplish that, you need to get in touch with people, you need to meet people: how would you price the possibility of getting in touch with a client who will eventually sign with you the biggest ever deal for your company? How would you value the possibility to get in touch with your future employer, in the industry you always have been passionate about?

With online networks, you can do a lot for free: invite people, access the profiles of your contacts' contacts, find a job.

Nevertheless, most of those sites Business Models include a Premium Membership. And some of them organize meetings. But anyway, are you paying for your alumni association? This is one of the first 5 steps to increase your visibility!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - It does not work

I am curious and would like to understand how you measured that? What have you done so far which made you come to that conclusion?

It is like people who have been looking for a job for 6 months and can't find anything: my first question is to know what they have done. What was their methodology?

Same thing with networking: it can take time, but should you do it the right way I am confident anything is possible!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - I don't want to share my contacts

You are not obliged to share your contacts. Usually, you can hide them from the other members, and decide or not to forward a request of contact from another member.

You are not obliged to upload all your contacts, so you control everything.

One more time, sharing is winning and this is the basis of networking: you help people, introduce people, you create opportunities for your contacts, the contacts of your contacts, and for yourself!
We all create value together.

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - I don't need it

You don't need it... now!
That is one of my favourites reaction. People don't understand why they would spend a bit of time to take care and develop their network of contacts.

Start now, and at your pace
You invest for the future: the more you do now, the easier it is going to be when you will need to find a job, a business partner, a client. You need to be visible and build a credibility... and it takes time.
But you can do it smartly and cultivate your network without thinking "it takes all my free time"!

Build Credibility & Trust
Remember one thing: within your network of contacts, you build credibility and trust. You are looking for another job, don't wait for that moment but start networking now!

Networking is about giving, sharing, and hopefully receiving as well: it proved to be more difficult to get something from someone, and all the networks would be ruined if more than 50% of their members were actively looking for something with nothing much to give away!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - I don't have a network

How many times did I hear that? I lost count...
Everyone does have a networking: whether you realize it, or not! The idea is more "how do I manage my network?" or "how do I expand my network?"

You have a network of contacts
What is a network? It is basically people you know, or you can contact. It is made by people you know very well, and people who knows your friends very well, ...

For people interested, you can study the famous 6 degrees of Separation theory (and especially if you are a huge fan of Kevin Bacon!)

Your family, your close friends, your fellow sportsmate, your colleagues, your fellow students... all those people compose your network of contacts. And they know people -> potentially, you can then get in touch with their contacts too!

Please visit my video post about "How to manage your contacts?"

Tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!

NET - Everything is in English

English, English, English: some of you may say that everything is in English... To that, I would say Yes... and No!

Yes... and it is for good!
First, most of the networking websites were created in the US (West Coast). Then, using one language enables all the members to share and to increase their visibility.
In terms of Business Models, based on the number of users you can reach, it is also more powerful.

No... you can find national alternatives!
This touch the topic of vertical sites opposed to generalist. By language falls in a way in that category.
Networking sites are blossoming, with various business models and coverage: vertical and specialized in a specific industry (such as wiwh or Bankclub) or in a specific language (Viaduc).
There is also hybrids such as openBC which take into accounts a dozen languages.

So, language shouldn't be a barrier, and I am confident you could find a site adapted to your needs and your demands!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
Please react: post your comments and/or send a TrackBack!