This is the first blog post of four in my “Online networking” series where I’ll be sharing with you each of the online networks I participate in, how I use each service/site, why I do it, and how best to interact with me.
If you’re new to the Internet and online networking then let me take a moment to explain what this is all about.
Conventional networking is something you will have done many times but probably not realised you do it. Your network is built up of links and people. People in your network are those that you provide (and they provide you) with information, advice, and services. The links (and the strength of those links) to those people is established through the trust you build up in your relationship. Think of the people you know, how you’ve come to know them and how much you trust their various attributes such as their word, advice on certain things, abilities etc… Each person is part of your network and each person has a network of their own which is available through your network; the people they know become part of your extended network.
Networking is the act of maintaining and expanding your network by converting those in the extended network into your personal network and strengthening those links by increasing trust.
Online Networking uses tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other specialist interest sites to the same end.
I currently use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and DailyMile, forums, and RSS feeds to build my online network as I find these of most benefit to me; it’s important to use the tools and services which benefit you most and that you feel most comfortable with.
I only have so much time so I need to make sure I use it wisely. Time can be either spent or invested; for me I invest time in online networking and expect to see a return on that investment. It’s important for me to receive a return on the time I invest. I don’t look to make money from online networking even though I have a number of online ventures. The return I seek is information that I can use and recognition from giving information to other people; the information I receive increases my knowledge, and the information I give helps increase my authoritative stance on various topics.
It’s important to mix online and offline networking; online networking should not replace real life meetings.
Now that you know what online networking is and my motivation for investing time in doing it, the next posts will cover what networks/services I use, some do’s and don’ts, and a summary.
The next post in this series is “Tools and Websites“, other posts in this series;
Online Networking: Do’s and Don’ts
Online Networking: Summary
Until the next post.
