| It Is Time to Get Involved in Networking | | | | that may be appropriate sometimes, but you cannot |
| First you must get involved with your network. There | | | | do that regularly or you will jeopardize your credibility. |
| are several things that you can do: | | | | Web 2.0 applications, like LinkedIn, Facebook, etc are |
| | | | predicated upon conversations; get involved and |
| 1. You must answer and ask questions. | | | | demonstrate your networking value. |
| 2. Your expertise is missing from the conversations. | | | | You Need To Create Valuable Information |
| 3. You need to contribute valuable information. | | | | When you are participating share valuable information. |
| 4. Grow your network by adding friends, connections, | | | | Many people are afraid to add anything of value |
| and followers. | | | | because they believe that if they wait long enough |
| 5. Your value is increased by posting articles and other | | | | they will be able to sell the information. Although that |
| information that resonates with your network. | | | | may be true, your audience will eventually recognize |
| These actions all contribute to the overall value of your | | | | you as someone that participates but adds little or no |
| network and the benefit you provide to your network | | | | value. |
| members. | | | | If your goal is to develop relationships that are based |
| Therefore to be an effective networker you must be | | | | upon credibility and trust; you must be willing to give |
| adding value to your network. | | | | valuable information. |
| You Must Answer and Ask Questions | | | | Grow Your Network By Adding Friends, Connections, |
| The Internet is full of people with questions and people | | | | and Followers |
| looking for questions to answer. Everyone of these is | | | | One very valuable contribution that you can make to |
| an opportunity for you. Find out what questions exist; | | | | you network is adding friends, connections, and |
| then draw either upon your previous knowledge or | | | | followers. Your first level connections are the weak |
| research the answer. When you find that answer post | | | | connections for your other first level connections. |
| it. And then do it again and again. | | | | Through your relationships with new people you |
| The truth is there are a lot of lazy people out there | | | | extend the breadth and scope of that person's |
| looking for someone that will answer or find the | | | | network and the networks of all of your other |
| answers to their questions. Be that person and you will | | | | contacts. |
| start building a reputation of being a benefit to your | | | | The reality is that most opportunities are found one or |
| network. | | | | two levels removed from your immediate connections |
| Make sure that you get good answers and if, for | | | | so network growth increases everyone's opportunities. |
| some reason you post something that turns out to be | | | | Grow your network and expand the sphere of |
| incorrect, fix it immediately! We all make mistakes; you | | | | influence for yourself and the members of your |
| just need to make sure you correct them immediately. | | | | network. |
| The more questions you answer correctly and the | | | | Your Value Is Increased By Posting Articles and Other |
| better the answers you provide; will add to your | | | | Information That Is Relevant to Your Network |
| credibility, reputation, and brand. | | | | The last method of adding value that I will discuss is |
| Your Expertise Is Missing From the Conversation | | | | the process of posting articles and other information |
| The Internet is full of conversations and therefore | | | | that is relevant to your network. When you encounter |
| opportunities to share your expertise. Join Social | | | | information that you find of value, chances are other |
| Networking groups that are relevant to your expertise | | | | members of your network will find value as well. As |
| and join in. Your group members are always looking | | | | one who disseminates information you increase your |
| for members that will add value to existing | | | | value to your network and raise your value in their |
| conversations and start relevant conversations of their | | | | eyes. |
| own. | | | | Build your brand, create credibility and trust, by adding |
| Make sure that what you add is of value. Many people | | | | value to your network. It will generate rewards that will |
| participate with one or two line statements; although | | | | pay you back over and over. |