It takes time to connect with people, make friends and grow your network online. You can’t just throw money at it – especially if you’re a small business.
What with the emergence of Social Media like Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook it is possible to make new connections, and just like networking in the real world can lead to work, sales, collaboration and friendship, so to can online networking.
Freelancer ? Get on Twitter
If you haven’t done so already, you need to start tweeting and following other tweeple. If you haven’t heard about Twitter, you need to.
If you know what it is but are still unsure about how it could help your business, start looking at what people are saying.
As a kennel owner and basset hound breeder I’ve found Twitter has put me in touch with dog breeders and basset owners which connects nicely with the work I do as a kennel owner. If it wasn’t for Twitter, for example, and a conversation that took place there I probably wouldn’t be feeding my dogs ProPlan right now.
If you’re involved in sales or marketing, this should strike a chord already! Social Media isn’t just about idle chat; it’s a way to form online connections and some of that can lead to sales.
Enhance Twitter for Other People
A good tip is to retweet (RT) useful information and links that you come across. The tweeple you RT will appreciate your efforts to help get their message across; your followers may also benefit from your efforts.
Try and post useful links and resources each day and not just dross. That’s a sure way of becoming a valued twitterer.
Some folks like to use a designated account for business and one for personal use. That’s fine too, but the boundary between the personal and public is increasingly blurring. As a freelance writer and translator I’ve made a conscious decision to use just one account on twitter as who I am is very much linked to what I do.
Don’t Forget the Blogs
It’s easy to forget about what’s happening in the bloggosphere what with everyone seemingly on Facebook and Twitter at the moment. Commenting on blogs remains a very useful way of building online relationships. I often look to see if someone is on Twitter after I’ve read a good comment by someone.
As part of his 31 Days to Build a Better Blog series problogger Darren Rowse advocates emailing someone who has commented on your blog as a way to building readership. It’s also a great way of growing your online network.
Engage but don’t lose focus
Spending time talking to people online is an important step if you’re going to grow your network. Absolutely. But don’t forget to put your efforts into networking off-line too. The client that contacted me for work yesterday didn’t come about because of net or online marketing. It was someone I got talking to at a schoolboy football match.
Image: Flickr CC
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