Networking is something everyone does, whether they realize it or not. We are always constantly meeting new people in an effort to better ourselves and to solve the problems we encounter, whether they be personal or professional. As I said recently in this space, I have found that it is much more efficient to network with people online than it is in real life. People online seems to be more friendly and willing to share their experience and knowledge. Through my blog and other efforts to network online, I have met a lot of great people over the past few months.
I have compiled my top five reasons for networking online.
- No one knows everything. The fact is that most people have one main area of expertise and are less skilled in other areas. The owner of an e-business has to take on many different jobs and tasks. Though I have learned many skills in the past few months related to running a business, in truth I am a business novice; there are many situations that I don’t know how to handle. Thanks to my network of friends and supporters, I am almost always able to find the right advice from someone who has experience in a specific area.
- New opportunities for business ventures. Just because you live in Hong Kong and I live in Arizona doesn’t mean we can’t work together! Networking business people and entrepreneurs is something the Internet does very well now through social networks such as LinkedIn and PartnerUp. These networks are the stomping grounds of successful people and those who are looking to become successful.
- Market yourself before you ever meet. One of the best things about blogging is that you are able to market yourself and your abilities prior to interacting with others. If you convey a professional, dedicated, and serious online persona, people will seek you out for knowledge, business opportunities, and work!
- A global perspective. Let’s face it. Despite how much we think we know, we know precious little in the global scheme of things. We are fortunate that the Internet brings together diverse people and cultures. Who do you think knows more about marketing in China – I or someone from China? That being said, there are fundamental similarities we all share, and a love of the Internet and business is something I have used as starting point to find common ground with people all over the world!
- The perfect candidate is out there. All of us who have started or run our own business know the difficulty of finding the right person for the job. We all have an idea of who the “right candidate” is, but in the traditional hiring process, we hire only those who are local to us. The Internet has changed all that; businesses are now being started and becoming successful without its employees ever meeting each other!
Conclusion
If you have not started chatting with people in your community or network, I highly recommend that you begin doing so. And by chatting, I mean using an IM client, such as Skype, Gtalk, MSN, or AIM. I use all four of those to keep in contact with between 30-50 people, all of whom I have “met” in the past 4 months. Some of the best business advice, tips, and strategies I have received have occurred in instant-message conversations.
I strongly believe “What goes around, comes around,” otherwise known as Karma. By sharing your knowledge and advice with others, you generate good will that comes back around to you. The potential for generating goodwill is virtually unlimited through online networking. New eggs are hatched constantly that may determine your path and success in life.
