Ten Top Tips for Networking Online, a Guest Post by Krissy Jackson
Posted on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 @ 02:13 PM
A guest post by career coach Krissy Jackson:
- Network strategically. Do some research, and join two to three online networking groups that your target market belongs to.
- Attach a professional photo to your profile. Remember, a picture tells 1000 words. Think about what you want prospective business connections to ascertain from your picture. A photo is an essential element when building trust with others online. Without a photo, online networking is completely ineffective.
- Fill in your profile, adding as much relevant information as you can. If you have a website - or two or three - make sure you feature them. This is the part of online networking that is like working the room at a live event. You are letting people know who you are and, initially, if you are relevant to each other and worth getting to know. If your profile is empty, people will not contact you.
- Don't just gather contacts. You will notice that there are some people in networking groups with hundreds of contacts on their lists, which is a bit like the live networker who runs around the room shoving business cards in everybody's hands, grabbing cards as they go. These names are useless unless you have something in common and keep in touch. Keep a list of your contacts' names, email addresses, interests, and needs. Is there someone you can introduce a contact to? Have you recently seen an article that would interest them? Look at their "Haves" and "Wants'" (found on the profile page), and see if there is something you can do to help them.
- Have a weekly theme. Link to great articles you have found and post a comment. Repurpose your posts. What you have posted on one of your networks can be used on another. Remember: A lot of time can be wasted reading posts on networking sites, so be clear about your weekly objectives, and set timelines around them.
- Share your knowledge and wisdom. Make yourself a valuable resource - someone people want to get to know.
- Your website URL is your online business card. You wouldn't go to a live event without your business cards, so don't post without adding your URL under your name.
- Be likeable. This is as relevant online as it is in life. Be aware that most online network members are invisible. They never post or speak their minds, but they do read. Everything you write will reflect your personality and your business and will, therefore, influence their decision about whether or not to use your services. Remember, most online networking sites are global, so it is also important to be culturally sensitive. Read your text carefully before you post.
- Post regularly. When networking online, you need to post at least three times a week to stay visible. This does not mean starting a new discussion every time. You can simply reply or add value to a topic that is already live. Posting will:
- Lead people back to your profile page to learn more about you and your business.
- Give people the opportunity to learn about your interests and opinions and decide if those interests and opinions are in line with their own thoughts and feelings on various topics.
- Keep you visible. If you are not posting online, it is like leaving the room at a live event.
- Give first. Results are not immediate when networking online, but they do come, usually in a big way, if you are sincere and create real value for the people around you.
NOTE: If you post helpful and interesting information, people will visit your website's home page to learn more about you. But, remember, don't post too much either, or people will think you have too much time on your hands.
About Krissy Jackson
Career coach Krissy Jackson, specializes in working with women in IT and communications. Known for her straightforward coaching style and her ability to focus quickly on key issues, Christine has attracted a global client following representing a variety of industries. To read more of her articles and career coaching tips, visit http://www.ITGirlsCoach.com.