Making an initial connection online is just the first step to successful networking!
Anyone who has found success in business will agree that networking has played a major role in his/her advancement. Networking is defined by Investopedia as “the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, often in an informal social setting.”
Since the social media age began a couple of years ago, it has commonly been referred to as “networking on steroids.” But think about it… is social media really a form of networking?
For many people, it is. It’s a way to connect with people that you never would have reached previously, and then makes it easier to maintain a relationship, learn more about them, and help each other or work together. But many people don’t use it that way.
Take LinkedIn, for example… the ultimate business networking tool. Connect with people, learn more about what they do, give recommendations to each other, and suggest your connections to other connections because you believe they could help each other. But when you connect with anyone you possibly can without truly knowing them, does that initial connection count as networking? I’ve asked people to connect me their connection, and the answer back is “Oh, I don’t really know that person.” In that case, I can’t trust your recommendation. I mean fo real, ne1 can seem professional and business savvy online unless u talk like this lol.
Social media is still a great method of expanding your market and delivering your message to more people than could have ever been possible previously. 3,000 LinkedIn connections, 2,000 Facebook “friends,” 50,000 Twitter followers… that makes a great advertising base. But does that really make you a networking guru?
I’m more impressed with the person that has networked with 50 people than connected with 5,000 people. What about you?