A few thoughts on Connecting online

The short answer is you make new associates online in the same manner you do in the real world. You start by finding out about one another and determine if there is a reason to continue to do so. Its a lot like rocket science without all the rocket or any of the science.

The long answer is oddly enough, longer. You start by finding someone and viewing their profile. Obviously some profiles are filled out extremely well and others aren’t. Glean what you can from what is written. Don’t make the assumption that because their profile isn’t properly filled out that they aren’t worth knowing. Lots of great and busy people get online and are still waiting for “later” to come so they can fill out their profile.

If you see something you like, send them a note that says-

“I came across your profile on x platform and I really like what you wrote about X.” (Copy their sentence and paste it right into your note). Tell them why that sentiment resonates with you and suggest a way to follow up via either phone or email.

Lots of people try to set up face to face meetings through linkedin or other sites. Color me old fashioned, but I think a first meeting, if not at an event, should be over the phone. This gives you a chance to explore the synergies and then determine if a face to face is in order. The reality is everybody is busy. There is no sense in meeting with a lot of people under the guise of “networking” if we will only be “netting” together.

Five questions to consider before jumping into sites like Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter

With so much conversation regarding social media, I thought it time to discuss it here.

Are you using it?

Are you using it effectively?

Am I making an assumption that you know what Social Media is?

Let me answer the last question first. Social Media is a term that is frequently bounced around these days that effectively means the same as: Web 2.0, Social Networking, Digital Marketing, or just the sites one uses like: Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Flickr, Myspace and Youtube.

Here’s what all of these sites have in common: They help you communicate with like-minded individuals. Very simply stated, Social Media is a conversation.

Back to the earlier questions about how you’re using it.

Conversations online are just like conversations in the real world, you need to be engaging the right people in the right discussions. Many people setup a facebook or linkedin account and think that’s all there is to it. That’s the equivalent of showing up to a party and not talking with anyone. Load up your contacts (add friends on facebook and connections on linkedin). Use the status update, not so much to answer “What are you working on?” but as a way to be intriguing or share knowledge. Post links of interest, comment on other people’s thoughts and ideas and most importantly, ask questions.

Here are a couple of other thoughts to consider:

Should you be spending time doing this?

Are you participating in the right conversations? Are you talking with customers, vendors, business partners or better yet, all three?

Are you on the right sites to find what you seek?

Are people responding to conversations you start?

If you could only use three sites, which ones would they be?

I shall look forward to your side of the conversation.