Keys to Successful Online Networking

Successful online networking requires two things:

1. Time – that is, you have to do it for a while before you see results.
2. Time – that is, you have to take the time TO do it on a regular basis!

In addition to patiently doing it, you have to do the right things. The wrong things get you ignored, insulted, and potentially in court!

The right things include:

• Be nice. Just be friendly, and be yourself. That is the best way to make friends.
• Write regularly. People remember the names they see often.
• Be helpful. Find ways to offer help on little things.
• Be considerate. Reply to messages, say thank you about compliments, make compliments that are sincere.
• Give something of value. Write a tip, share a great find, tell a clean joke.
• Drop a signature line. Leave a signature line with a URL at the end of every post. Keep it short and sweet, or nobody will read it.
• Choose the forums for the right reasons – professional forums for professional learning, help forums to gain clients.

Along with DOING the right things, you have to avoid doing the wrong things:

• Don’t advertise. Nobody likes a hit and run forum poster who is only out for themselves.
• Don’t be pushy and reply to a request for help with “I sell this, come hire me.”, or any variation thereof!
• If someone asks for the service you offer, reply OFF list, not on list!
• Don’t break the rules. Forum rules are no joke, you’ll get kicked off it you are inconsiderate about them.
• Don’t expect clients from your first few visits. You have to stick it out before people take you seriously.
• Don’t be a lurker. It won’t do you any good if nobody knows you are there.
• Don’t be rude – you never know who is reading what you write. Even if you think you are right, or even if the other guy is rude, you’ll put people off and ruin your reputation.

Online networking is all about relationships, and those relationships are developed through writing – no writing, no relationships! If you feel that you do not write well, then get in there and start trying. I promise you, it gets better with practice, and any sincere effort is better than no effort at all.

It takes longer to develop relationships online than it does offline. The advantage is, you can do it on your own time. You don’t have to show up on someone else’s schedule, you can network in your pajamas at 11:30 at night, and nobody cares!

People want to do business with people they like, and trust. In order to BE liked, and BE trusted, you have to be nice, and you have to be consistent. Those things are absolutely achievable by anyone who is smart and has a heart.

Get in there, and start writing something – make your voice heard!