I love Social Media. Yes, I use it for business, and it is absolutely essential for growing your business and connecting with your customers. BUT… the thing about social media that is truly amazing, the part that you don't hear about very often, is the power of networking through social media.Here's Our Little Secret- Everything that we have accomplished here at Assist Social Media was birthed from the power of networking. Networking through twitter to be exact.
Automation is great, and it is definitely needed in social media. There is just too much to do, and too many networks. What I want you to get, I mean really get, is that you being present on your social networks and actively interacting with your followers/fans cannot be substituted. Do you outsource your social media management? Even better. Don't think that just because someone is handling your social media that you can't get in there and network. In fact, you have an even greater opportunity to get in there and do some effective networking.
So What Is Networking Exactly?
Imagine yourself at a cocktail party. You are moving around the room, meeting different people from all walks of life, making small talk, learning more and more about them, and connecting with them. The most important part of networking is to always remember that at the root of it all is RELATIONSHIPS. Not sales, not thinking about what you can get out of the interaction, just relationships. If you go into networking with a closed mind or with only sales in mind, then you will miss out on the greater benefits that it can offer.
Some Cool Ways To Network
Facebook Groups- One of my favorites. Use Facebook search to find groups relevant to your industry, then interact within them. You already know that the people in them have similar interest. Jump in and start the conversation. You can also start your own group.
LinkedIn Groups Same concept as Facebook groups, just on LinkedIn
Twitter- by far, my favorite. It is so easy on Twitter to reach out and touch someone. Find people in your industry by search for a particular topic like "social media" or following industry leaders and checking out the lists they are members of and lists they are subscribed to. Lists are a great way to network and find people with the same interest as you.
What has the power of networking done in your life both personal and professional? Share with us in the comments below your positive experiences with networking. Join the other networking lovers who subscribe to our emails. Sign up and receive free tips and social media savvy right to your inbox!
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Great article. Networking has completely changed my business. I've gone from being an affiliate marketer just out there on my own, floating from product to product, to really finding my passion and being able to grow a "real" business. The connections I've made through social networking, mainly Facebook groups so far, are responsible for me realizing what I wanted to do, and that I could do it!
Me too Jennifer! I had my own company and worked for an affiliate for many years. I love having my social media company and helping people build their dreams! It’s my sweet spot helping people and using social media my two passions combined!
Excellent article..Love the point of Being Present!
yes.. you can’t network and meet new clients or make new friends unless you are real and spending time with them !
I totally agree, Angela. Networking can be very powerful. Twitter is my favorite also. Thanks for the advice about the FB groups.
Networking has changed my life and my business. Love the post! Marcy
mine too i love to meet new people on social media.. it’s been life altering !
Great post Angie! I love how both you and Liz met via Twitter. Twitter is definitely POWERFUL and like the 2 of you, is my social media of choice =) Love your facebook group btw!
woohoo glad you are there..;0 and we did.. I met my first business partner via yahoo chat.. and met Kim Garst through Twitter too..HELLO some very cool people are on twitter. I meet my first 2 clients there as well..;0
Thanks for sharing Angela and Elizabeth. It really is about building relationships and growing from there. It's taken me a long time to realize this and now that I'm getting better at practicing it I seem to be getting more interaction from other people.
you will get many things.. more business, more friendships, and more business connections.
Great article! Networking online is much easier for me but I know I need to do the in person networking too! This definitely encourages me to just do it! Thanks
oh I’m glad1 it will help you find clients and meet awesome people that you will learn from! I built my first business on the back of social media! I had the relationships in place first.. then the business streamed to me.
Great article. I love social media, I would never have met the most awesome people around, if it wasn't for Facebook and Twitter!
I met you my darling friend on twitter and what a wonderful friendship we have now!
Social networking has launched my business further and faster than traditional marketing ever could have. How? I've met key business partners on Facebook clear across the country. Without social media I never would have met these awesome friends and business partners.
Same here Carol.. My first business was built by listening to client needs and offering a product they needed.. never asked for one sales.. they came to me.. because they already knew and trusted me..;0
I would have never thought social media could be so profound in our lives. I have met many friends this way and I absolutely treasure them! We have connected via telephone and skype since meeting online. Need I say more? It's incredible!
no I love the friends, clients and awesome business people I have met using social media! It’s where I have built 2 successful business..
Love your tips on different ways to network! I really enjoy meeting people this way. Great job!
Thank you Sarah and thank you so much for sharing your post with us! People loved it! I enjoy visiting you beautiful site and reading your great tips as well!
Thank you for sharing! Networking changed my life forever!
ours too Stacy !! Networking on social media has brought us amazing business and awesome friendships! The best things that Social media has to offer.
Love this post and all the tips you shared…it is so very true that networking is all about building relationships. I only wish more people would understand that
Thanks Daisy and WOW I’m so proud of you and that Forbes top Mom sites!! woohoo! I can say her.. Dr Daisy yeah I know her.. she’s awesome.. If it were not for social media we would have never met.. It’s it amazing!
Great post about how powerful networking is. Thanks for sharing it with us!
It is so great.. I never would have met you and how fun that has been lorii!
I'm learning just how powerful networking can be!
I have noticed1 You and I net through your networking efforts and I was so honored that you asked me to review your book! That’s how it all starts !
I love networking! I have made some great friends through networking online and in my offline networking groups. In order to have a successful business, you have to network!!
you and I would have never met no doubt and formed a friendship and gotten to know each other so well! It’s been awesome!
so often I get bogged down in the charging credit cards/ delivering product/ training downline/ placing orders part of my business and don't put enough eggs in the marketing basket. But networking and social media is much more than marketing as you've shown here. thank you for helping to shine a light on this fact!
Thanks Heather.. if you think about it.. we would have never met if it weren’t for networking together.. how awesome is that..;) yes it’s great for business but with that business comes friendships and amazing connections!
I really have to get my rear in gear as far as LinkedIn is concerned. Haven't had the time but I guess I need to make the time
Networking is awesome! When I think of how many new and great people that I have met through the power of social networking…wow…it boggles my mind! So many amazing ways to connect….I just love it (although Linkedin, for some reason, still baffles me….lol). Great post!
I am learning more and more about social media! Thanks for sharing your insights! Great article!
I love the connections we get to make! social media is so much fun and useful for business!
I love networking. I`ve met such awesome people that have become friends for life. Social Media is an awesome way to do business. It is a relationship venue and when you can establish friendship & trust, the rest follows naturally. I love it. Great post!
me too Norma.. I have collected so many wonderful contacts and had great business opportunities come my way by networking on social media.
Networking has been an incredible boost to my business. It has really allowed me to meet some incredible people who I would not have likely met without social media.
Same here Sara.. That is how I met you and some of the best clients I know!
Thanks Liz and Angie! This was a very valuable article and it's obvious you know what you are talking about. It will be really interesting to follow you both in the future since I can see how you are using some insights from dating tips to creating business relations… I balance between english and swedish writing which is a challenge since it takes time to update and has to be on a personal level too
Thanks Liz! This was a very valuable article and it's obvious you know what you are talking about. It will be really interesting to follow you in the future since I can see how you are using your insights from dating tips to creating business relations… I balance between english and swedish writing which is a challenge since it takes time to update and has to be on a personal level too
Networking, especially on twitter and in Facebook groups has turned my life around. I've discovered a whole new purpose for living and a wonderful community of people to interact with! So glad to have met you and Liz too!
It has been so awesome networking with you. I have met all the people that I do business with networking online. I have also just met people that have added value to my life and helped me decide yes this is what I want to do!
I've been enjoying social media so much more since I have the time to network directly rather than having to automate the majority of my posts.
Great post! Being new to social media I really wasn't sure what benefit it could be, but even after a relatively short time on Facebook and Twiiter I've connected with some amazing people!
I love this post Angie as well as my relationship with you! We became friends and then I wanted to become a better writer like you and show you how to use that power to help others and sell products that promote Business. This is my sweet spot. Helping others do just what I've done with social media! Grow relationships and a business at the same time. SWEET!