Tips In Successful Social Networking

I made a small tweak to this blog a couple of weeks ago. I removed all the RSS chicklets and replaced them with “Friend Me” icons from Twitter, Myspace, Viddler etc.

Why? becuase I want to connect with more people beyond the realm of this blog. The more you are active on the social networks the more are the chances that you will be successful.

For a long time I stayed away from the social media sites. There after when I joined them I made several mistakes. Later, I spent about 18 months or so learning the nuances of being social and visible in these networks. Trust me you could be the most social human being on earth but when it comes to being active on media sites there is a lot of learning you have to do upfront.

Networking makes you friends and makes you money if you do it the right way. Once you decide you want to go at it alone and leave everyone else in the lurch while you score billions, then you have moved into intergalactic warlord territory. Your successful business must include interacting with people on some level.

Consider these important tips to successful networking.

1. Be a Friend

Networking should be about being a genuine and authentic person??”in other words, being a friend. Be somebody that others can trust. Be the sort of man or woman that even your competitors respect as an honest authority. Scheme evil or display a harsh or unsympathetic attitude and you won??™t win any friends. Be sure to spread the friendship around and be nice to a variety of people, even the ones on the ???bottom??? that you don??™t need. Your generosity will be remembered.

2. Plan Out Your goals

Don??™t mindlessly join groups just to join. Always ask yourself what your goals are in participating in a new group. Some may be held for continuing educations, others may be present an opportunity to make contacts or new business connections. Having an ulterior motive is not a good idea, but realizing the advantages of your surroundings is the mark of a professional.

3. Ask Smart Questions

Don??™t use a new business contact as a means to prove your own philosophy by asking rhetorical questions. Even yes or no questions are a bit pointless. Ask open-ended questions that involve specifics. When knowledgeable people are asked to expound upon a basic idea, they usually go off into a variety of directions. This is a golden opportunity for learning and for making lasting business friendships.

4. Follow Up On Referrals Right Away

When you are given a referral follow up on it right away. Not only must you quickly take advantage of a new opportunity (letting it lie for a while just kills the interest) but you will also be reflecting on the person who gave you the referral in the first place. Treat the situation with proper decorum and act quickly and efficiently.