Social Networking

Seems there is no way to avoid it, if you ain't networking on line you ain't networking. Recently I met someone who earns their living teaching people how to maximize the return on the time they spend networking at sights such as LinkedIn, and Twitter, just to name two. As luck would have it, the subject came up again later in the same day and I was able to make a referral. After all, isn't the whole idea behind these sites to generate business?

I have used LinkedIn for several years and, with over 4,000 direct connections, I've found it to be very useful. I admit that I haven't gotten any business from using the site but I've been able to ask questions and get advice that has, if nothing else, provided information that increased my utility to my customers which I hope has resulted in additional business and income. I've made referrals, helped with connections and provided advice that I hope helped someone else do the same. I think the time was well spent.

I now have an account on Twitter that is definitely a horse of a different color. I always thought it was strictly for those chatting frivolously with no intention of doing any thing useful and probably couldn't even spell ROI. Boy was I wrong!

There seems to be something on Twitter for everyone and I haven't even scratched the surface. I'm still a neophyte but I'm beginning to catch on. Certainly don't follow as many people as I have LinkedIn connections but who know what might happen tomorrow. Will this be more that just a means of finding out whose changing their socks or will it be the first rung on a latter to online success?

If you want my answer you'll just have to keep your finger on the pulse of online networking; I just might show up.