How To Expand And Strengthen Your Social Network

Networking is one of the best avenues to build up your business.  It helps to increase your awareness and your customer base.  It also gives you professional resources to enhance and strengthen your skills and knowledge. 

You should consider networking both online and offline  as they are both great ways to market yourself.  Some examples of networking offline include joining local associations and organizations.  Some examples of networking online are joining forums, chat rooms and social networking sites like BetterNetworker.  Heres how to strengthen your social network:

Step One – Figure out what your networking goals are.

For alot of people the best strategy for their social networking is centered around building relationships.  Some of the different relationships you can build through networking  include:

* Joint venture (JV) partnerships
* Mentor relationships 
* Friends and resources
* Customers

You have to make a  social strategy as to how you are going to network with the various individuals.  Are you looking to seek partnerships or looking for mentors or a combination of above?  No matter what the answer, you have to map out a plan of action so you dont overwhelme yourself.

Next, you have to create your networking plan.

You will want to start by answering some questions:

* Who is your target audience?
* What relationships are you looking to find and build?
* What do you have to offer them?
* What networking sites or organizations will you participate in?
* How are you going to represent yourself online?
* How often are you going to post/participate? 
* Will you create specific promotions and offers for your networking audience?

Third, choose the websites and organizations you are going to join.
Whether it be a local organization or a website that you join, keep in mind your social strategy and your goals. Gauge whether or not the place you choose to join is going to take you a step further towards reaching your goals before you decide to join them.  What can they do for you?

For instance, if you’re wanting to start a joint venture partnership then you may consider joining a professional networking site, or a chat room, or forum that is in the same industry as you.  This will get you where you need to be and meeting the right individuals.  If you more want to create a loyal customer base and brand yourself then you may want to join a social networking site.

Networking sites are usually valued by the amount of members they have but more importantly you want to make sure the site you join is in line with the type of business you are in.  If you sell medicare insurance to seniors and are looking for an older market then you might not want to have a social networking profile up on MySpace since the primary market for Myspace is the younger generation.

Last, You Have to Participate in your networks.  The only way networking will work is if you participate.  Here are a few tips on interaction when you are networking online or offline.

Be engaged. The main purpose of networking is so you can connect with other people.  Communicate with your network in a manner that they can respond to.  Use their language, and address issues that they will find interesting and want to read about.  Provide resources and information that they will benefit from.

Be consistent and update on a regular basis.  If you are going to develop a following online then you have to stay connected with your reader base, it’s important to regularly update content so they will keep an interest in your work.  Since many folks have made it a habit of doing some type of networking online once a day (like myself I keep access to my main social networking site all day long), it’s important to stop by and add some value.  This could merely be you commenting on a blog post from someone on your social networking site.  If you cannot regularly spend time on the sites you may want to consider the hiring of a virtual assistant.

Keep your sales pitches to a minimum.  Offer value first and expect to receive later.  Networking is more about the give then the receive.  The giving turns into sales in the long run.