Social Networking Builds Your Platform

By Kim Dushinski - Jun 22 , 2007

What do you get when you combine these two concepts?

“It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know” and “She told two friends and they told two friends…”

——-Social Networking!

You may think social networking is only done on MySpace or that only teenagers are invloved, but you’d be wrong. Social networking has gone mainstream and people of all ages are participating. And don’t for a minute think it is just about making personal friends and doesn’t apply to business. It does. It might help to think of social networking as a business after hours function.

In both situations, a group of people will have all come together with the general idea of meeting and networking with like-minded folks. Introductions will be made and conversations started. When it makes sense a longer-term relationship will be forged.

The only difference is whether you meet for the first time face to face or virtually. Either way you’re networking. The social part comes in when you get a chance to virtually meet everyone else your new friend has befriended. And it so great that you can network when the time is right for you, not just once a month when the after hours event is held.

It is easy to get started. Just go to the social networking sites listed below. Register and create your profile. Then, start making connections. I’ve included my information below so you can add me as your first friend. Just think of me as the person you know in the room that you can talk to if you get overwhelmed.

Some tips you will find helpful as you get going:

1. You will want to have a good, current picture of yourself that looks good in a very small size. You’ll be uploading this as your avatar at all the sites. Choose one you really like because it will be your identity online for a long time.

2. Decide on a user name to use. Some folks prefer to be more anonymous and use a cryptic name. I use my real name. After all, at a business after hours event I wouldn’t hold out my hand and say, “Hi, I’m moonlight28.”

3. Write up a short bio about yourself offline so it’s ready to copy and paste when you’re doing your profile.

4. Give it some time. If you’re new to it, it may feel a bit weird at first. But you’ll catch on soon enough.

Social Sites to Check Out:

Book Marketing Network
(This is a social network started by John Kremer specifically for authors and publishers.)
LinkedIn
Facebook
BusinessMom
Sk*rt

If you’re a blogger, also check out:

MyBlogLog
BlogCatalog

Additional Resources:

Free site to keep track of and share all your social networking IDs.
You can see the list of social networking sites in which I participate and my user ID so you can find me there.

Another great article that further explains Social Networking can be found here.

Next week:
6 Ways Blogging Can Help Your Book Marketing