Build your network

You or your business may have a page on Facebook, you’re tapped into LinkedIn, active on Google+ and involved in countless other social media networks.  Many people are living a myth that they are building a network and expanding their reach.  Check out these thoughts to ensure social media are meeting your expectations.

Thought 1:  Why?  Think about what you’d like to accomplish or use each social media site for.  Write down your purpose for each network you’re part of.  You may use Facebook to see what friends and family are up to – you monitor their status and post your own for them to see.  LinkedIn my hold your business contacts, those in your industry, professionals you encounter and those you meet at networking events.

Thought 2:  It’s a start.  You’ve connected with someone on a social media site – it may be someone you met at a networking event, or a reconnection with a past school chum. You may connect with someone within your industry or a person you admire.  Remember you have only scratched the surface, you don’t have a relationship with these people.

Thought 3:  Build your network.  I define my network as those people that I could call with a question, recommend a resource to and congratulate for an achievement.  They are people that I’ve met in person or spoken to over the phone.  My relationship with my network is more than a simple connection through a website.  When I connect with someone through social media, I build my relationships through a phone call or meeting for coffee.

Thought 4:  Nurture.  During the building process, I may meet someone I would like to partner with someday, admire greatly or has accomplished something I would like to accomplish.  Some people I just enjoy their company and am interested in getting to know more about them.  The only way to nurture these relationships is through a personal connection – over the phone or in person.  Social media may show you some hints of who someone is, email may answer a few questions, but personal connections are the only way to build a stronger relationship.

Thought 5:  Effort.  Building your network is active, not passive.  It takes time and effort on your part.  The bigger your network, the more resources you have at your disposal.  The bigger your network, the bigger reach and influence you’ll have in others’ lives.  The bigger your network, the more ideas and opportunities will come your way.
The bigger your network, the greater likelihood for success.  People do things for people they know – get to know your network.

Thought 6:  Add value.  Strengthen your network by adding value to others.  Recommend a book, write a blog, offer to introduce people in your network.  Adding value to others is a great way for people to remember you – and it’s a lot of fun.

What tips do you have for building your network?  How do you define your network?  How do you use social media and what myths have you found?  Leave your comments below.

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