Networking and building relationships with others, whether you work for a company or run your own business, is pretty darn important for long-term success. A viable business is built on relationships. Career growth and longevity is too.
However, when you are living with in a fluctuating state of health, it’s not always possible to get out there and meet and greet people on a regular basis. You may really only be able to go to work, or serve your current customers, and then home to rest. As we can now do business more readily from home due to lower phone rates and technology, we can now create and build relationships on-line.
All you need is a computer and Internet access.
Social Networking has become a very hot marketing opportunity for self-employed professionals. Last week I interviewed Jonathan Good, an expert in “Social Networking,” for another of my on-line projects, Beyond Billable Hours. He talked about how to use LinkedIn and Facebook to create relationships to build a business.
Prior to hearing Jonathan, I was not convinced that on-line networking could really take the place of face-to-face networking. Jonathan says they work best together, and I would agree. However, I’m now convinced Social Networks can be a viable alternative for building relationships and credibility if you put some thought into using them - and you don’t even have to leave home.
How to get started: choose just one on these social networking sites and build your profile. Decide what you want to accomplish (every good strategy begins with a plan.) Then, invite people from your own network who you think are others might like to know too. According to Jonathan, all you need is 1 or 2 hours a week to get a lot done with on-line networking.
Note: Even if you work for an employer, you can use these tools to your advantage. Of course, you have to be mindful that you don’t give away trade secrets or behave in ways that raise a few eyebrows, but you can certainly build your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, and participate in special interest groups and answer questions.
10 years ago our illnesses would have made networking much more difficult. Now we have choices. How have you used Social Networking tools to stay in touch, and get business or a job?
Joan
Hi - Joan is so right about this. Everyone is talking about social networking. I’m on both Facebook and LinkedIn (Friend me, ok?) and I’m planning to develop a group there. This is a terrific way for people with chronic illness to network with others about jobs - both learning what’s available , what’s good and making relationships that lead to jobs. So, go for it! And find us there! Rosalind
Anyone have any tips for keeping the momentum going with social networking online? I have a complete profile on LinkedIn, and hundreds of contacts, but anyone have any suggestions for how to engage others in this forum?
Jennifer, are you using the Answers feature on LinkedIn? You can post questions and reply to others’ questions, which helps to gather momentum.
I didn’t know about the Answers feature on LinkedIn. I’m going to check it out. I”d like to get a community going eventually talking about chronic illness, working and all the other issues. It all takes a lot of time, I find - I’m just getting into my Facebook profile after months being there!