March '09 IMPACT

Refer and Connect

It's the Age of Social Media.

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn allow us to connect to anyone with just the click of our mouse. This means it's even easier to connect to the people in your network then it's ever been before. And you can expand your network as fast or slow as you like. Of course, it also means that you don't have the same kind of relationship with everyone in your network. But, that's okay. We should have different levels of contacts and different types of networks.

Those of you connected to me only through this newsletter are in my network, but I may not have your contact information handy to refer to you.

Twitter is a tool to keep in touch with what people are doing today and to check in with experts. What you may not realize is 70% of people on Twitter are using it for business. I just started. I'll be offering quickie networking tips on a regular basis. It also allows me to be available to answer brief questions quickly and easily. So send me your questions by email or Twitter and I'll answer them for everyone who's following me to see.

Follow me on Twitter.

If you're a facebook friend, there's an expectation that we will tell each other about what's happening in our lives, including our businesses. This adds to our level of connection to each other each time we share. Facebook can be a very useful business tool, but we want to make sure we are not coming across as selling. We can ask for an introduction of someone else's friend if we have a good reason. (A good reason is not that you want to sell them something.)

Become my Friend on facebook.

If you're a LinkedIn contact, I know that you're connected to me for business purposes. We expect to share contacts and referrals and introduce each other when requested. It has also become a very powerful tool for people in transition. People search for introductions into specific companies, which proves that networking is the best way to get a new job. It's important to be prompt when replying to requests you receive on LinkedIn.

Connect to me on Linkedin.

If you're in my Outlook Contact list, then you're very easy to refer to. And I often refer the people in my network to potential partners and potential clients.

If you're in one of my regular networking groups, then we've had at least one 1-on-1 and we both know exactly who the other wants to meet.

Be deliberate about your networking. Pay attention to who is well-connected and connect to them. Say, "Yes" to connection requests. Give referrals gladly, copiously, and graciously.

That's the bottom line. When we give, we will receive.

Happy Networking,

Jeff

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