Networking in the digital age

Kelly Hoey - who has amassed over 560,000 followers on linked-in has written a brilliant article on the importance of networking and how to network effectively. 

As you know - networking for me is one of the four pillars to success.

Yet a lot of people feel anxious or lost when it comes to networking, especially when engaging in conversations online. If you’re one of those people, take comfort in knowing you’re not alone, say Kelly.

Kelly share with us effective strategies that are needed to overcome those anxieties so you can connect powerfully with your network - and build know like and trust!

Her golden rule when it comes to networking in the digital age is simple: 

Be yourself 

be yourself (that is, be human) regardless of where you meet someone, because networking online is no different than networking offline. Now more than ever we’re craving stronger human connections. 

The good news is that today, we have more tools to connect meaningfully with others than at any time in history. Social networks, messaging apps, co-working spaces,  meetups and BBG forums and BNI chapters  are just a few examples.

When it comes to allowing the real you to shine online, here are her three suggestions:

1. Communicate appropriately depending on the function 

Think of online platforms as you would physical ‘offline’ spaces - For Kelly , online networking platforms are simply an extension of physical spaces. 

LinkedIn is the office or industry conference. Facebook is the high school reunion or family gathering. 

Twitter is the cocktail party. 

While you may share the same information in all of these networking spaces, you wouldn’t necessarily share it in the same way (i.e. how you share a big promotion at work with your family is unlikely to be the way you tell your closest friends or colleagues).

2. Focus on building deep relationships 

Build your online network by focusing on people you already know, like and trust  - 

Networking is a time-wasting anxiety when you only seek to meet strangers. 

Spend more time connecting with your tribe, the people who already know you and know what you are capable of delivering – friends, customers and colleagues.

BBG is a brilliant forum to help you build those deep relationships with like minded people who will focus on helping you through collaboration , learning and growth 

3. Digital technology is just a tool 

Networking and building know like and trust takes time, energy and care.

Focus on who you want to meet and identify ways in which you can add value to them.

“Give people what they want and you will get what you want”

It took Kerry seven years of online conversations for her to meet best-selling author Tom Peters (using her  ‘be the good guest at the cocktail party’ approach on Twitter *). Today, Tom is a mentor and friend and f hers 

Marketing in the digital age

Another huge obstacle that may be holding you and your business back is the anxiety when it comes to promoting or marketing yourself online.

If you think an online marketing strategy is about pushing a product or only talking about yourself – then you should be uncomfortable. 

When you are networking or promoting your product remind myself to be the person other people want to talk to.

Because here’s the thing: effectively connecting with others on social platforms is not about one-way marketing; it’s all about two-way interaction. 

It’s a conversation, a dialogue. It’s sharing information and ideas. It’s being of service. 

It is not the digital equivalent of walking into a crowded room of people shouting “FRIENDS, I HAVE A 50 PERCENT OFF SALE YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!” without saying hello.

Effective online marketing is about creating multiple touchpoints to stay top-of-mind. 

Here’s are 3 strategies that Kerry suggests we action  to stay top of mind 

1. Start posting updates to your personal account on LinkedIn 

A good rule to follow before posting: ask yourself if the information you’re sharing will help someone else with their career or business. She has  been doing this consistently once a day, first thing in the morning. Her network tells her that  she is the first update they see every day - and She has amassed over 560,000 followers on LinkedIn.

2. Market yourself by marketing others 

One way to do this is by enlisting a group of close friends to promote each other regularly by sharing content online (whether by forwarding the insights to your friends via e-mail or Facebook updates or posting a tweet or RT). Send a weekly email to the group asking them “what do you need promoted online this week?”.

3. Participate in Twitter chats and other online events 

A great example of this is the Cartier Awards Twitter chat on closing the gender gap in STEM. These types of online conversations will connect you to others who share your passion in a format that is based on contributing good ideas and solutions. Isn’t that what great marketing is really all about? 

* The good guest is the person who wants to be invited back, is helpful to the host and takes interest in the others invited to the party. Online, this translates to retweeting and liking (the digital nod or acknowledgment of another's contribution).

This article was inspired by an article  on the blog of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards. @Cartier Women's Initiative Awards are an international business competition created in 2006 to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs.