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Business Networking

  
  

Online Communities are a breeding ground for new business relationships! Not only to find & meet potential clients or
customers... but also peers, partners and mentors!

By networking online, we are able to build relationships all over the world and also to position ourselves to turn a small home based business into a successful international business. We can do this at any time of the day or night, any day of the week - at our own convenience and on our own schedule. Regardless of those variables, positive results are practically *guaranteed*. (Try visiting your local Chamber of Commerce at 3am on a sleepless Thursday night - its quite lonely!)

In everything that you do, everywhere that you go and everyone that you meet - - consider the magic key to turn it into a mutually beneficial and rewarding situation for all involved.

 
Tips for Online Business Networking:

  • Listen. Get to know people by reading their messages, visiting their websites and/or speaking with them personally via email or telephone.
     
  • Introduce yourself and express your interest or your thoughts to them (as it relates to *them*). Make sure your correspondence is personalized - and not a "form letter" or "mass mailing".
     
  • Consider ways that you can express your personality and your 'brand' electronically: through a compelling signature, eye-catching logo, your photo... and even with the 'tone' of your text.
     
  • Use your real name (not a screen name or alias), and a photo whenever possible. Offer your telephone number in the case that they would like to follow-up with you.

 
In addition, take every opportunity to meet your core group of advocates, your clients and your peers in person. Consider Seminars, Conferences and Workshops in your industry - - and make it a point to attend at least one event per year. Solidifying 'virtual' relationships with eye contact and a handshake can make a world of difference - - both to that particular relationship, and to the many new ones that will be made available as a result of positive recommendations.
 

Your Competitors

Working WITH your "competitors" will actually allow you to position yourself in your industry much quicker than working against them. I prefer to consider them "peers" rather than "competitors". Using the term "peers" will open your mind to see similar business owners in a whole new light ;)

While I am a huge advocate for market research, and competition analysis, I do not believe you should waste one second of your energy *worrying* about your "competition". Once you choose a business model, based on thorough research, and begin to implement your business plan, focus ALL of your energy on becoming successful - period.

I encourage you to get to know the people in your industry - with an open mind. Make friends, build relationships, and explore ways that you might work together for mutual benefit.

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this online is to join topic-specific discussion forums. This will give you an opportunity to both learn and share information, and to get to know the leaders in your industry.

 
Obviously I would not share all of my guarded secrets with my #1 competitor in the Web Design field. But I *would* position myself with others in my industry, such as: SEO Experts, Programmers, Copywriters, etc. While each of them also has the ability and the talent to design a website, it is not their main focus - or their niche.

Likewise, if you are in the Gift Basket industry, you would not necessarily swap recommendations with someone who designs similar products. However, others in the 'gift' business, such as: Wine Merchants, Candy Makers and Gift Card Designers have much to offer you, and vice versa! Imagine how this might work for you in *your* industry.

  
Consider the ways that you can position yourself among your peers for mutual benefit. The relationships that you build, and the friends that you make, will strengthen your business foundation and secure you for long-term SUCCESS.
  

Looking for a place to start? Visit these personally recommended Online Communities ... and start Networking today!