Your Roledex is Not Your Network – The World Is

I have been collecting names, phone numbers and email address for over a decade.  I have USED these contacts in the past as a way to accomplish my goals.  That is why you build a network like this.  If someone may have the possibility to help me somewhere in the future I made sure I have kept that person’s contact information.  I have also left cards at networking events sitting on center table too.  I was selfish.

Take with out giving.  Unless you consider I have always been a good customer too.  Most of these contacts that I harvested were able to provide me with a service or product that I also paid for.  I did not ask for favors per se’ but  I would consume their products and services.

Face it though that is what we were taught 20 years ago.  Build your list use it when needed and return the favor if you were ever called on.  Business is business and that is how it was done!!

The paradigm shifted before I did, thank God I got it before it was to late.  I have been marketing products online since the late 90’s, back when it was ok to spam usenet and IRC channels.  Made a lot of money doing it.  I have marketed products in the Make Money Online Niche as well, where there are more pitchers than catchers.  I am damn good at getting people to follow my lead without ever creating anything, selling other peoples stuff.

Now I look at what I do today and realize that the old way of networking was wrong and I am lucky I am not a pariah in many circles.  I still maintain these old contacts even though my path has changed.  Now people seek out my opinions and insight on a variety of subjects, mostly networking!

Here are some simple tips on how to maximize online networking:

• Build your network before you need it.  Make contacts and offer value in your association without asking for anything in return.
• Became a giver in online public settings.  Offering, advice and opinion without it being solicited.  Do so tastefully and diplomatically.
• If your opinion disagrees with the status quo be able to give the why, making sure to add value to the conversation.
• Do it often!!  Don’t be a passive contact.  Stay in touch and keep adding to and growing the conversation.  Usually the small minority will influence the powerful majority.

If you will follow these four simple steps opportunities that you never thought existed will open up to you in such a way that it can become overwhelming!!