Part 4 of 4: Time and Tracking Another common question from web networkers is “How do I know where I or my business are showing up on the web, and when something good or bad is being said about us?” The no-cost answer is to install the simple feature of Google Alerts. For more comprehensive reports there are paid services like Andy Beal’s reputation monitor called Trackur.

If you’re reading this and calculating the amount of time it might take to manage a number of on-line networking profiles, blogs and groups, consider the power and value of three little letters that you may have overlooked on many web pages– RSS– which stands for Real Simple Syndication. RSS has origins in the concept of big news agencies “syndicating” their information so others could pull it and use it. RSS gives all users the power of producing news or changing information that others can pull in, just like they would a national on-line newspaper. When you see RSS on the screen, it means that with something called a blog reader or a news aggregator you get to select the information that you want to keep up with, such as national news or news from your local social media site, and business networking sites like Linkedin, all in one location. With this method you are able at a quick glance to keep up with current news, new blog postings, or new connections your business allies are making on Linkedin at a quick glance. Then, if you want more details, you can “pull” more information as needed from your blog reader. Instead of being buried in email updates from sites, mixed in with news letters that you no longer follow, you can choose what you track and the degree you wish to follow it by only getting what’s new or changed.

You may think, how can I afford the time to use Social Media? If you realize that for many businesses this is where your current and future customers are, you can not afford to not spend time with it. Pick something and start small. You may choose to begin with Linkedin, on of the Inside Area Code sites (like inSide919.com),  Facebook, or Twitter.  Set aside a little time each day or week to “relate on-line”.

The new social media gives businesses the opportunity to be closer to their customers than ever before. Business networking brings us the ability to build alliances both locally and globally. The key is to not forget the value of the in-person connections which complement and enhance on-line relationships. Quality relationships still take time to develop—on and off the web.

Reprinted from Women’s Edge Magazine
by Martin Brossman - www.ProNetworkingOnLine.com
& check out Understanding Linkedin

See Part1, Part2 or Part3 of Professional Networking On (& Off)  the Web

Professional Networking On (& Off) the Web – Part 2 of 4:
Your E-Comfort Zone

One online network has been launched by Triangle resident Pat Howlett, It groups local networkers by telephone area codes. Triangle residents are included in www.inside919.com, a user-friendly way to enter on-line networking if you are just beginning. It is also a great resource for all types of information from local businesses in the 919 area code. You can fill out your profile, join in the forums. and practice online networking skills with the local business community. Howlett has a vision of supporting the web activity with solid face-to-face interaction, having already hosted two social evens for Triangle 919 members.

One woman who attended the first Inside919 after-hours said she was amazed that people she had connected with on-line were seeking her out to find out more about her business. Another person at the same event was hesitant to meet people since he is “more at ease relating at the keyboard.” Although some people tend to be more comfortable in-person and others on-line, it is worth the effort to push your comfort zone boundaries since the combination of personal and computer-based connections can bring powerful results.

Understanding the unique utilities of in-person and online networking and how they apply to your objectives gives a real competitive advantage. Just as with in-person networking, when networking online lead with contribution, not with selling.

If you are not in the 919 area code, you can find your area code group at:
http://www.insideareacodes.com/

Reprinted from Women’s Edge Magazine
by Martin Brossman - www.ProNetworkingOnLine.com

If you are a business in the 919 area code, you may wonder where on-line to network. Of course linkedin.com is worth having a profile on, but I want to talk about a new one– http://www.inside919.com/ (they also have ones for all US area codes — http://www.insideareacodes.com/ — but you need to really work or live in the title-designated area code ).

It is free to join, allows you to form local discussion groups like “Triangle Business Blogger” or “Podcasting.” It lets you list calendar events, have a blog so you can contribute useful articles, have a profile stating your business and it offers an RSS feed so you can keep up with it in your Blog Reader. By requiring you to live or work in the 919 area code and asking that people make at least one contribution a month, it keeps it smaller then the big guys offering a local connection. It was started by Pat Howlett who moved from a small town to the RTP NC area and wanted to create a small town business networking feel on-line.

My networking advice for using Inside919 is to take a little time to join it, fill out the basic profile, maybe join a few groups that are of interest and connect to some people you know. Next just check in once a week or even once a month based on your time demands and the importance of a web presence. When you check in, look for ways to help others or contribute to a conversation that is occurring in a Forum or group. If you use a blog reader then add the RSS feed to that so you can keep track of it.

I do recommend a picture and if you don’t have one you like, pay a photographer for one good one. The good photographers can offer Photoshop touch ups if that makes you more comfortable. You can find one in InSide919.com as well.

Next share the site with good local businesses you know to help them connect to others.

I like this group since Pat is a local person who truly wants to help the local business professionals and make it easy to participate. To me this can be one of the important pieces of your on-line presence and marketing plan.

Pat Howlett also is creating groups for other area codes and here is a website to find all the groups: http://www.insideareacodes.com/

If you join http://www.inside919.com/ , look me up and say hello!

By Martin Brossman – www.coachingsupport.com – Martin@CoachingSupport.com (919) 847-4757 – Podcast: www.InquireOnline.info