How to Network in the Information Age
Have you networked with individuals at a conference or some other event (e.g. Code Camp, User Group, etc.)?
If you have, were you able to follow up the people that you met?
The means of following up with a network contact have changed. You can start networking in the information age by using many of the tools that you probably already use today.
Constants
The process and purpose of networking has remained pretty much the same over time.
1. We attend venues for conferences, training or seminars.
2. We use our social skills to speak with and interact with others at these venues.
3. We hope we can use our new networking contact for a new job reference, professional reference or friendship.
What has changed in networking – is the way that we follow up with our contacts.
The Old Way (Dark Age Networking)
Before the information age how did people follow up with their networking contacts? Most likely, it was done by snail-mail, e-mail or telephone.
Let me put into perspective how effective these means of follow up are. Say you receive one business card for every business card that you hand out. Unless, you have either a unique business card or an unforgettable personality – people are going to have a difficult time remembering you based on your name.
I suppose you could but your picture on your business card, but that is something that is probably best left to real estate agents.
The New Way (Information Age Networking)
In the information age, you will still give out business cards, but the contents of those business cards will be “links” to your contact information. The information on your business card is a way for your contacts to remember who you are without having to make an impression based on personality.
Contact Information Tools
There are many tools that you can use for your contact information. I recommend at least these three:
1. LinkedIn
Posting a link to your LinkedIn profile is probably the best tool that you can provide to your networking contacts. Especially if you are looking for a new job or to validate your background. LinkedIn provides the following:
- Allows contacts to see your professional job history and projects
- Allows contacts to see any recommendations you’ve given or received
- Allows contacts to see a profile picture to put a face with a name
2. Facebook
Facebook can be used for the right reasons and the wrong reasons. If you currently use Facebook for the wrong reasons (e.g. posting drunk pictures, complaining about work, etc.) – I suggest that you don’t use Facebook as a networking tool.
However, Facebook can be used for the right reasons – to provide an insight into your personal life.
By sharing the following on Facebook, a networking contact may find out more about you on on a personal level:
- Interests
- Hobbies
- Events in your life
I would also suggest using Facebook’s privacy settings, in case someone else posts a picture or writes something inappropriate to you.
3. Twitter
Most new users of Twitter don’t see the value of it. What Twitter can provide is a way to share daily information with your followers both professionally and personally.
Nobody wants to follow someone who posts mundane posts that add little value (e.g. “Just woke up”, “Eating breakfast”, “Showering”). Instead, use Twitter as follows:
- Posting insights on life
- Posting links to interesting articles or web sites
- Conversing with others on a particular subject
All of these tools allow for continuous networking beyond the initial connection.
How to Get Started?
1. Create a profile on each one of these networks.
2. Create two sets of business cards
- Sales Business Card – These will be the typical business cards with name, email, and phone number
- Networking Business Card – This will only contain your name and links to your profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
3. Start attending events and networking!
* Picture courtesy of Joe Pemberton
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