online networking

Tips to help you stand out in the crowded world of online marketing

With Ad Tech around the corner, we want to help refresh your memory of the importance of networking and building connections with others. Specifically in the industry of online marketing and advertising where more individuals becoming consultants and self-employed workers, it is imperative for us to understand the power of professional networking.  It allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, but where most people fail is that they do not exchange contact information or never follow up with the individuals that they met.

Here are a few tips to make it easier.

If you have an iPhone, then download the free app called Bump. Bump allows you to share contact information with other iPhone users simply by bumping your phones together.  This makes it simple, even allowing you to include a picture of yourself making sure you don’t get lost in the stack of business cards collected over time. You can download this app by searching for Bump in iTunes. The Bump app is now available for the Android.

When sharing contact information with individuals, make sure to include the following:

Your name, email address, that you check most frequently, accessible phone number, instant messenger handles (AIM, Skype, ect.), a picture of yourself, social networking sites, your business website or product site, and a few words to summarize yourself just in case the person forgets- ex: guy from xyz forum.  Text messaging is becoming more acceptable, as it is easier for people to reach and respond to others. Just make sure if you feel fine text messaging that you identify yourself.

Although you are giving individuals a lot of information, it allows them to reach you in their most convenient way. You have to understand that at these types of events, you can meet some major players and genius underground marketers.  By gaining contacts in this industry, you can build friendships that can turn into joint ventures, business partners and even private masterminds.

If you don’t have an iPhone, that’s OK too. Take the traditional route such as a business card. With a traditional business card, try to include the information that was outlined above. Also, try to keep the back with minimal text and graphics. Having an almost plain side on your business card allows individuals to take notes.  If you receive a cad, write a note or special information they shared.  This will help you out when you get home.

If you have a Blackberry, you can easily share your information with people via email.  Before you attend the event, make sure to create a contact of yourself with all the information stated above.  Then when it comes time to share your information, just select “compose” and ask for the individuals email address. Then select “attach content” and choose the contact you created earlier.

Never be intimidated when it comes to exchanging information.  You will never get what you never ask for, the worst they can do is give an excuse to why they don’t have their business card, so give them yours, or even exchange email addresses. If you are attending a seminar that is multiple days, make sure to get acquainted with your neighbor, but change seats from day to day, same goes for breakfast and lunches. Once the seminar is over, find out what people are doing after. Are some attendees going to dinner? If so, try to join them and continue the conversations and learning more.

These small recommendations can help you get comfortable with networking.  Once you do it more often you will become confident, making it easier to find your own personal plan. But you have to understand that you will need to be patient, it will take months to start benefiting from any contacts you have made. But it is true that if you start things off by helping others, listening to others, making connections for others, then things will certainly start happening for you.

{ 0 comments }