online networking sites

[nicu101]

If you have not, check out ecademy Based on your preferences, you might find the combinations of blog, forum and marketplace helpful. Your niche offering is global is scope and this might give you some exposure - keep in mind you might be too niche for ecademy (and linked in for that matter) so could take longer...
Where else are you networking for your niche?

We're working several different angles. We find LinkedIn to be a great resource in more general fields like marketing, making contacts with purchasers for major retailers, etc. For finding people in our niche, there are a few mom oriented networking sites (i.e. mommybuzz.com) where I've done some blogging and promotion of local events. I find parenting a sick child turns many parents into activists, and they are passionate promoters of things they like.

I've even found some valuable contacts via MySpace (gasp). For instance, that is where I connected with the founder of the Rocky Mountain Preemie Foundation. Medical school contacts have been valuable as well, so I try to keep those individuals informed of my non-school ventures via email.

-Kristie

[jbliler]

I disagree... I have been personally frustrated with in-person networking because it does not go fast enough and does not produce as many results as online networking does. Think of it this way...In a typical networking event there are 100-200 people, how many of them do you get to talk to? More importantly, how many are valid contacts in your field?

The online networking sites allows you to seach for the type of connection you would like to establish, and go from there. Typically I have an introduction phone call with certain contacts that works out very well and then eventually meet with them in person - i believe it is a great way to network!

[jasonalba]

Hey guys, late to the conversation but good info anyway. I have accounts with various social networking sites and have played around - they are tools. None are the silver bullet. There are great ways to use the tools though - some swear by LinkedIn.

Whatever networking methods you incorporate, I'd suggest a personal relationship management tool to help you keep your relationships organized. This is something that YOU manage, privately. It could be ACT!, Goldmine or my site designed specifically for career management (not necessarily sales): JibberJobber.com.

I designed JibberJobber in my own transition, realizing the value of the relationships I was creating during a job search. There is a free version where you can have 250 - 325 contacts - I encourage you to check it out and let it complement all of the social network sites as well as help you manage contacts from offline (gasp) face-to-face networking meetings.

For small businesses, I use JibberJobber for my marketing - after all, isn't it all about relationships? Feel free to get a free account and let me know what you think.

[AlexRoderick]

I fully agree with you.
web designing company
Thanks

[MarkCrowley]

Online networkers CAN speak and get to know the members. Most users start with contacts they know and use the tool to generate more contact and specific needs. When new contacts connect over a job opportunity or business deal, or re-connecting - they tend to talk and meet. I personally have been found to discuss my business offering, request to speak and I found candidates for executive searches using LinkedIn.

If I had to guess, my contacts on LinkedIn are 60/40, men. Close, I would guess to the break-up in my executive contacts in Outlook. In my exerience networking in person and online, I would generally agree with the charactoristics mentioned; I wonder how many women list the number of connections in their profile. But I would recommend that women everywhere take advantage of the opportunty to be found and find others needed for the initial contact and, then, meet!

Sometime ago, I read in the Denver Business Journal (one of my top networking resources) about a company out of the northwest planning to open a branch in Denver. It was a retail establishment with a demographic that fit the radio station at which I was selling advertising. Instead of doing the "gatekeeper dance" trying to get to a person whose name I didn't know, I logged onto LinkedIn. I put in the company name and city and found the name of the Marketing VP separated from me by one person - who I know very well and who knows the Marketing VP very well. I got the warm intro, we had great conversations, they came to Denver, I put them on the air, I got a nice commission, I'm in regular contact with her. Because of my connection to her through LinkedIn and the relationship that followed, I am the only "local rep" she allows to contact her without first going through their agency. We've never met face to face and only 3 times have spoken by phone.
You don't have to have 10,000 contacts in LinkedIn - you don't even need 100. You just need to recognize it as a tool to build whatever it is you're building and pull it out of the box and use it.
This very savvy business executive woman recognized its power, wanted to be found, and it worked - for both of us.

[Michel Cometto]

I have started a free online club allowing international networking for those interested, it's not my primary activity just a "goodie" my primary activity is business development at interantional level to protect hulls and industrial pipes against organic coverings ( new patented process brought to the us this summer)

[David Sandusky]

Welcome Michel! I will check out your business...thanks for sharing. Based on your background and expertise, you may find the Due Diligence forum interesting. Love to hear more from you!

[Carlos]

So, I was checking for jobs recently, and I stumbled across Jobster, and I was taken aback by their bold stance with others by providing a deep networking tool - similar to LinkedIn.

I'm trying to figure out which tags to use!

[David Sandusky]

Thanks for sharing Carlos. let us know your experience. You may find Jibber Jobber helpful in managing your search and career.

[akingsley]

"or baby boomer women, this is less attractive, and for many women in general, online networking doesn't work as well because women really value the in person connection. To wit: when males talk, they can sit side by side and only occasionally look at one another. Women will move their chairs or sit uncomfortably to allow themselves to face each other directly-- in order to study the up to 250,000 facial expressions the human face is capable of making. Online doesn't give you that; only in person. I will grant you some generational differences but for the most part women want to see their networking partners. They aren't the ones typically bragging about 10,000 Linked In members in their network, about whom they know very little. In fact, most of the women I speak to say they will not participate in Linked In precisely because they cannot speak to and get to know the members. It's something to keep in mind. "

I must say, most of the networking I do is online and have met some wonderful contacts. Don't get me wrong, human contact is nice - but in the time and space we find ourselves in, women, just as men, are just as likely if not more to connect online. I find myself looking for "virtual" networking opportunities every day to enhance business and help enhance others bottom line. I like the idea of no barriers - open forum and the sharing of ideas.

If you are in Denver check out: Insidetrackdenver : INSIDE TRACK DENVER I started this so I could network virtually.