eNetworking Whats it all about

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e-Networking Whats it all about?

• Empowering Entrepreneurs Speaker Series
• Dennis Masella and Kathy Emond
• March 13, 2008

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By the Numbers

• Active Internet Universe 1.32 billion
• North American users 238.0 million (69.7 of
  population)
• Source internetworldstats.com December 2007

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Why are YOU here?
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Why E-networking?

• Reduce the fear of networking.
• Connect with anyone who is connected to the
  Internet.
• Drive people to your website.
• Increase your standing on search engines.
• Inexpensive.
• Fast.

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Networking Numbers

• Chamber Event
• Met 4 new people
• Talked with 6 people I know well
• Introduced new member to 6 people
• Linked In numbers
• Directly connected to me 86
• 2 degrees away 42,100
• 3 degrees away 3,092,400

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Turn Strangers into FriendsTurn Friends into
CustomersAnd thenDo the most important
jobTurn your Customers into Salespeople
Flipping the FunnelSeth Godin
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Background

• I believe in networking.
• I am an always improving networker.
• I dont cold call.
• I never want to do cold calling.
• E-Networking, Social Networking, is a new
  concept.
• I didnt know how to put it to use.
• 2007 Goal figure it out.

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My Plan

• Expand my network.
• Find site(s) that is/are easy to use.
• Find ways to touch contacts.
• Learn this new way of marketing.

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What I Did in 2007

• I signed up at certain websites.
• I asked people how they used these sites.
• I attended webinars.
• I read articles, blogs, and eBooks.
• I invited people to network with me.
• I said yes when anyone invited me.
• I was asked to share what I learned.
• Here I am

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The Search

• LinkedIn
• Plaxo
• Xing
• Shelfari
• MerchantCircle
• Konnects
• Space.businessballs
• Spock
• Fordham Alumni

• Digg
• MySpace
• FaceBook
• Ecademy
• Ryze
• Squidoo
• Blue chip
• Adlandpro
• zoominfo

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Are There Others?

• YES!
• Google social media Orkut
• Your industry may have an e-networking group
  (giftbasketmessageboard.com)
• Your school may have e-Networking
• Same Interest groups (golf online)
• Start your own Ning.com

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Why Did I Sign Up With

• LinkedIn
• I actually signed up years ago but did nothing
• A colleague said I should
• It seemed to be the one to join
• 17 million others agree
• Easy to learn about

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Lessons Learned

• From Mike ONeils LinkedIn 101
  http//www.integratedalliances.com/Public/Training
  /Webinars/index.cfm
• Use your email as part of your name
• Fill out the entire profile
• Invite everyone you know
• Personalize the invitation and thank you
• Save the words in a file and copy and paste

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Lessons Learned

• From Rita Wilhelm
• Dollars and Sense on Online Communities
• Background on many sites and interviews with
  people who are familiar with them
• you need to be where your target audience is
  spending their time, so that they find you!
• NUDE Model of Referrals
• Novelty, utility, dependability, economy

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Lessons Learned

• From Jason Alba
• Im on LinkedIn Now What??
• Connect with Super Connectors (LIONS) for
  visibility
• Check my connections connections and ask for an
  introduction
• Get recommendations/Write recommendations

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Lessons Learned

• From articles and blogs
• Being on these social media sites is like putting
  an ad on every street corner
• You are on step one of the Sales Process when you
  begin to connect
• People on social media have higher income and
  spend more money
• We really need to get videos posted
• Remember to share your best stuff, become a
  trusted advisor
• You need to go where the fish are biting.

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How I Have Used LinkedIn

• Asked questions
• Answered questions
• Invited connections to sign up for our newsletter
• Searched for people and/or companies
• Set up group for ABWA members
• Answered EVERY invitation
• Invite your connections connections

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How I Have Used LinkedIn

• When a connections profile changes, you are
  notified sent a congratulations or other comment
• Before the webinar, I had about 30 connections
  now I have 138
• I have been viewed by many people
• You can answer What are you working on?

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Other Uses

• Jobs are posted
• HR people search LinkedIn for employees
• Relationship-building and personal branding

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Why Did I Sign Up With

• Plaxo
• Received an invitation from someone I trusted
• Reminds me about birthdays

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Why Did I Sign Up With

• Merchant Circle
• Recommended
• Opportunity to start a blog
• Possible local connections

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Why Did I Sign Up With

• Xing
• zoominfo
• Shelfari
• Konnects
• Space.businessballs
• Spock
• Fordham Alumni

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Beyond Signing Up

• Spend about an hour each week on LinkedIn
• Spend about 15 minutes a week on Plaxo
• Spend about 15 minutes on other sites

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Dos

• Be careful with controversy
• ALWAYS include a link to your site
• ALWAYS include a message that Im new to ___,
  and Im interested in ___.
• When you comment on someones blog, or sign
  someones guest book, include a link to your
  site.

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Donts

• Don't jump in with both feet and begin posting
  content.
• Dont give up.
• Dont bombard people with messages.

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Questions Ive Been Asked

• Is it SAFE?
• How many sites should I join?
• What questions do you have?

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Lessons YOUve Learned? Sites YOUve found and
liked/disliked? Questions? Comments?
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Kathy Emond http//www.StrategicDirectionsLLC.com
603-880-8191 Dennis Masella http//www.wsi-intern
etadvisors.com 603-465-6573 Coming on April
10th Scott Flegal http//www.flegal.com Fighting
Fair 10 Tips for Mastering the Art of Business
Conflict Empowering Entrepreneurs Speaker
Series http//www.NHbizspeakers.com