In today’s high tech world, networking occurs as much on computers as in “real life” social situations. Social media has opened up a vast new frontier for people to connect with others. Before the advent of social media, people generally networked at social gatherings like mixers, fundraising galas and similar events. Of course, such “face-to-face” networking is still important and common, but social media allows possibilities that did not exist before. One of the problems with older networking models is that often the same people showed up at all the events.
The percentage of the population that is active in community events tends to be rather low. On the other hand, almost everyone these days uses social media.
Vast reach of social networking
According to the latest stats, Facebook alone has more than 900 million active users worldwide with the number continuing to grow. Twitter and Google+ also have large numbers of active users that cross all demographic categories.
The reach of social media allows you to build relationships with people who never show up at traditional networking events.
However, the general principles involved in social networking are the same as those when meeting people in person.
The goal is not only to build a relationship with the people you meet, but also to branch out to people they know.
24/7 networking
Another difference of social networking is that it goes on at all times of the day throughout the week. On sites like Facebook and Twitter, it is possible to communicate with all your online community members simultaneously.
Traditional networking never offered this capability unless you were willing to send out expensive mailers or other types of paid communication.
The Influence of Social Media
On Facebook and Twitter, when you post a status update or tweet, everyone in your community can see it depending on your privacy settings.
Active social networkers may post multiple updates or even dozens of postings every day. Each of these postings may attract comments or long discussions from other users on the social media platform.
Due to the widespread and growing use of mobile devices like the iPhone, Android smart phones and iPad, people can now access the Internet more than ever before.
The growth of 3G and 4G mobile broadband networks, and of Wi-Fi hotspots is also making online access available from an increasing number of locations.
People are using mobile devices and mobile Internet access to check on their social media sites while commuting, taking breaks at work and while engaged in practically any activity. Many users will post photos snapped with their phone of their meals at restaurants or of the movie theater they are about to enter.
Because people engage so much in “checking in” to their social sites, the opportunities for engaging with others in your network far exceeds what was possible before the Internet.
Real estate agents, for example, can check in using location-based services to their open house so that everyone in their online communities can see the event happening live. If they happen to be available, they can drive over to the open house using maps and driving directions available on the location-based service.
Networking basics still the same
Although technology has greatly increased the reach and the frequency of networking, the basic principles for success have not changed.
On Internet networks, the idea is still to reach out to friends of your friends. According to research studies, everyone in the world links to everyone else by only six degrees of network separation. On sites like Facebook, you can even map out who connects to whom because you can often see everyone in your friends’ networks.
While social media sites discourage friending people that you do not know, they do allow interaction with strangers. For example, depending on privacy settings, you may be able to engage in discussions with friends of your friends on Facebook.
All-in-one Computers can Make you All Sorts of Friends
After a number of such discussions, you will eventually get to “know” that person and, thus, you can legitimately request that they friend you on Facebook.
As with networking out in the “real world,” the idea behind social networking is to become someone of value to others in your online community. The main way to accomplish this is to post content regularly that others will find interesting, useful, entertaining and engaging.
Once your friends begin to value your content, they will come to depend on you as a source of news and information. Your ability to influence them will grow and you will also be able to entice them to take actions like visiting your personal website or blog.
Interaction is also important for social networking. Simply posting content without engaging your friends, fans or other online community members is not sufficient. You must “press the flesh” so to speak, but through online exchange.
Author Bio:
David Borg works with Dell. When he isn't experimenting with the readers of his all-in-one computer he enjoys spending time with his family. If you're looking to get more into technology, click here to see the latest in gadgets and technology.
This is a guest post by David Borg about the major concepts of social networking in today's world. To know more about guest post rules in this blog please follow the link below.
Write Guest Posts for us
The percentage of the population that is active in community events tends to be rather low. On the other hand, almost everyone these days uses social media.
Vast reach of social networking
According to the latest stats, Facebook alone has more than 900 million active users worldwide with the number continuing to grow. Twitter and Google+ also have large numbers of active users that cross all demographic categories.
The reach of social media allows you to build relationships with people who never show up at traditional networking events.
However, the general principles involved in social networking are the same as those when meeting people in person.
The goal is not only to build a relationship with the people you meet, but also to branch out to people they know.
24/7 networking
Another difference of social networking is that it goes on at all times of the day throughout the week. On sites like Facebook and Twitter, it is possible to communicate with all your online community members simultaneously.
Traditional networking never offered this capability unless you were willing to send out expensive mailers or other types of paid communication.
The Influence of Social Media
On Facebook and Twitter, when you post a status update or tweet, everyone in your community can see it depending on your privacy settings.
Active social networkers may post multiple updates or even dozens of postings every day. Each of these postings may attract comments or long discussions from other users on the social media platform.
Due to the widespread and growing use of mobile devices like the iPhone, Android smart phones and iPad, people can now access the Internet more than ever before.
The growth of 3G and 4G mobile broadband networks, and of Wi-Fi hotspots is also making online access available from an increasing number of locations.
People are using mobile devices and mobile Internet access to check on their social media sites while commuting, taking breaks at work and while engaged in practically any activity. Many users will post photos snapped with their phone of their meals at restaurants or of the movie theater they are about to enter.
Because people engage so much in “checking in” to their social sites, the opportunities for engaging with others in your network far exceeds what was possible before the Internet.
Real estate agents, for example, can check in using location-based services to their open house so that everyone in their online communities can see the event happening live. If they happen to be available, they can drive over to the open house using maps and driving directions available on the location-based service.
Networking basics still the same
Although technology has greatly increased the reach and the frequency of networking, the basic principles for success have not changed.
On Internet networks, the idea is still to reach out to friends of your friends. According to research studies, everyone in the world links to everyone else by only six degrees of network separation. On sites like Facebook, you can even map out who connects to whom because you can often see everyone in your friends’ networks.
While social media sites discourage friending people that you do not know, they do allow interaction with strangers. For example, depending on privacy settings, you may be able to engage in discussions with friends of your friends on Facebook.
All-in-one Computers can Make you All Sorts of Friends
After a number of such discussions, you will eventually get to “know” that person and, thus, you can legitimately request that they friend you on Facebook.
As with networking out in the “real world,” the idea behind social networking is to become someone of value to others in your online community. The main way to accomplish this is to post content regularly that others will find interesting, useful, entertaining and engaging.
Once your friends begin to value your content, they will come to depend on you as a source of news and information. Your ability to influence them will grow and you will also be able to entice them to take actions like visiting your personal website or blog.
Interaction is also important for social networking. Simply posting content without engaging your friends, fans or other online community members is not sufficient. You must “press the flesh” so to speak, but through online exchange.
Author Bio:
David Borg works with Dell. When he isn't experimenting with the readers of his all-in-one computer he enjoys spending time with his family. If you're looking to get more into technology, click here to see the latest in gadgets and technology.
This is a guest post by David Borg about the major concepts of social networking in today's world. To know more about guest post rules in this blog please follow the link below.
Write Guest Posts for us
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