How to Lasso Top Quality Contacts on the Wild, Wild Web by Gina Bell

Recently I have ramped up my online networking efforts thru Facebook, Linked In and I even started a Blog. Are you on Facebook yet?

It’s been very exciting and I’m getting really good at making meaningful connections thru various online mediums. What I like best is that I get to be very discriminating about who I network with AND, it can be a lot of fun too!!

From a business perspective, I have identified simple things you can do to make more successful connections online. You can use them as a benchmark to strategically grow your own networks:

Just Ask ~ Sounds simple enough but you’d be surprised at how many people are afraid to put themselves out there in this way. The key to remember here is that the professionals who are online that you want to meet have a presence online to… you guessed it… meet people.

Be Purposeful ~ Before attempting to connect with others online take some time to investigate “why” you want to connect with this person. How can you help them? Why would they want to know you? i.e. “We share a similar target market and I’d love to expose my network to your message. I’d be honoured to connect with you.”

Bigger isn’t always Better ~ my focus is on quality not quantity i.e. meaningful connections with like-minded people. Personally, I would rather have a database filled with 500 high quality connections vs. 2000 random/poor quality ones. It’s just another way that I prioritize my time too! Some of the criteria I base an introduction or friend request upon is whether or not I see the potential of being mutually beneficial resources and or, we have established some kind of commonality – a mutual contact, expertise in the same industry (no, they aren’t necessarily my competition).

Protect your brand ~ A lot of online networks are also very fun and social. It’s easy to get carried away so remember to protect your brand. You may be able to lighten up a bit thru your blog or on your Facebook profile but, make sure it remains aligned with your business values too.

If you’re putting on a face in business or life it will catch up with you and people can spot insincerity a mile away. It’s just not worth it.

Network with a Giving Attitude ~ I believe that a giving attitude will dramatically impact your success – it’s ecological too in that it’s good for everyone involved in the process. The more we’re able to give to others and help them in business the more we open ourselves up to receiving in return.

Stay Visible ~ Success begins with a single step… I personally take five as per the “rule of 5” recommended by Jack Canfield co-Author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. Here’s what to do: Block off 5 minutes in your calendar each day and implement five specific activities minimum during that time. In terms of Facebook, you can update your status; send friend requests; post a hello or thank you on a new friend’s “wall”; post a comment on a friend’s blog post, note or photo; upload a video, etc… Be creative and get noticed in a memorable way.

I sure hope these ideas help you to make more high quality contacts online and remember to look me up on Facebook

Are you’re ready to turn your business around? Gain instant access to additional FREE tips and advice at The Networking Masters” where Gina is giving away – for FREE – her newest audio CD called “Self-Marketing Demystified”. Get ready to bust common personal marketing myths that may be holding you back from the results you want and the success you deserve!