There’s no shortage of ways to get networked, get involved and stay visible.  It used to be that we went to lots of live events and professional meetings to stay connected.    Now, social media has come along and changed the landscape.  There’s a vast network of people all over the world at our fingertips.   Social media is a beautiful thing because it has a viral effect – we can connect with the contacts of OUR contacts, and their contacts, and so on.  It can also suck up a lot of our time and energy.  We see so many people struggling to do it all - - live networking, social media activities, following-up.  Choosing from among all of these options can be daunting.  To be successful and get tangible results, a conscious strategy is a must.

First, consider is your target market.  Who are they?  Where do they hang out — online and offline?  By showing up in places where your ideal clients spend their time, you’ll learn more about their needs, wants and hot buttons. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with potential business allies that have the same target market.  Your networking strategy will produce stronger and faster results when you spend your time connecting in the right places. 

 Secondly, commit to a win/win.   Be clear about your objectives.  Set your intention to both meet the needs of your business AND serve others.  Think about what you can contribute  –  how can you share your expertise, and provide help and support?  This is the best way to get visible in a group and earn respect and trust.  After first giving of yourself and your knowledge, you’ll find that it will be a cinch to have your own business needs met.   

 Thirdly, go deep rather than wide.  Many business professionals end up feeling frustrated with their networking strategy because they spread themselves too thin.  Set aside some time to explore several groups offline and online that seem to be a good fit for your business.  Visit and participate for a little while, and then choose one to two online and one to two offline where you feel a resonance – a real connection.  Drill down deep in those groups.   In online communities, you can join and participate regularly in various groups that target your niche.  You can even become a group leader.  In offline communities, you may want to volunteer for or lead a committee or serve on the board of directors.  It’s when you go deep that people get to know, like and trust you.  This is the best way to remain visible. 

 Many professionals immerse themselves in one or the other strategy and struggle to keep a balance between the two.  Just remember — both are important.  Yes, you can sit in your PJ’s and network with people all over the world, as well as take advantage of the viral effect of social media. However, with all of the glory and media hype about social networking, there’s nothing that takes the place of a handshake, a smile and a face to face meeting. 

 Most of all, remember that networking is a process.  Be patient and consistent, and you’ll see positive results that will have a genuine impact on your bottom line. 

Networking Online & Offline was the topic for our Best Business Minds Masterclass in March.  To learn more about this and other topics in the Best Business Minds Mastermind group visit  http://themagicofmastermind.com/education-programs/ .