Online networking
I have posted on the importance of online networking if you are serious about establishing a good website in your industry. It is not a fast way, it is not easy, and it is time consuming. But it is necessary. The importance of networking is now often discussed among internet entrepreneurs
I have developed a sort of program that according to my plans should help me to improve my skills and knowledge and also achieve some sort of recognition among webmasters. I am not sure how much time it will take to see first results, but I hope 6-8 months are enough. Take notice – I do not speak of becoming a well known person in my niche; I talk about a certain degree of recognition among certain webmasters.
Steps are easy to implement and to tell the truth I like this kind of networking.
1. Targets:
a. gain a certain degree of online reputation (desired level: when I feel the necessity to add online reputation monitoring beginners guide to this program),
b. establish new business contacts that may result in new opportunities,
c. closely observe the industry tendencies
2. Time limit: 25-30 minutes daily.
3. Ways to network online:
- webmaster forums/ groups (I have selected five from this list of Top 20 webmaster forums)
- blog comments. To be frank, I did not actively comment blogs up to this week – once I have read what traffic one can expect from commenting the blogs I am about to test this technique shortly. I am signed with 35-40 blogs in my Bloglines account, but I occasionally leave comments. Now I am going to change this.
4. Now I will talk more about forum participation as an efficient online networking method. Take your time to read the forum if you are a newly registered member. Post a few threads and replies. Make your signature – take care not to compete with this very website otherwise the moderator can ban your account. It is not always the case, but I have some experience of this sort.
5. My way of networking with forums functions in this way:
- open a few sub-forums simultaneously. Scan for FAQ, make notes to post on your blog on these topics. Also read those posts where you learn new things or members discuss topics that you find interesting, ask your questions.
- next – open threads with titles that you have experience or knowledge to reply or comment. Try to be helpful or do not post at all.
- PM persons with your offers if you think they might be interested.
Summary: You are welcome to modify my networking program for your industry. I am sure that it is not perfect and there are more experienced people in online networking – I would be glad to make changes and additions to this program based on your comments.
If your voice is heard and recognized online it is a great way to generate natural links. For instance, I know that Darren does do any link exchanges. Why should he if he is a well known online entrepreneur who gets a lot of natural links to his useful posts?
So, if you succeed to become ‘popular’ on the Internet you are doomed to get new offers, natural links and many other benefits. What does it take to gain that reputation? If there was a recipe it would be easy and of no use…
[eminimall]
[tags]online reputation, networking, online communities, forums, web forums, traffic, links bait, social bookmarking, web 2.0, domain names, text-link-ads, links buying, myspace, seo, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, blogs, content generation, google, make money online, work from home, home based job, duplicate content, earn your living online[/tags]