The A-Z's of Online Social Networking

We all know that online networking is important, but for those just getting started it's a MASSIVE learning curve.

* Where do you invest your energy first?
* How do you choose the channels most beneficial for you?
* When do you make the crossover from virtual connections to handshakes?
* How do you get it right straight of the bat?
* HOW DO YOU DO IT QUICKLY AND EASILY?

For those just getting started, heres ya A-Z...

A ) All the engines. Ask.com, Alltheweb.com, About.com, AltaVista.com-make sure you research your presence in as many places as you can before beginning to network.
B ) Brand and Brightspark. What words do you want to be associated with your name? Decide on your personal brand before pushing it. Use the right tools to meet your targets quickly and easily - http://www.brightsparkprospect.com/?strat326
C ) Classmates.com. Although it may not be dancing in the spotlight with newer social networks, it�s a great way of rekindling old friendships that can become new colleagues & contacts.
D ) Digg.com. For networking? Yes. Used best for establishing content-driven relationships with like-minded industry types. Starting dialogs & discussions.
E ) Endorsements. Erase any doubts by requesting endorsements from past colleagues, mentors, and friends on LinkedIn.com, personal sites, etc.
F ) Facebook.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it professional. Flourish.
G ) Goals. Make sure you have established goals for your efforts. Know the people you want to interact with & the industry trends you want to be associated with.
H ) �How to Change the World� blog. Read it. Guy Kawasaki�s blog��A practical blog for impractical people� covers everything anyone may need to stay motivated and get ahead, this dude knows his onions.
I ) Identity Management Sites. Check out Naymz.com & Ziggs.com. Great sites to help evolve and manage your brand.
J ) Joking & Jesting. Keep it to a minimum initially. Be sure to establish a presence before taking to informal interactions with other industry professionals.
K ) Keywords. Set up the relevant ones to come to you via Google alerts, RSS feeds, e-mail newsletters, etc. Know your valuable Keywords.
L ) LinkedIn.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it Professional. Link up.
M ) Market Yourself. Treat your name as a client. Build up your skills, and strengthen your weakness. Make sure you are meeting your audience's expectations.
N ) Netiquette. Be sure to follow the appropriate guidelines when interacting online. Wade in don't jump, never spam, be patient, etc.
O ) Online Reputation Management. Know what is being said about you (and your company) and react accordingly.
P ) Persistency. Get a top-notch coffee maker, rebull is good, subscribe to motivational quotes, and understand. Online Networking is NOT a part-time job.
Q ) Questions. Ask them. Don't shy from embracing your newbie status with online platforms and communities. Ask questions and reap the benefits of the knowledge available to you.
R ) Read everything. No really--read blogs, reviews, summaries, critiques. Be sure you have the full picture of the network you want to infiltrate.
S ) Support Others. There are a lot of words to go under but this one can't be ignored. Be sure to return the favor when receiving industry support.
T ) Twitter. Get on it. Use it. Don't always keep it professional. Tweet yourself a brand.
U ) Use Multiple Tools. Never count on just one platform. Diversify yourself across multiple boards, platforms, networks, etc.
V ) Video Blogs. Anytime you can incorporate your face with your words/knowledge, it's a win-win.
W ) Webinars. Attend as many as you can, host them on your favorite topics, and reap the rewards of this viral interaction.
X ) XING.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it professional. Go global.
Y ) You. It all starts with you. What are you waiting for?
Z ) ZZZZZZ's...?

So come on people? What did I miss? Is there a tool that has been incredibly beneficial in networking yourself online?

http://www.brightsparkprospect.com/?strat326
#) It shows you how to generate tons of quality, targeted prospects - AUTOMATICALLY.

#) It shows you that it's not necessary to spend 26 hours a day at my computer. Today I finish all my marketing chores in one half hour - once a WEEK.

#) It shows you that getting all the hits I need is SIMPLE. But you have to know the techniques the "Big Boys" use, but don't tell us about.

#) Builds your network, large scale through one url, saving you hours of time and tedious frustration...

#) Automatically create your site with a push of a button, html knowledge is not needed as its all done for you...

#) Full step by step help to get it set up straight away, Once you set it, you can forget it...

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#) Downline viewer shows your direct or indirect members, you'll see how effective "Viral" can be...

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All new accounts are free in pre-lauch before (1st March 10)

I Don't Have Time For Twitter or Facebook | Perry Belcher

The Rules have Changed Web 2.0

Advantages and Disadvantages of Finding Dates on Social Networking Sites

John DeLellis

 

Have you been looking for love, but in all of the wrong places?  Many singles are fed up with the traditional bar scene; therefore, many are looking for alternatives when it comes to meeting and possibly falling in love with someone.  One of those alternatives is online dating. Online dating has skyrocketed in popularity.  Millions of Americans have turned to the internet in hopes of finding love.  If you are thinking about doing the same, you may be wondering if it is really worth it.  To determine whether or not it is, you are advised to examine the advantages and disadvantages of online dating. 

 

Before you can begin to examine the advantages and disadvantages of using your social networking website for dating, it is important to remember one thing.  There are two main types of social networking websites.  The first type is often classified as traditional networking websites.  These websites are websites that tend to have an open membership. An open membership means that anyone can join them. The second type are known as specialty social networking websites. Specialty social networking websites tend to focus on a particular topic or interest, such as online dating. 

 

One thing that you may not know about online dating and social networking is that they are almost always connected. When many individuals go in search for love online, many head to online dating websites. Did you know that online dating websites are actually socially networking websites?  What sets online dating websites apart from traditional social networking sites is that all of the individuals who are a part of the online community are looking to find love. In fact, that is one of the many advantages to using social networking websites, especially those with a focus on relationships.

 

When you join a traditional social networking site, one that allows all different types of internet users to join, it is often hard to tell what many are looking for. A large number of network users are looking for love, but many more are only looking for friendships.  Online dating websites help to eliminate confusion and awkward moments, especially when approaching someone who is not interested in starting a relationship. 

 

Another one of the many benefits to using online social networking sites to find a date is that you literally have an unlimited number of different choices. Social networking websites have expended overtime.  In fact, many networks have as many as a million members. This means that if you are looking for love online, there is a good chance that you can find a love interest online. In fact, you could probably find more than one!

 

Although social network dating has its advantages, there are disadvantages as well. One of the main disadvantages is the cost of using the networks service. As previously mentioned, online dating websites are the best type of social network to join, especially if you are looking for a romantic partner.  Unfortunately, unlike most traditional networking sites, most dating sites require a paid membership. To many this membership is worth the cost, but overtime it could get quite expensive and you are not guaranteed any results.

 

In addition to the cost of dating online, there are a large number of safety concerns that could be considered disadvantages as well.  Unfortunately, the internet has made it easy for individuals to claim to be someone who they are not. Essentially, this means that you could be starting an online relationship with someone who is not as they look in their photos or their personality is not as they described to you.  While this will not only lead to disappointment when you find out, it could also lead to danger.  There have been numerous reports of instances where online dates resulted in abuse or murder; therefore, you are always urged to be careful and meet your dates in a safe, public place.

 

The above mentioned advantages and disadvantages of social networking dating are just a few of the many.  One you have examined all of these advantages and disadvantages, you can compare the two. If you find that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages then social networking and dating might be right for you.

 

Additional Reading 

Free internet Marketing Resources

 

 

 

 

 

A Popular Social Networking Website Classmates.com

Have you ever wondered whatever happened to your high school sweetheart? How about your best friend who you lost contact with overtime?  If you have there is a good chance that you have tried to contact them.  Unfortunately, many individuals get married or move away.  This may make it difficult to contact those that you used to know. That is unless you join one of the most popular online social networking websites. That website is known as Classmates.

 

Although classmates is considered a social networking website, it is, in a way, unique from most of the others.  This is because classmates focuses on connections that were made in school, whether it be elementary school, high school, or college. Although it is encouraged that you contact those that you know from school, you are able to contact just about anyone on the website. That is one of the many features of Classmates that makes the social networking site worth joining.

 

The only problem that many internet users have with Classmates is the fact that it is often requires a paid membership. There is a free membership plan that is available, but you are limited with what you can do on the site. Despite the fact that you have to become a paid member to enjoy what Classmates has to offer, it is well worth it. In addition to being well worth it, the membership fee is easy to afford. Currently, there are three different levels of membership that you can sign up for, the highest being only five dollars a month. 

 

If you are interested in seeing what Classmates has to offer, you can easily do so by visiting their online website at www.classmates.com.  Once at their main page, you will have to go through the process of selecting your school.  Once that has been done, you will then need to create a user profile. This profile is part of what will be displayed on the website; however, once you officially become a member you can add more information to your profile. 

 

With a free membership, you can post your own profile and view profiles from other members. Viewing the profiles of other members, especially those that you went to school with, is easy.  Classmates has separated everyone into categories. These categories not only include the schools that everyone went to, but the years that they attended. This means that whether you graduated in 1970 or 2000, you should easily be able to obtain information on your classmates.

 

Although you can view other member profiles with a free membership, you cannot contact them. To make contact with those that you have lost touch with, you will need to become a paying member. As previously mentioned, this membership is relatively easy to afford.  Once you have become a paid member, you cannot not only contact your classmates individually, but you can also send out broadcast messages or announcements to everyone that you went to school with.  A paid membership also gives you the ability to use the message boards. 

 

By joining Classmates, you will not only be able to make contact with your old classmates and friends, but you may also even be able to renew old friendships or make new ones.  Reconnecting with your old friends and making new ones, what could be better than that?

 

Additional Reading 

Free internet Marketing Resources