social networking for professionals

How does a design and manufacturing company in rural Ohio find itself receiving $100,000 worth of consulting? Recently I had the opportunity to talk with someone that most would not guess to be an innovator in using social networking for business purposes. From the onset of our conversation, he talked about how his town, Gnadenhutten, located in eastern Ohio, is the second oldest established settlement and oldest permanent settlement in the state’s history. A town of 1,300 found in Tuscarawas County, Gnadenhutten’s largest employer is the local school district, followed by Tusco Display.

Target Audience

• Workshop is intended for entry level social networkers. Attendees will have minimal experience with any social network. Most likely have a LinkedIn account but rarely use it. Some have Facebook accounts but those who do use Facebook do so socially, not professionally. Very few use or understand Twitter.

Guidelines

1. Think of social networking as electronically meeting a colleague at a coffee shop.  The difference is that:

• You choose whom you happen across at your virtual coffee shop, and
• You further develop relationships with multiple colleagues, at the same time, when you choose.

2. Social networking tools, in particular, provide an opportunity to strengthen your network both offline and online.  

• Find offline events through your online network and with online tools.  The viral nature of social networks will help promote offline events.
• Get to know folks online that you originally met offline and vice versa.

3. The number of social media tools can be overwhelming.  Find a few that meet your needs and adjust as you experience the need, not because new tools exist.

4. Focus on the quality of your online relationships, not the quantity.  To genuinely develop a strong network mix your personal and professional lives.  Help your network to get to know you as a person.  We are all more likely to do business with folks we know and trust.