offline networking

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.

Two days before I was to drive to DC for the inauguration craziness, I backed out of my garage with a car door open.  Bent the door back.  It looked REALLY bad.  What did I immediately do?  Who did I turn to?  My online network.  I knew SOMEBODY or rather SOMEBODIES would be online to help me figure out this problem.  Lots of folks jumped in with support, both logistical and emotional.  The end of the story?  I got 3 positive recommendations for one Rife's Autobody.  I took it there thinking I would be leaving it there.  But this amazing dude shifted the door so it would latch and bent the top of the frame so I wouldn't have a huge gap.  Freakin Fabulous!  My car was now safe to drive. 

Social networking is not just a marketing tool for me.  My online network is my support network.  Themore I interact with folks online, the more they know me and trust me.  And yes, the more they know me and trust me, the more likely they are to recommend my professional services.  

Brian Lockrey of Assist Data Recovery shot a video of me discussing online and offline networking with a group of my tweeps (friends on Twitter).  The video should have been edited, but well, in all honesty imovie was giving me fits and I'm about to leave for DC for my inauguration adventure!  So, if you are strapped for time, just watch the first 4-5 miutes.  You'll get the idea.

During and after 2.Ohio (a pro-Obama tech event in Columbus), we heard repeatedly "when is the next event?"

A quote from Columbus Tech Life Meetup:
Mark Storey , Head and Heart Coaching, LLC:   "I was impressed with the coordination level with just about 4 weeks of planning. Great program, great coordination, great networking! What's next?"

With over 200 attendees at a tech event with a political purpose, what might we get if we removed the politics?   

A LOT.  We received a tremendous response when we opened it up.  Calling the informal group Columbus Tech Life, we found folks very interested in helping create a culture of innovation in Columbus.  Not a big surprise.  Throw an idea at entrepreneurs that the entrepreneurs care about and the results are staggering.  Columbus Tech Life is now 7 weeks old and here is what we have so far:

• Almost 400 members on the Columbus Tech Life meetup.
• A quickly filling event calendar.  The first two weeks of December offer 10 independent events of interest to the tech community.
• An active and open Columbus Tech Life wiki with 136 users.