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.
