Online Networking:Online Networking:It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You

KnowKnow

Edward C. Miller

March 10, 2009

NJALA

Created by Shana A. Gillis

Online NetworkingOnline Networking

See also: “SOCIAL NETWORKING GOD: 350+ Social Networking Sites,” http://mashable.com/2007/10/23/social-networking-god/

Representation of real world networking activity Cultivate contacts in a NOW society

○ Meet people○ Elevator speech: who you are & what you do○ Exchange contact information○ Follow-up○ Develop mutually-beneficial relationship

Up-to-date information on contacts Reconnect Expand network through existing connections, referrals

Online Business NetworkingOnline Business Networking

Common Sense CaveatCommon Sense Caveat

Assume everything you post (and you don’t post) on internet is public, regardless of privacy settings

Lawyers: Qualify your comments and responses○ An opinion and not advice○ Not the establishment of any type of attorney-client

relationship

Post with any other ethical considerations in mind

vs.vs.

only allows a relatively small picture, which you select

does not have public messages

does not have a portion specifically dedicated to personal information

allows others to post pictures of you and tag them to your profile

has a function for private messages, but its “Wall” function allows public messages

is specifically designed to share personal information, if you choose

Formed in 2001 Free service 35 million+ users Most accepted business network Business-focused Simple, user-friendly Searchable

○ Internally: Individuals, Companies, Groups○ Externally: Google, Yahoo! & other search engines

LinkedIn is a tool.

It does not do the work for you.

You have to put effort in to it

to get value out of it.

Create & Complete Profile○ Current & past positions with description of your work○ Education & other credentials○ Summary of your “expertise”○ Company website○ Interests○ Groups & Associations○ Honors & Awards○ Recommendations

Add Connections○ Import contacts from e-mail accounts ○ Search○ Add people to your network

with a personalize message

○ Make and ask for “Introductions” to connection’s network

Join Groups○ Alumni Associations○ Trade Associations○ Industry-related inGroups○ Fraternities & Sororities

Communicate○ “Answers”○ Join Group Discussions ○ Send message to connections on upcoming events or

interesting articles○ Update status

Other Applications○ SlideShare: Upload and share your presentations or

check out presentations of colleagues○ BlogLink: Connect your blog to your profile and share

with connections

Ed …

Ed is networking on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a tool.

It does not do the work for you.

You have to put effort in to it

to get value out of it.

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers