Is social networking for us?

Robert Gerrish Good question. After some cursory Googling it’s clear the jury’s still out on the value of online social networks. The stampede of early adopters would have us believe it’s a must-have, but is it?

For those of us who work from home and try to minimise time wasted through unnecessary travel, there’s no doubt online networking has great appeal.

The question is, what can networking online achieve in the real world? I want to find out so am offering myself up as a crash-test dummy. Just like the one used by those hairy blokes on MythBusters.

A few weeks ago, Flying Solo contributor, Louise Gorrie wrote a fine piece defining the marketing aspect of online networks in which she mentions LinkedIn.

I joined LinkedIn in 2005 and have comprehensively ignored it ever since. That’s about to change!

If you are a member of LinkedIn, I invite you to join my network and I’ll report back on my experiences in a future post.

LinkedIn members, here’s what to do:

- hop along to my directory page
- Click ‘View Full Profile’
- Once there, hit “Add Robert to my network”

I’m hoping that with new connections and some focused working of the system, the earth will move. We’ll see.

While I’m waiting, I’d love to hear of your experiences of online networking. Has it been fruitful or a waste of time? How do you get the most from it? Tell us via a comment.

Okay must dash over to my inbox and see who wants to be my friend.

Got experiences to share on the topic of online social networks? Share your opinions online.

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Until next week.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

39 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

linking with a few strategic people - can in turn link you with almost all of Brisbane! Heather Smith from SUNNY BRISBANE! | Read my articles
I found general social networking sites (like Linkedln) to be of less value than specific social network sites, which tend to congregate 'like-minded' individuals. David Dixon from Sydney, Australia
I have found that LinkedIn worked similar to Facebook in that you can connect with old work colleagues you have lost track of, which can lead to possibilities for job offers or freelance work. By joining specific Groups on LinkedIn you can also connect with like minded individuals. A lot of the Groups are not advertised, I find if you search for people in your field (from blogs etc) on LinkedIn you can find interesting Groups they belong to and can request to join. You can also search by keyword and type using the Groups feature. Ivan Slade from Sydney
I joined one - then deactivated it. I can see benefits in people sharing experiences and photos for family experiences, but I can't see how business would benefit much. The frustrating thing is that social networking sites do not even explain how it works - they just make you sign up and leave you to work it out yourself. I don't find that encouraging. Perhaps some people could explain why they think the 'social networks' work for them and their business? KC from NSW
Social networking with a couple of sites in the US have actually led to business opportunities, including adding a service for customers and additional sales for my business. I am on Linkedin but haven't done much.
Just like face to face networking it takes time and the same rules apply so you can't expect overnight results. Susan Oakes from Sydney
Robert I teach people about LinkedIn via one of my blogs and speak at seminars and teleseminars. In fact a US teleseminar I did just 2 weeks ago brought about an invitation to go to Canada next year to speak at a conference at Niagara Falls. Naturally I accepted!
You really should get into LinkedIn more and visit my blog at SOHO-Life.com to learn more about it! Kathie M. Thomas from Melbourne, Australia | Read my articles

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