Welcome To Social Networking 101

[webmaster]

And hopefully 210, 211 and beyond. Yes I went and added yet another forum at Real Estate Webmasters - But this one is actually useful I swear

I created this forum to help educate our members on social networking and how to use this form of online participation to build relationships, and generate business.

What is hot, what is not? What does the future hold and how to we help create it?

[drang3d]

Any ideas to start this off? What are we talking about youtube, myspace, etc.?

[RESteve]

I recently had a closing with one of my clients, and pretty much the head of sales at a technology consulting firm. I wanted to pick his brain about how he networks and guys, he school'd me. Social networking, though mostly ignored by green agents, is THE WAY to build awesome, long lasting relationships and to also build a huge pipeline of referrals.

The thing is, there is no "formal" education on how to mingle, meet people, attend events, where to be online, etc., and perhaps this forum can serve that purpose. I say that there is no formal eduction - perhaps I haven't looked hard enough. None the less, it's very important that agents, including myself *slaps me on the hand*, learn the basics of social networking be it online, or in *gasp* real life so that we can build a great network of individuals that know us, and if had the opportunity would do business with us.

I think we can break this down to:

1) Where do you need to be online? Where should you maintain a presence?
2) What is the "protocol" you should maintain at each of these sites?

We need to teach people, not like I'm a master at it or anything, how to do the social networking that's required, not just where to be. I think that's the key.

[ResaleBroker]

The thing is, there is no "formal" education on how to mingle, meet people, attend events, where to be online, etc., and perhaps this forum can serve that purpose. I say that there is no formal eduction - perhaps I haven't looked hard enough.

There really is no shortage of information available on the topics of Social and Business Networking. Most sales trainers that I know share the viewpoint that networking is the way to go.

For a good read check out "Endless Referrals" by Bob Burg.

[BrandonSternfield]

When I got my degree for my niche in Computer Science, there was a two month class on just networking (I'm talking social, not computer heh, that was earlier). It was towards the end when during thesis work they were trying to get us ready for jobs, with interview classes etc.

Rule #1 - Always have business cards on you.
Rule #2 - If there are trade shows around you, go to them. Even if you are bored, you can always learn new info, and meet new people.
Rule #3 - Even if you are insanely shy, new people don't know that. There is no reason for you not to walk up to someone, introduce yourself, and offer to trade cards.

And the most important rule? Get yourself one of those business card holders, the ones that look like a baseball card holder. ALWAYS keep cards you get (in a social atmosphere, no one cares about the Mary-Kay lady ). I'm only 21, and I've only been holding cards for about 3 years, and I've used cards from way back. Nothing like calling someone up, saying who you are, and saying how you met at <insert area name> during <insert event name> and how you liked what they said, and you have a need for it now.

Networking is sort of like stamp/coin/sports card collecting. You really want everyone one you can get, just some are more important then others.

On a last note : If you think someone is actually a good contact, offer to go to lunch (heh, not buy lunch, go to lunch). It's been proven, that in networking when you first meet someone, that everyone feels more relaxed when there is food present. Hence the donuts and coffee at meetings etc.

[ResaleBroker]

There is so much more to networking than business cards, networking events, etc. IMO, networking comes down to relationships. An excellent book that addresses this mindset is "Networking Magic" by Rick Frishman and Jill Lublin.

[BrandonSternfield]

I only made one post I didn't say that was all you needed to know lol.

For most people that never did anything, it's easier to teach the smaller things. 99.9% of networking is dealing with people, and if someone is new to that sort of thing, focusing on a tangible goal (trade cards, compared to be friendly or helpful, which isn't a quantitative goal) is sometimes the way to start off.

[webmaster]

I just got back from my weekly BNI meeting locally (Not online) and we get together at 7 am every morning for an hour and a half. One of the most important things we do is pass referrals - however in order to be able to feel confident to do this, we need to know who we are dealing with, and be comfortable with their business and practices - So what do we do? BBI's or business building interviews - basically we get together first at one persons place of business, the next at the others - spend an hour checking out processes, facility, learn a little more about the person you are referring on a personal level as well - it really makes referring business easier

So we are online, and can't readily get together at each others businesses so what! We have instant messenger, we have telephones - so my first suggestion as the webmaster of this fledgling forum would be do a telephone BBI with another member here that you are already somewhat comfortable with. Set up a time to do this with a new member each week. Try to pick someone you feel has some strengths that you don't and potentially some holes in their game that you might be able to help with - if you know a lot about SEO, but are not good at sales, pick a kick ass salesperson who is not so good with the optimization side of things. You will find you build very strong relationships and your SOI grows quite quickly.

[ResaleBroker]

Good points Morgen. IMO, successful networking hinges on building mutually supportive relationships. No business cards required.

[webmaster]

Actually in BNI business cards are still very required - because we all carry a book containing every members card, so when someone says "I need a realtor" e can say "Here call Rob Grey, he is a great guy and a very competent agent, I know him personally and was really impressed with his operation"

Rob better do the same for me if someone wants a website