Comments on: Build Your Network Before You Need It

By: NDK Creative Artist

NDK Creative Artist — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:49:20 +0000

Though this repeats what so many have already acknowledged I’d like to add that ‘fast-buckerism’ tends to feed the notion that one does not have to build a solid network foundation before proceeding.

I think this is quite possibly the factor in underestimating the amount of effort required to make new ventures work.

By: Mike Foster

Mike Foster — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:16:56 +0000

This is great advice and something that is often overlooked. I recently read that when social networking, do not forget the word “social.” Treat other people the way you like to be treated yourself and good things are bound to happen. And the need to build a social networ early and often is invaluable advice. thanks…mike

By: Drew McManus

Drew McManus — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:21:02 +0000

This is an excellent post. I would say that the age of traditional networking is all but dead, thanks in part to blogging and new media. Essentially, making stronger connections through sincerity is the new mantra. to that end, United Airlines published an article in their in-flight magazine by Srikumar S. Rao about this new sincerity based networking. It’s a great piece and it inspired me to blog about it right after I returned from that business trip.
http://www.adaptistration.com/adaptistration/2007/05/making-stronger.html

By: Martin Buckland

Martin Buckland — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:02:04 +0000

Great post!

I have been “Twittering” for a couple of weeks, a great medium for getting out a short and sweet message about what I am doing business wise.

Like all things on the web, time will tell if it is successful in SEO.

By: Chris W

Chris W — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:10:50 +0000

A great book on building and maintaining your network of contacts is Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. “Build it before you need it” is one of elements he touches on in the book and it’s so true. You can check out his blog at http://nevereatalone.typepad.com/blog/ to learn more as well. Lots of great advice if you’re not sure how to go about networking.

Cheers!

By: Connie Bensen

Connie Bensen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:56:06 +0000

Your network is your community. Continually ask what you can do for them & when you need something they will help out. The value in continually growing & nurturing it is that you’ll be all the richer when you need them (and they need you) – it’s a symbiotic relationship.

By: Chase Roper

Chase Roper — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:47:49 +0000

I always try to live with the philosophy that “you get what you give.” Sometimes, you get what you didn’t give, whether for better or worse, so I suppose I live by a lot more than just that.

I started out using sites like twitter and myspace, and all the rest, to really just meet people and connect with others that do work that I appreciate and am a fan of. After a couple years, I found that I had made friends with these people and now have “connections” I never realized would helpful now. Those people would not have become friends if I my intentions were self serving in the first place.

Great post!

Chase

By: Doug Firebaugh

Doug Firebaugh — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:25:56 +0000

To go into the blogging realm to see what you can get from it is a mistake. Relationships are a givng organic thing. If you approach blogging as “I have something for you” vs “I want something from you”- you will have a much more powerful impact- as blogging is all about impact, impart, and inform. If you take the time to develop strong relationships, they will eventually prove to be a doorway for potential business that you can walk through- once you have proven your intentions.

By: Todd Andrews

Todd Andrews — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:13:03 +0000

I see this all the time when people look at ways of generating income off tactics instead of first establishing a core strategy. Sounds like they missed their optimal opening.

By: Metro

Metro — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:04:39 +0000

My experience with business development – blogs included – is that whatever you do today will benefit you 6 to 36 months later or more.

I read a quote from Lee Trevino, the golfer, that it took him 30 years to become an overnight success.

Everything takes time.

By: Stephen Hopson

Stephen Hopson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:23:18 +0000

This post reasonated with me especially because the publication of my first-ever book is months away but I am just starting to immerse myself in the world of social media for the first time.

One of my subscribers even created the “Stephen Hopson Fanclub” at FB, much to my surprise. When that happened, I realized that could be used as a launching pad for when the book is released down the road. So I have plenty of time to develop relationships between now and the release date.

Excellent article – build your network before you need them makes a lot of good sense. Enjoyed it! Thanks.

By: Muscle Post

Muscle Post — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:13:57 +0000

Excellent advice. Some people look at networking as simply a way to make instant connections with people who can help you. In actuality, there is a lot more to it than this. Neworking is relationship building, and if people think you are using them right away you are never going to build that relationship in the first place.

By: A Suresh Kumar

A Suresh Kumar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:00:49 +0000

You are absolutely right. In order to become become success in online business, we need to use Social marketing sites link Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin.

But you will not get result with one night, you need to have patience in order to achieve your milestone.

By: Moise

Moise — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:31:54 +0000

Thanks Darren, great as usual.

By: aizal

aizal — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:27:43 +0000

To sum up of all the tips of successful blogging is building the network first!
Thanks Darren. Precious tips for newbie like me.

By: Starfeeder

Starfeeder — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:02:48 +0000

Great post, bookmarked… great to come back here or link other people too when trying to help them with their social-networking + business questions

By: Ryan McLean

Ryan McLean — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:38:06 +0000

It is so true that networking takes a lot of time. You can’t expect to do it in a month or two.
I am trying to give as much as I can on my financial blog, before I ask for much from my readers (though I do ask a little bit)
Great post

By: Lewis

Lewis — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:46:31 +0000

Darren,

I am loving the ProBlogger book, almost finished!

I am glad you posted this entry because it is excatly what I needed to hear. For the past 6 months I started to build my network on LinkedIn (and recently on Twitter) and have already created some amazing opportunities and built high quality relationships. I have my own book coming out in 3 months, and I hope to use my network for my new blog coming out in the following weeks (implimenting the tips I received from ProBlogger book and this very blog)

I have nearly 5000 emails from various nices markets I will be targeting, so I think it will be good that I have built these relationships before I have a product to sell.

Thanks

Lewis

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:24:00 +0000

Yeah, if the relationships weren’t established, even if you got the words out, people aren’t going to care about those words either… same way you take your friend’s recommendations more seriously than the marketing emails somehow delivered to your inbox.

By: David

David — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:49:43 +0000

excellent post – trust building in your network first – yes