Offline Networking VS Online Networking

Online networking provides a complement to, and enhancement of, offline networking; in many cases, it also takes its place. Those in business who truly understand and appreciate the fundamental nature of networks and their core position as the glue of human relations; also understand that it is in networks that an individual expands themselves, their opportunities and their knowledge. How many times have you heard a successful business person explain their success with the words "I'm just a good networker"?

While the skill of networking can provide an average individual with resources, advice, knowledge and opportunities; the lack of those skills can severely impair even the greatest business person. When you come to understand how basic and fundamental the concept of networks is to understanding societies and their success or failure - then you begin to understand how this core skill can make the difference between your success, your mediocrity, and even your failure as a business person.

It always used to surprise me when I met business people who had so many interests and were members of so many clubs outside of their work; in fact, everything they did seemed to have a club associated with it. What I hadn't realized at that time was that all these people were 'networking'; yes, they probably enjoyed their squash club, their cycling club, their running club, and all the other clubs they were members of - but was it really entirely for the sake of leisure that they joined? No. It was to meet other like minded individuals and share thoughts, ideas, contacts, resources - the more people you know the more opportunities and information come your way. In the offline 'real world' this can be tiring. Online is a different matter.

Online marketing takes all those elements of networking and multiplies them by the whole world: scrap the worldwide web: it's the world wide network! Imagine that badminton club after work was actually in a building that was mysteriously connected to every other badminton club in the world and all you had to do was walk through a door and meet all its members. Welcome to that badminton club, welcome to online networking. The true beauty of it is, though, that you don't actually have to work up a sweat to get in.

The networks of greatest value, in any situation, are the largest and those with members who are also members of many other networks. What this means is that the network as a whole has access to a wider range of information; not only from its members directly, but also via those connections to other networks and their information. On the simplest level the more members, the more connections each member has and the easier it is for you to communicate with those members then the greater value a network has for you. Internet networks provide just this scenario; both for you as an individual and for your business.

There are very many online networking websites which cater to very many different social groups. Famously, MySpace serves all groups and is used by many business people simply because of its massive user base and, therefore, vast number of members who are also connected to other networks. If you are serious about networking then you should have a presence on MySpace. Figures in 2006 showed it to be the world's sixth most popular website, the third most popular in the United States, with over a hundred million individual user accounts; as such, MySpace comes the closest to being the internet's overall 'network of networks'.

There are a wide range of networking services online, some competing directly with MySpace and others targeting more specific interest groups or activities. With its massive user base MySpace is worth getting involved in but as a business person there are other services which target you specifically and create an environment custom designed for your needs.

LinkedIn is one such networking service, targeting business professionals. By mid 2007 it was reported to have over eleven million registered members, covering one hundred and fifty industries and over four hundred economic regions. It targets three core networking activities: staying in touch or getting in touch with colleagues and friends, past and present; assistance is finding or advertising career opportunities; and finding information related to your industry or business. Between the LinkedIn staff and resources, and the eleven million members, this must be the internet's business network of networks!

With many negative new stories based on the internet, and the frivolous nature of much reporting about MySpace and social networking sites, it is easy to dismiss them as a fad or something not to take seriously; but when you consider the real benefits of networking a 'club' like MySpace of over a hundred million members, and LinkedIn with more than eleven million, it is difficult to dismiss these sites or their obvious potential benefits. Five minutes on one of these sites could, potentially, gain you a great deal more than hours at the squash courts.