by 
Thank You!
I want to take this time and thank those of you who I have connected with over the past four years. I have been able to meet so many people online who have shared great insights regarding different marketing topics. In some cases, I have also been able to cultivate these relationships and worked directly with these same people. It has really been a tremendous privilege to to connect with some of the best people online.
If you are a marketer, you really need to extend your networks and work with great people both locally, nationally and even globally. I can’t tell you how important it is to connect with others and the internet makes it possible to connect with people outside traditional, local areas.
Ideas
The greatest value these connections have provided me with are “ideas”. It is great to bounce ideas off other people and listen to processes that have worked well for others. By listening to others, it helps you gain a better perspective of tools and processes from another vantage point that you may have not considered.
Content on Blogs
I really enjoy reading content provided by these connections. Typically these blog posts are written from a first-hand experience which makes them even more valuable from a content standpoint.
Social Media Connection
It is great to connect with these people online because they become your strongest advocates because they actually know more about you and your company.
Getting Started and Networking
Be open to meeting new people online. I prefer connecting with these people on Linkedin and Twitter.
Linkedin is great for meeting people in your local market. By performing a little screening on their profile, you can see if their background would warrant a connection. Once you establish a connection and work with them, show your appreciation by writing a referral. It will help you stay connected and show that you value them as a connection.
Twitter can be an excellent place to connect with people outside your immediate area. Search keyword content and hashtags. Check out the person’s profile and see if they actively maintain their own site or write for a particular company. Read one of their articles and share your thoughts with them. Also, call them out directly and ask a question. I, personally need to work on this last one a little more.
You have access to connections like never before. Are you investing the time in cultivating relationships? It can really pay dividends for your down the road.
Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
