Network Strength

How powerful is your network? Or rather, how do you make your network even more powerful than it already is? Try these four strategies:

1) Go Wide: Get more people onto your network list. This is often done at networking events.

2) Go for Quality: Get "better", more relevant people onto your list. This is done by spending time at more relevent events, and better "qualifying" the people before you add them.

3) Go Deep: Develop stronger relationships with each person. This is usually done by doing something of value for them, and/or spending time with them.

4) Go Smarter: Use better tools to actively manage your network. This is done by using Social Media sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook, as opposed to PC-only contact management software. (It is also done by becoming knowledgeable: reading books like Online PR and Social Media.)

This week's action plan: We often have no problem with going wide, but the other three strategies require work. This week, choose one of the three and add it to your calendar.

Bonus idea: Too often we blindly accept Social Media connection requests. Improve the quality of your network by "weeding out" the deadwood, and not accepting every person who walks in the door.

Randall Craig is an expert on Social Media Strategy and Social Media Policy; to find out how his workshops, webinars, and keynotes can help your team or add to your event, contact him through www.RandallCraig.com, or by email at editor@ptadvisors.com.

Make It Happen Tipsheet
Comments or questions? let us know: editor@ptadvisors.com

Copyright © 2010 Knowledge to Action Press and Randall Craig. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: Nov 9, 2010