Don't be a Network Groupie, Be Productive Instead

by Byron Woodson II

I was talking to a friend that dipped her toe in the social networking arena, and didn't like the feel of the water. I'll keep her name under wraps so as not to embarrass her (especially because I'm going to make fun of her here). Let's call her Marie (I know no Marie's).

Marie was talking to me today about how someone in her industry said that print advertising is dead. They said that they stopped all money going into postcards, mailings and the like, and moved all of their money into online advertising and social networking. They even recommended getting into blogging, facebook and linkedin. Sounds a bit novel doesn't it?

Marie was telling me this because I'm in charge of the marketing of her business. I had to have a conversation with her about how that wouldn't really work for her. She's one of the people with a low BS tolerance, and in social networking, there's a lot of BS going around. She said that she attended a few meetings of a prominent networking organization (I don't want to drag them into this mud) and was put off. She wasn't impressed by the caliber of people in that organization.

I told her that social networking isn't just social networking. If you don't want to network socially, then network for a purpose. I told her to go back to that organization and get on a committee. I told Marie that people won't recommend her in her line of business because they haven't heard nor seen evidence of her work or work ethic. What she should do is to go and get back in the organization and join a couple committees, and become a reliable member of those committees. Going to general body meetings and social events is soo early 2000's. Especially today, everyone is a member of an organization. The new distinction isn't if you're a member, it's if you're a productive member (though some organizations care more about dues than anything)!

By joining an organization you meet people, you get to know them socially. By taking on responsibilities as part of a committee, either permanent or ad-hoc, you get to know people through their work, and vice versa. If you knew three accountants, and one of them was a solid member of your committee, who would you refer business to? The one who was a solid member of the committee of course!

The basic theme here is to not only join an organization, but to do something productive in it. You know a person by their deeds, not their words.

Do this:
1. Find an organization that you might like, go join one or two of their committees.
2. If you used to be part of an organization already, re-activate your membership.
3. If you are part of an organization, don't just be active by attending events, be productive by producing them.
4. If you're already head of a committee (or three), step down and let someone else hold the reins. In your down-time, join another organization.
5. If you're not into the 'group' thing, fire up tivo an stay by yourself :)