How important is networking to you?

Osiris · 12-14-2005

This is something I've always been really bad at doing. When I was actively doing design(I still do some so if you need it let me know) I failed at getting new clients miserably.

Now networking is something I don't try to do anymore. I don't feel that I need it anymore to make it in this business. I used to think I needed to network when I was doing submissions to links list and TGPs, but now I don't even bother with them.

Sin · 12-14-2005

I used to think it would be somewhat important (even though you repeatedly told me otherwise) and as usual I ignored you for the first while then learned the lesson "the hard way" (luckily not too hard)

Now I think networking still has its values & positive aspects, but I think its rather reliant on who you're networking with.

Nickatilynx · 12-14-2005

Being good friends with 5 good webmasters can be more beneficial to your business than beng friends with 500 regulars on GFY ;-))

Sin · 12-14-2005

Excellent point.

MorganGrayson · 12-14-2005

Let's define "networking" as the "process by which you discover those five good friends" and networking is very important.

Osiris · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickatilynx

Being good friends with 5 good webmasters can be more beneficial to your business than beng friends with 500 regulars on GFY ;-))

Indeed. It's quality, not quantity for damn sure in this business. And this board has some quality people on it. Don't take that as ass kissing because as Sin and a few others can tell you, I don't kiss Anybody's ass. Which is why I don't fit in well other places.

Maybe you'll heed my warnings next time babe?

Ya know I loves ya!

Sin · 12-14-2005

"Ya know I loves ya!" ?????? *looks terrified*

If you're going to threaten me like that then yes, yes, I will heed your warnings next time, lol

Stop typing like that please lol

Sin · 12-14-2005

Oh and I love you too

TheEnforcer · 12-14-2005

Well, Nick just summed it up nicely.

Osiris · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganGrayson

Let's define "networking" as the "process by which you discover those five good friends" and networking is very important.

Networking is probably relevant depending on the work you're doing. Thoughts?

Osiris · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sin

"Ya know I loves ya!" ?????? *looks terrified*

If you're going to threaten me like that then yes, yes, I will heed your warnings next time, lol

Stop typing like that please lol

MorganGrayson · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osiris

Networking is probably relevant depending on the work you're doing. Thoughts?

If you're selling something, networking is more important. Advertising is crucial in sales. Thusly, getting your name out is important.

If you're learning, or seeking a mentor, or something along those lines, you have to be very careful. Just because you read somebody's name on a message board doesn't mean that person has a damned thing of value to teach you. In fact, you could set yourself up as pupil to a complete idiot who does your business much more harm than good.

Osiris · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganGrayson

If you're selling something, networking is more important. Advertising is crucial in sales. Thusly, getting your name out is important.

If you're learning, or seeking a mentor, or something along those lines, you have to be very careful. Just because you read somebody's name on a message board doesn't mean that person has a damned thing of value to teach you. In fact, you could set yourself up as pupil to a complete idiot who does your business much more harm than good.

Depends on what you're selling. If you're selling a service to webmasters then yes, networking is very important. However, if you're marketing a product through SEs, PPC SEs, AdWords etc.. you don't really need to network with people to be a success. Right?

MorganGrayson · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osiris

Depends on what you're selling. If you're selling a service to webmasters then yes, networking is very important. However, if you're marketing a product through SEs, PPC SEs, AdWords etc.. you don't really need to network with people to be a success. Right?

OK, you are now WAY out of my area.

I'm a writer, so what I "marketed" was my stories. I needed my name out, and my ability to write out, to sell the stories.

RyanLanane · 12-14-2005

The last month I have done more networking than I have done since 1998 - It has given me great results. I am not overflowing with work, however it is gradually picking up.. Offering to do a super small $10 project for someone real quick led to me doing a $100 project for them a week later..

I have had one referral come from a prior client so far, that's it - But I talk to my clients find out who they know and then I can approach that person and talk to them casually saying "Name" was talking about you the other day when I was doing some work for him, sounds like you are doing well for yourself..

Which inevtiably leads to, "What were you helping him out with?"

Sin · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanLanane

I have had one referral come from a prior client so far, that's it - But I talk to my clients find out who they know and then I can approach that person and talk to them casually saying "Name" was talking about you the other day when I was doing some work for him, sounds like you are doing well for yourself..

Which inevtiably leads to, "What were you helping him out with?"

?????

I wouldn't ever approach someone & say "So & so was talking about you the other day...." BAD approach, real bad approach, whether positive or negative things were being said, its a bad approach IMO.

selena · 12-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorganGrayson

Let's define "networking" as the "process by which you discover those five good friends" and networking is very important.

Agreed.

You network to discover who those 5 that are worth knowing are.

Dravyk · 12-14-2005

Networking (in the sense mentioned, meeting new people) is required when you're starting out in a new industry or in a new area of an industry. Once you've done it for years, you can to some degree layback. Networking in the sense of keeping those connections you have established remains important.

MorganGrayson · 12-15-2005

Thanks to both selena and Dravyk.

Lately, I've gone on a very intense "let's define our terms here" kick that I think could shorten up a lot of "discussions" in other threads.

Newton · 12-18-2005

Networking can be highly lucrative in terms of experience, knowledge and headway made into the business. Do it right and money follows as a natural consequence.

Stacey_JoinRightNow · 12-19-2005

yeah very much bec. Networking allows for resource sharing (e.g., multiple computers sharing one printer), data sharing, and communication or data exchange and also providing global communication between nodes on government, educational, and industrial networks.

Trev · 12-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newton

Networking can be highly lucrative in terms of experience, knowledge and headway made into the business. Do it right and money follows as a natural consequence.

Agreed, but then I'm just a chatty little geezer so I spend quite a bit of time talking to people. Not sure if that's classed as networking or gossiping though

12-14-2005	#1
Osiris Future BROmaster Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 288	How important is networking to you? This is something I've always been really bad at doing. When I was actively doing design(I still do some so if you need it let me know) I failed at getting new clients miserably. Now networking is something I don't try to do anymore. I don't feel that I need it anymore to make it in this business. I used to think I needed to network when I was doing submissions to links list and TGPs, but now I don't even bother with them. __________________ )O( Osiris-37967434 He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

12-14-2005	#2
Sin My program is online. 90 days to MILLIONS! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 1,278	Re: How important is networking to you? I used to think it would be somewhat important (even though you repeatedly told me otherwise) and as usual I ignored you for the first while then learned the lesson "the hard way" (luckily not too hard) Now I think networking still has its values & positive aspects, but I think its rather reliant on who you're networking with. __________________ The new way to sell your Exclusive Video!!

12-14-2005	#3
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	Re: How important is networking to you? Being good friends with 5 good webmasters can be more beneficial to your business than beng friends with 500 regulars on GFY ;-))

12-14-2005	#4
Sin My program is online. 90 days to MILLIONS! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 1,278	Re: How important is networking to you? Excellent point. __________________ The new way to sell your Exclusive Video!!

12-14-2005	#5
MorganGrayson None $100 for every ImLive sign-up Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,321	Re: How important is networking to you? Let's define "networking" as the "process by which you discover those five good friends" and networking is very important.

12-14-2005	#9
TheEnforcer Scored VIP to Anton's Piss Tank Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,781	Re: How important is networking to you? Well, Nick just summed it up nicely.

12-14-2005	#15
RyanLanane Going Back to My Roots Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,123	Re: How important is networking to you? The last month I have done more networking than I have done since 1998 - It has given me great results. I am not overflowing with work, however it is gradually picking up.. Offering to do a super small $10 project for someone real quick led to me doing a $100 project for them a week later.. I have had one referral come from a prior client so far, that's it - But I talk to my clients find out who they know and then I can approach that person and talk to them casually saying "Name" was talking about you the other day when I was doing some work for him, sounds like you are doing well for yourself.. Which inevtiably leads to, "What were you helping him out with?" __________________ ICQ # 253483920 E-mail : ryan1978@insightbb.com

12-14-2005	#18
Dravyk Easy Like Sunday Morning Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Behind a couch, somewhere in Philly Posts: 7,628	Re: How important is networking to you? Networking (in the sense mentioned, meeting new people) is required when you're starting out in a new industry or in a new area of an industry. Once you've done it for years, you can to some degree layback. Networking in the sense of keeping those connections you have established remains important. __________________ All Of 'Em Mainstream Webmasters New: WebmasterConventions.com

12-15-2005	#19
MorganGrayson None $100 for every ImLive sign-up Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,321	Re: How important is networking to you? Thanks to both selena and Dravyk. Lately, I've gone on a very intense "let's define our terms here" kick that I think could shorten up a lot of "discussions" in other threads.

12-18-2005	#20
Newton It's always business, never personal! The POWER of radio Oprano Radio Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On a golf course Posts: 4,916	Re: How important is networking to you? Networking can be highly lucrative in terms of experience, knowledge and headway made into the business. Do it right and money follows as a natural consequence. __________________ Poser Bush in a mix-up over his hi-tech gizmo - ICLOD

12-19-2005	#21
Stacey_JoinRightNow On InterPol's Wanted List Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 118	Re: How important is networking to you? yeah very much bec. Networking allows for resource sharing (e.g., multiple computers sharing one printer), data sharing, and communication or data exchange and also providing global communication between nodes on government, educational, and industrial networks.