I know I do, sometimes.
I think of the desperate-for-fame college students who actively look for cool or trendy events in DC where they can meet the city's socialites and shakers-and-movers. Then I think about them bragging to their friends over a cup of coffee about how they attended Capitol City Ball (tickets available for purchase) and other events that don't require personal invitations, membership, and aren't really that exclusive.
All these reasons and more and why I enjoyed this article on Myths about Networking. What so many people tend to forget is that networking is another word for building real, personal relationships. It's not how many people you know, but how well you know them and how well they know you and would be willing to help you. You can go to all the parties, events, and galas that you want, but all you're looking for are superficial relationships then you will soon find that you are out of luck and a networking failure.
Networking is about listening and caring and fostering relationships of mutual goodwill so that people will want to lend you a hand when you need one. It can be done online on sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn but you also need to take these conversations offline and into a coffee shop or a restaurant for lunch. Remember, just because we're all online doesn't mean we have to stay there.
Networking is a great tool, just make sure that you aren't acting like one.
I agree that facebook can be used for a completely professional use, but I feel it is way more superficial. I think the potential is there, but people do not take fully advantage of it. People's choice I guess.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agreed! I think you are able to establish an acquaintance on a social networking site but if you don't make REAL (as in face-to-face-chat-over-coffee) contact the acquaintance will never develop into a friendship or anything that will be of mutually satisfaction. Although, there are times that you meet some wonderful, fun person just once at a party, keep in contact with them on Facebook afterwards and suddenly they become your greatest confidant. Of course, when that happens the conection is reafirmed by a meeting in a coffee shop. Nothing like a warm cappucino and a flowing conversation to build up a friendship, is there? :)
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