BDPA Cincinnati * 'The Art of Social Networking' (Oct 2009)

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The Art of Social Networking

Wayne Hicks

wayne@elecvillage.com(513) 284-4968

BDPA

BDPA Cincinnati * 'The Art of Social Networking' (Oct 2009)

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…fellow traveler

• CEO, Hicks Enterprises• Past President, National

BDPA• Past President, BDPA

Cincinnati Chapter• Executive Director, BDPA

Education & Technology Foundation

• Passionate about positive growth for our people

BDPA Cincinnati * 'The Art of Social Networking' (Oct 2009)

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Networking: What Is It?

1. NETWORKING is a series of communication links of personal contacts for advice, referrals, and information to help you identify job opportunities

2. Each of these contacts has his or her own network of people who can ultimately be tapped

3. Networking simply means the entire circle of relationships you have, excluding no one

4. Networking is dynamic, ever-changing; not a one-time task but an ongoing process to the develop the skill.

Over 80% of jobs are found through networking

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Networking: Be Prepared

1. Attending a function, what do you want to get out of the function in terms of networking; also, what are you willing to give

2. Be committed and determined to do whatever it takes; networking requires patience and commitment

3. Be honest and respect confidentiality4. Choose members based on information not position and

treat those in the network as equals5. Don’t be afraid to ask; utilize your resources6. Don’t waste your resources; focus your needs and use

when necessary7. Express appreciation8. Give without expectation9. Set realistic and achievable goals

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Building Your NetworksAnalyze your skills and assets; divide your life into categories, list people in each categories• Work/Business fellow employees business clients

• Family/Inner Circle extended family friends of family members

• Social/Professional Organizations fellow members

• Friends• Other (i.e., casual acquaintances: commute, exercise)

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Analyze Your Network

Understand what you want from your networks; what are your goals? My goal in the next six months is: My goal in the next year is: My goal in the next five years is: The most important kinds of support I need now are:

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Benefits of Networking

1. Networking has become a hiring point; U.S. Labor Department cites that 80% of the jobs come from networking

2. Information/knowledge are power; provide facts to encourage time/money savings activities; cross-fertilize professional knowledge

3. Networking will keep competitive businesses in business and determine profitability

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Four Components of Networking

Networkers are Aware• Existing networks

• Human nature to assist and ask for help

• Unlimited nature of their network

Networkers have Helpful Attitudes

• Be positive

• Be sincere

• Extend yourself

Networkers hone their communication skills

• complete messages

• Accurate messages

• Listens intensely

Networkers develop relationship-building habits

• Considerate• Respectful• Caring• Honest & Trustworthy

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Social Networks

• Social Networking Matters – leverage social networks by highlighting your accomplishments & personal experiences

• Know Yourself, Build Your Brand – know what you bring to the table

• Give Back – Volunteer with local BDPA chapter or lead a chapter committee helps build your network and your reputation.

• Know Your Target – use the Internet to reach potential employers, employees and get bonafide leads

• Keep Going – Continue to hunt; keep your brand alive; publish tomorrow’s article

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Is Social Media for You?

• One of the biggest misconceptions with online marketing is that social media is only for large brands. Truthfully, a small business that invests its time wisely can improve customer (or client) loyalty and traditional word of mouth marketing efforts.

• Social media is useful for almost every type of business. Cafes, retail stores, and even professional services can build their online reputation and increase trust. By taking advantage of social media, businesses can make themselves more accessible, more personable, and maintain long term connections. For a small business looking to increase referrals, social media can be a powerful tool.

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Internet UsersInternet Users

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Internet UsersInternet Users

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Internet ActivitiesInternet Activities

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Social Networks

• LinkedIn Network – www.linkedin.com

• GroupSite – http://bdpa.groupsite.com

• Facebook – http://www.facebook.com

• Twitter – www.twitter.com/BDPA

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Do You Have a Blog?• Building and writing a blog may be time consuming, but it creates a

way to connect with users on your own website.

• Additionally, creating useful content such as how-tos or industry insights can keep customers engaged.

• For business owners that don’t have the resources to update their blog regularly or can’t think of what they’d write, I suggest building a “Connect” page. A connect page, or social hub, offers readers a way to find your business’ most active profiles and join you on those social sites. The page could also include a short bio or how you use each social site.

• Giving consumers a reason to visit your site is extremely important. A blog or social hub can pull consumers to your site and into the sales funnel.

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ALL ABOUT:

• Mainly used for professional networking

• 43 million registered users, spanning 170 industries

• “Gated-trust model" – Contact with any professional requires a

preexisting relationship or 2nd degree introduction

– Intended to build trust among the service's users

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Top Ten LinkedIn Network Tips

• Register your business and personal email addresses.

• Take the tour. • Fill in your full name and

nickname. • Fill in your profile. • Join any applicable

groups.• Browse connections for

people you know.

• Find contacts related to your most recent employer.

• Add more contacts using LinkedIn’s toolbar for Outlook.

• Add contacts for whom you know their email addresses.

• Add contacts for whom you do not know their email addresses.

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Facebook Ain’t Just for Kids!

• 250 million active users worldwide• Another major social site to target is Facebook. Creating

a Fan Page is simple, but truly utilizing it to its fullest potential takes some guidance.

• A Fan Page allows a business to visualize and build a community, similar to Twitter. However, unlike Twitter, you can add and customize a great deal more.

• At the very least a business should update their Fan Page “status” to keep consumers informed and engaged.

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Why is Twitter a Big Win?1. 3rd largest social network

2. It connects you with your consumers in real-time via the web, desktop applications, and even mobile.

3. Finding a way to offer value while humanizing the business can lead to a stronger following and increased word of mouth marketing.

4. With Twitter, business owners are able to cater to their consumer’s needs instantaneously. In a world where everything needs to be done yesterday, a quick response can create a lifelong customer.

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Ten Networking Turn-Offs1. Being insincere2. Being lazy with relationships3. Constant or overselling4. Getting too personal too quickly5. Hogging the limelight6. Magically appearing business cards7. Making insincere/shallow comments8. Taking people/things for granted9. Talking incessantly10.Treating people like chopped liver

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Ten Traits of a Master Networker

1. Consistent2. Create possibilities3. Givers and Receivers4. Hone their recall skills5. Know their goals6. Laser Listeners7. Make connections 8. Organized9. Responsive 10.Self-Aware

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Reading List1. Networking for Dummies

– By Donna Fisher

2. Power Networking:59 Secrets for Personal and Professional Success

– By Donna Fisher, Marilyn Hermance, and Sandy Vilas

3. Success Runs In Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African-American Community

– By George Fraser with Les Brown

4. Women for Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job– Tory Johnson, Robyn Spizman, and Lindsey Pollak

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Brand & MarketingBETF YouTube Channel metrics

– http://www.youtube.com/villager42

Blog - http://betf.blogspot.com (Best Business Blog; 2009 Black Weblog Awards) - http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com – Electronic Village

Facebook Page – 802 fans– http://www.facebook.com/pages/BDPA-Foundation/13734387198

GroupSite – 1983 subscribers– http://bdpa.groupsite.com

Twitter – 860 followers– http://twitter.com/BDPA

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Questions

Wayne Hicks, Executive Director

Phone: (513) 284-4968

Twitter: BDPA

Blog: http://betf.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/waynehicks