10 Things You Need to Know About Networking

Work at Home Mom’s businesses thrive on how well they network, in fact anyone who works from homes success depends on it. The essentials in networking are important, so important in fact if you do not learn how to do it, you might as well give up and work offline.

I have compiled a list of the 10 key points you need to know for networking online.

1. Build relationships: People will do business with those they feel comfortable with. People whom they feel they know and can trust. This is a very important key to successful networking. Read about building success relationships at Internet Based Moms.
2. Knowing what SPAM is and NOT doing it: It is amazing how many people SPAM without even realizing that they are. It is very important find out what SPAM is and consequences avoid doing it. Read the definition of SPAM and its consequences.
3. Don’t bogart (that is steal) someone’s potential client/customer, articles or ideas: Don’t jump into a conversation between two people if it looks like someone may be landing a sale, client or other.  Don’t steal a great idea for an article or a project, it’s not good business. Doing anything this distasteful will get you know where fast as words of people conducting themselves in this manner spreads fast.  Shouldn’t We Be Able To Trust Each Other? is a wonderful article speaking on such topic.
4. Find niche forums, groups and networks that fit your business: Find forums and groups that are in your niche. You would not go to a craft community and try to join in and sell information products, right?
5. Sharing only links or ads will get you nowhere: This is an ever growing issue and it’s an issue people need to understand. Showing up in communities and plastering you links is tacky, sometimes is spam and not taking seriously, period and will get you banned.
6. Always join in discussions of interest and knowledge: Allows get in on conversations you can add to, whether it is personal or business. If you have words of advice share them. This helps people get to know you as well as shows them what you know. This is part of building a relationship and trust.
7. Be respectful: Always show respect to others in the way you post. Follow the community’s rules.
8. Honesty is the Best Policy: Never lie about what you know or can do to get a sale. Always, Always be honest. People also spread the word about honest business owners.
9. Be helpful: If there is something you can offer to help others do it. If there is a need for a moderator on a forum or group you love, do it if you have time. If you have knowledge someone needs by all means share it.
10. Always be yourself: Don’t compare yourself with other Work at Home Moms, just be yourself that is truly appealing to others.

photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com