Archive for the ‘Networking’ Category

Tell me something useful…

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

“Hi, my name is Cindy, and I’m 24 years old, and my favorite color is pink.”

Well, cindy4fun24… from your basic profile information, we’ve already been able to gather that information. Do you have anything useful to share?

womancomputerMany people on social networking or dating websites fall into the habit of listing arbitrary information that is supposed to give an idea of who they are. Even if someone did falsely assume that they could get to know you by reading a few short paragraphs of supposed “autobiography,” what good will it do to repeat basic information that is already listed? What good does knowing your favorite color do for me?

Listing information like this is not only a waste of time for the author, but also for the person perusing the profile. Much of this information could be obtained simply by having a conversation with someone. Your favorite color or the TV shows you watch tell very little about who you are, anyway.

Instead of playing it safe by filling the space of an “About Me” section with useless information, people should learn to say things that actually will help them meet people they will be compatible with.

If you’re looking for someone who is a non-smoker… say so. If you need to find someone who is into kinky sex…put that in your profile.

Listing things like this that explain what you’re looking for, or why you’ve created the profile at all, will yield much better results. You will attract people who are truly potential matches, and avoid dealing with people who wouldn’t really interest you.

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When should you discard a contact?

Friday, February 20th, 2009

When is the time to take someone out of your network?

A rolodex is valuable not just for the quantity of contacts on it but also for the quality of those contacts. My criteria is very simple: As long as a contact is reliable it stays in. A contact doesn’t need to be likable, doesn’t need to be approved by others, doesn’t need to be a friend, doesn’t need to be in constant connection.

All I really care is that you do what you say and say what you do. Only a reliable contact has high value.

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How to expand your network?

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

For networking you should find a way to be close to that person or, if time allows, become part of the environment by making friendship with his/her friends, becoming a friend or offering something of value to that person’s life, rather than just coming to ask for some favor or business. Network connections created on a basis of friendship and personal admiration will last longer and there is only one way to make friends: Be a friend first.

The best way to build connections is by being helpful to others. To make friends you first have to be a friend. If you try to approach hustling and selling people will keep some distance or avoid you outright.

One very common opportunity to be helpful is when you see an opportunity to introduce your contacts to each other. Introduce them in a social setting. Invite both for the same dinner or night out. Bring them together, and say why you think that was a good idea, then let the chips fall where they may.

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