What is a social circle and how do you define who should be in your circle of influence?

There are a few different kinds.. Marketing, Social, Tribes, Mastermind groups and the like. They are usually groups, where people are in action, they help each other, support each other and sometimes there is a leader that guides them along. Plus, everyone has there own Social Circle of 150+ people, these people are in your social network.

In creating your own Social Circle use your address book, or e-mail address book. I’ve set up categories/groups like Construction Services; Health; Marketing; Financial; Professional; Artists; list the categories that are important to you. As you connect to people put them into your groups – this way you can stay in touch with them, send them news that may interest them, resources, services which are different ways to keep in touch with people. I

I started putting people in groups of where I met them, like LinkedIn, Facebook, BranchOut, I realized later this was not working for me. You need to narrow down your connections further to really be a Trusted Agent or a Connector. This is how you can build your reputation, so people will like, trust and want to do business with you.

With websites like Linkedin, Facebook, Ning and other services it is easier than ever to network online. Unfortunately, most people don’t network. Here are some quick and easy tips to ensure successful networking online.

1) Your number one goal is to get your suspects to look at your blog/website or your profile. Make it clean and easy to understand. Avoid flashy graphics. When people come to your site they’ll only take a few seconds to decide if they want to engage with you. Like leaving a comment after they read your post, or fill in your call to action for a report or newsletter or contact form.

2) Use advanced search features like on LinkedIn, you can have up to three saved searches and they will be e-mailed to you. Or Ryze that allow company searches. If you are networking do the search for people that you want to connect with.

3) Put your website URL inside your profile name. It should be “John Doe www.mywebsite.com” When you do this, then every time you post it on a message board or guestbook, people will see your URL and possibly visit your website.

4) Start a group on Facebook or Linkedin  and become the expert. People will see you as a leader. It also gives you an easy reason to contact others. Simply say, “Hello, I just started the XYZ group. Would you like to visit it?” It’s an easy conversation starter.

5) Don’t use the spam bots. There are other tools for adding people quickly in your group. If people know it’s a machine they will delete it as spam. Who wants to be friends with a spammer?

6) Don’t send friend requests too quickly. People don’t like push aggressive people. Exchange a few conversations first. Don’t give a sales pitch, develop a relationship with them, share tips get to know them as a person.

7) Look at their profile and ask them something about their expertise, be sincere.

8) Network in groups. Find your favorites – something that interests you, like a hobby, a business and community based one. Be active in the group. If people like what you say, they’ll extend an invite or want to get to know you.

9) Don’t spam out a business opportunity to your friends. Don’t add someone as a friend and turn around and give them a sales pitch. Instead give them a soft welcome message. Ask them if there is something you can help them with. Send out helpful articles and tips that you have found.

10) If someone calls you to try to get to know them, give then some time. Don’t just brush them off. You never know what a great relationship or networking partner you could have. Facebook is about having friends not just doing business.

11) When you set up a Facebook business page share helpful tips and ask questions. Don’t plaster your opportunity on everyone else’s wall.

12) Check out Alignable it’s a business social network where people can ask and answer questions for local businesses. Based on your zip code.  We enable users to share their business through networking, deciding, exploring and creating quality business content.

13) MeetUp Groups are about doing something, learning something, sharing something or changing something. It’s just isn’t about business any more. It’s the largest network of local groups. They have 7.2 million members. A great place to network on and offline.

14) LinkedIn is another place to find friends, leads and connections. YOu can do a category, company or connection search to find people that you would like to meet. The groups is where you really can get to know someone.

15) Facebook of course are good for business pages as well as your personal friends profile. And you can join groups on Facebook or start your own as well.

16) Twibes is a group format using your Twitter connections. On Twitter I have met many people offline, so it’s nice to meet people off line as well.

How to Reactivate Your Network During the Summer

Summertime is usually a downtime for business but you shouldn’t stop networking. Take advantage of this quiet period to be creative and network in a different way by reactivating your contacts. 

Since there are less events and people have more free time, use this opportunity to invite people for a social happy hour or join groups that you never joined before. It’s a good time to explore new opportunities to meet new people in new environments for new leads. Continue to read more by subscribing to our newsletter.