Mediaboss Marketing

Do you prefer to network online or face-to-face?

Before you answer, think deeply. Remember how Dale Carnegies world-famous sales book from 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People, demystified the process of making friends out of strangers and inspired legions of business coaches to carry on Carnegies message?

Nothing beats face-to-face meetings, nothing. Business dealings are just better presented in person. Networking is also best in person. But that doesnt mean that online networking isnt valuable.

Online networking is a powerful tool to use in your arsenal.

Lets break down the definitions of business networking and social media networking.

According to Wikipedia, business networking is a socioeconomic activity by which groups of like-minded business people recognize, create or act upon business opportunities. A business network is a type of social network, whose reason for existing is business activity. Business networking organizations create models of networking activity that, when followed, allow the business person to build new business relationships and generate business opportunities.

Business networking can be conducted on a larger scale via the Internet, which easily connects people from all over the world.

Social media networking, by my definition, is quite similar, but it has a couple major distinctive differences. Online is current, it is in real time, and it can be greatly influenced immediately by public opinion. However, online shouldnt be the only tool we use, because sometimes its simply not the best one.

For me, the bottom line regarding face-to-face networking versus online networking is that I dont think it should be an either-or scenario; I think it should be a both-and scenario if you want to build a strong personal network.

Effective social media branding requires a unique voice and personality and knowledge of the various social platforms. I am certain, as I have done it for my business and clients, that one can leverage social media marketing such as Facebook into real-time sales.

Read this article:
How Does Social Networking Lead To Real-Time Sales?