Networking has moved online, and businesspeople are connecting globally and locally to create client relationships and expand into new geographies. Here are the essential tools for jumping into the virtual business network: LINKEDIN Basic membership in LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is free, and gets you connected to members around the world. One great LinkedIn feature is the Colleagues function that lets you reconnect with people you've worked with over the years. WORLDWIT WorldWIT is a the free, global online community for professional women (men are welcome, too) that provides member-to-member answers on career, business, technology, financial and "life" topics. A membership in any local WorldWIT community (like ChicWIT in Chicago or BritWIT in London) lets you reach thousands of businesspeople to get answers to anything that's on your plate or on your mind. WorldWIT chapters have live events, too. (Full disclosure: I lead this group.)www.worldwit.org FRAPPR Visit www.frappr.com - a cool online map site - to find people in your area to connect with, and to create maps of your own for coworkers, people in your network, or members of alumni groups or association. You can attach a photo and a "shout-out" to your "pin" on the map - check it out! YAHOOGROUPS Yahoogroups is the granddaddy of online networking tools, and as simple as it is, the site connects millions of people on zillions of topics. Email groups on marketing, web design, or any other imaginable subject connect practitioners and newbies to share knowledge and advice. www.yahoogroups.com. Get online, jump in, and start networking! |
