I field a lot of questions about online networking because of my work training people on how to network in the "real world".  Because online networking is such a new phenomena (the huge web site LinkedIn for example, is only 5 years old), I’m not always as much help as I would like to be.  Even though I know that there are some similarities between online and offline networking, there are some differences that hold the key to effectiveness.

I was pretty jazzed, therefore, to find Seven Days to Online Networking on the new arrivals shelf at the library.  It was a good primer on some of the forms of online networking – especially the social networks like the aforementioned LinkedIn, but there wasn’t a lot of revolutionary new information.  I have been pretty involved in online networking the past few years, so it was mostly just review of what I already knew.  Also it was written by two career coaches which means that it has a definite job seeker and recruiter emphasis.

Ideas, Implications, and Questions: 

• Ellen and Diane touch on it briefly in the book, but one of the critical keys to effective online networking is being a competent writer.  Just like people develop opinions of you based on your appearance at a networking event, so too is your ability to write your “first impression” in the online world.  You don’t have to be Shakespeare or Whitman, just make sure that you can spell and use correct grammar (I know you’re going to peruse this article and find all my mistakes now).  If your writing skills aren’t up to snuff, don’t rule out online networking, but start working to improve them, because the online world isn’t going away anytime soon.
• That being said, online networking can be a huge opportunity if you feel you are better behind the keyboard than in person.  If you aren’t as confident with your interpersonal skills, developing an Internet presence can be a very effective tool. 
• LinkedIn is a useful site, although I haven’t found it as useful for small businesses as it might be for those in a more corporate setting.  No matter what your role, it’s definitely worth investing time creating a fully fleshed out profile and at least a basic network.  One great aspect of a LinkedIn profile is that you can use it as an online resume/bio if you don’t have a web site.  Send it to your potential clients (that’s my own idea that I would add to the book).
• Ellen and Diane mention this, and I want to emphasize it – you have to spend time maintaining your online networking presence.  It can be as little as 30 minutes a week, depending on what you are doing.  Take a specific part of your day or week to update your profiles, send emails, write on your blog, or comment on other people’s blogs.
• A useful tip I pulled out was to make my online name more distinct (because in my case there are a lot of David Fishers online).  That’s why I use my initials in everything online – David J.P. Fisher.  Do a Google search on your name, see what comes up.  How can you be on the first page of Google?
• They devote a chapter to using blogs to develop your online presence.  If you just want to blog about your thoughts or what happened in your day, go for it – but don’t think of that as online networking.  For your blog to be effective as a networking tool, you have to ask yourself a few questions first. 1)Do you have something that people want to read about (really, don’t let your ego take over)?  2)Are you willing to put in the effort to promote the blog and get people to read it (there are an astronomical number of blogs written – but how many are read)?  3)Can you put forth the consistent effort to maintain the blog and keep it updated with fresh material? 

Should you read this book?

Maybe.  It is a good overview of the online networking scene as it exists right now (it keeps changing and evolving).  If you are a newbie and you don’t know where to start, I recommend this book to give you a grasp of the landscape.  If you have some experience already, you probably aren’t going to come out with much more than you already have – you could spend 20 minutes surfing blog posts and come up with the same tips.