Small Business | Forum « Ideas for Getting the most out of the Networking Club

Ideas for Getting the most out of the Networking Club (22 posts)

Topic tags: guidelines, networking club

Jim Fierce said
1 year, 5 months ago:
I am very excited to be a part of Social Media Examiner Networking Club.and am finding it to be a great way to network with like minded individuals. I was just wondering what you think are some “Out of the Box” ways we can use this club to help our businesses (or personal lives) grow and expand.
Thank you Social Media Examiner for this awesome idea!!!! I am now able to network with people whom I probably would have never met before.
@fierce_living | # | Top
Michael Stelzner said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@fierce_living
Great question Jim!
Now is good chance to connect with folks while the network is small and in beta. Once we open it up in January it is likely to explode.
A few more thoughts:
- We will be looking for active participants to take on public roles as moderators. So being helpful will go a long way towards that goal.
- Eventually we will be launching more clubs and will be looking for club leaders and moderators of those as well…
- Social Media Examiner has a VERY high Google page rank. So you’ll want to include a link to your company or blog in your bio.
I am curious to hear how others either are or plan on using the Networking Clubs.
@mike-stelzner | # | Top
Al Remetch said
1 year, 5 months ago:
Already I’m discovering information I would have never been exposed to without this fantastic club. I’m also learning what people don’t know. I think I will have some good info to share after the first of the year.My expertise is local SEO and in today’s environment by default that is going to include social marketing. I work in the trenches hands on with this stuff and may have a unique perspective to share.My prediction is that Google Plus is going to explode this year but probably not in the same trajectory as Facebook. I think for some Google will carry more of a supporting role rather than a Facebook type of social role. Google will be instrumental in social authority which will translate to SEO and rankings in the search results.Google’s live air add on to the hangouts is likely to be a real game changer.
@alremetch | # | Top
Don Purdum said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@fierce_living @mike-stelzner
Great question!
I have taken approach with new “Friends” of trying to personalize it with private messages, and connect with them on the Facebook Like pages.
Additionally, asking questions and gaining feedback is really good. I feel if I contribute value to a conversation, it will increase my exposure for me and my business.
Finally, starting a post is a great way to connect with people. It allows you more perceived value! That’s just an opinion.
@donpurdum | # | Top
Rich Brooks said
1 year, 5 months ago:
@donpurdum @fierce_living @alremetch @mike-stelzner
I see this forum different than some other discussion areas like FB pages or LI groups. While it may evolve over time, I see this more as a place to hang out w/other professionals who want to talk about how social media can grow their business.
Yes, it’s about marketing and branding yourself, but for me, this is more of a place to learn and share ideas more than anything else.
Of course, it’s going to be different for everyone, and I’m sure it will evolve over time. I don’t use Twitter, FB or LI the way I used to…and I’m sure this forum will change as more people join the conversation.
Glad I was one of the first ones in!
@rich-brooks | # | Top
Valerie Joy Deveza said
1 year, 5 months ago:
For me this is a place to hangout when I just wanted to listen on other peoples concerns. By listening here, I’m able to list down topics for my blog. weee! pretty neat!
Its also a place where I learn new things and get to know new friends.
I’m really glad I’m one of the early users. :)
@valeriejoydeveza | # | Top
Katie Cavanaugh said
1 year, 4 months ago:
I’m with you @valeriejoydeveza! The SME Clubs are content rich conversations and we can all benefit by connecting and communicating. Real people, real dialog, real life stuff to continue talking about to our sphere of influence. Weee is right!
@katiecavanaugh | # | Top
Darrell Ellens said
1 year, 4 months ago:
My goal to start off with is to read as many posts and discussions as possible. I really want to get a feel for the group. Knowing what other people have written is a good way of breaking the ice and forming relationships. I have already found many discussions that are of interest to me.
You might also say it’s a back stage pass to meet so many talented people in a very relaxed atmosphere. I agree with Rich, a place to hang out, and yet a specific question will get you all the answers you need.
@darrellellens | # | Top
Frederic Gonzalo said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@fierce_living @mike-stelzner
Having only joined the SME clubs recently (yesterday), I can certainly see the breadth and depth of conversations going on in the three clubs – Facebook, Blogging, Small Business. So I have no doubt the clubs are poised for success. Lots of info in there, once you swift through it all. Kudos for the initiative! But…
My biggest concern regards what will happen once this network goes public. As Mike Stelzner said, it is likely to explode. Already, I find there are lots of topics to follow in each club, it’s tough to follow everything going on.
How will SME clubs differentiate themselves from Linkedin groups? Personally, I find there are a few LI groups I still follow, where folks are focused and the moderator is on the ball. But I stopped following many others because of the spamming or straight-out sales pitches that were going on.
I trust SME clubs will have stricter rules of entry, and that the code of conduct will be enforced. At the end of the day, it’s all members who benefit from focused conversations and exchanges.
Note: I would be more than happy to moderate an upcoming club that deals with social media in my field of expertise, hospitality all things related to travel & tourism: airlines, hotels, restaurants, attractions, resorts, lodging, etc.
Cheers,
Frederic
@fredericgonzalo | # | Top
Evanthia Rodriguez said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@fierce_living Yes, great question Jim! I’m with you @katiecavanaugh @valeriejoydeveza Great content rich conversation going on here, so fortunate to be a part of this great group I am learning so much from all of you. Yay!
@evanthiajewelrydesign | # | Top
Valerie Joy Deveza said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@evanthiajewelrydesign that’s nice to hear. same here! I’m learning a lot from peeps here so as much as possible I’m trying my best to help too.
@valeriejoydeveza | # | Top
Glyn Berrington said
1 year, 4 months ago:
It will be interesting to see how this evolves I see it has a place to learn and get new ideas and answers to questions (not tried this yet as it’s early days) I also hope it will be a place to network and help each other with ideas and promotions for mutual benefits.
@spudty | # | Top
Jim Fierce said
1 year, 4 months ago:
I am learning a lot and making some great contacts. I still have to figure out the best way to make use of this opportunity and learn the ins and outs of the site. It’s going to open up some doors for all of us I’m sure.
@fierce_living | # | Top
Rana Shahbaz said
1 year, 4 months ago:
Totally agreed with @darrellellens that : a specific question will get you all the answers you need.
To me this club is interesting because of the following reasons:
1. Excellent opportunity to network & partner with like minded professionals2. Find solutions to SMM related questions
Atmosphere here is so supportive, which is a real bonus.
What specifically are you looking from this club?
@rshahbaz | # | Top
Kathy Weir said
1 year, 4 months ago:
It will be a great forum to see how other small businesses are using social media or other forms of marketing. It’s nice to post a question and receive answers from different business owners representing different areas of the country.
@kathyweir | # | Top
Jo Martin said
1 year, 4 months ago:
Hi, to me this is almost like a mix of a forum and Facebook because it appears already to be way more socially interacting than a usual forum, (well, any social media forums I have been a part of, anyway), but it also has the ability to ask questions, give answers, get opinions, like in a regular forum.
Being able to mix with like minded people is the most amazing motivator and I feel totally privileged to be a part of these networking clubs! Thank you!!
@jomartin | # | Top
Beth Novick said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@mike-stelzner NO! Don’t go public! This is such a happy little place. We’re growing (I know that’s important, Mike), but can’t it just be word of mouth, like a good restaurant that we don’t want reviewed in the paper? I promise to only share our secret place with those who are worthy.
@bethnovick | # | Top
Frederic Gonzalo said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@bethnovick I agree with you, and I share your fear regarding the quality of this networking environment once it goes public. Already, it’s only in beta version, and it’s got more than 1,000 members. Simply with word-of-mouth, it will grow organically and we can see there are already lots of topics and discussions threads going on the 3 clubs.
But hey, the folks at Social Media Examiner are pretty good at what they do, so I trust their judgment on this one. I do hope the quality of discussion won’t get buried under the quantity…
Cheers,
Frederic
@fredericgonzalo | # | Top
Beth Novick said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@fredericgonzalo I don’t question the judgement of the great people at SME….it’s everyone else out there!! Be afraid, be very afraid.
@bethnovick | # | Top
Frederic Gonzalo said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@bethnovick I hear ya! It’s also what I was alluding to in my earlier reply (see thread above) as I have experienced that with LinkedIn groups which were, at first, very fruitful, but soon turned sour because either moderator was not on the ball, people were spamming with sales pitches, or both.
I trust SME people will most likely be more proactive in adressing such situations, if and when they occur. Time will tell, I guess. Let’s stay positive, right, it’s a New Year!
@fredericgonzalo | # | Top
Beth Novick said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@fredericgonzalo LinkedIn was exactly what I was thinking about, too. I only started participating on LI last year and I sure don’t see many “discussions” going on. Just lots of people promoting themselves and TONS of spam.
@bethnovick | # | Top
Durk Barton said
1 year, 4 months ago:
I guess I’m just one of those fierce optimists. I can see only good coming from grouping serious professional-minded individuals in a mutually beneficial and productively directed venue or setting. The fact is that the nature of work, business and commerce is taking a profound shift in paradigm. Those visionaries who can, “blood hound”, out the direction of change probably are the ones to follow. Yes, the numbers will likely balloon as soon as the, “unwashed masses”, sic, get the drift. The real concern is with the nature of the quality of the early adopters. To be first in line may seem the most delirable condition. However, there is a most definate caveat that comes with it. You can call it the, “pioneer syndrome”, it takes the form of great responsibility. To sum; can the ones go ahead in the lead cooperate and create the modal for further advancement. I hope that interaction and commerce amongst club members is not seen as too di reguir, (offensive), for in the end the yardstick by which the world measures success is ones ability to survive and grow.
@durkbarton | # | Top