The interest and activity in online social network grows everyday. Is it the perfect introvert networking venue? It could be that both introverts and extroverts alike are finding it leveraging their strengths. Whether you are looking for connections or resources, how does it benefit an introvert?
1. You’ve likely read that online networking gives introverts time to think before we speak, something we tend to prefer. Take that a step further, since we get time to think, we can enhance our already innate ability to make that one-to-one connection. Our networking starts with the relationship first so it’s a benefit to have that minute or two to find out “who” this person is we are replying to or before posting on the wall at Facebook.
2. It’s not necessary to jump into Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and say, MySpace all in one day. You can take in one network at a time. You can create a plan that lets you be in control of how and where you spend your time.
3. Sharing and giving is important in any kind of networking. Since you are already, as an introvert, finding information on topics easily online, when you find an article, white paper or newsworth information to shout about, let people in your network know easily where to find the same information. They’ll thank you for it.
4. Our nature of not being self-revealing is perfectly in place with social networking. On every network you control how much about yourself and to whom you want it to be known. If it weren’t highly considered as an option, it wouldn’t be an option.
5. Take advice from the owners of a popular networking site. In finding too many people violating the “please get to know me first” sales unspoken rule, I emailed that I wanted to stop my membership. They suggested before I do that, just “delete” those offenders from my network. At least the websites I am on, I can “delete” people who want to push, push, push and those people never know it.
Online, even more than in-person social networking, let’s the introvert shine through on their own. As introverts we can seize this time in social networking if we want. It leans heavily on our innate ability.
What do you think about social networking benefiting introverts? How else is it beneficial for us?
What is your natural tendency when it comes to networking, schmoozing? Do you sell and hate it? Take a moment to get honest with yourself when you answer this quick survey.
I definitely believe that social networking has been of great benefit to introverts. I have had the experience of interacting on-line with individuals (includes associates that I consider to be friends) which in a face to face setting the in depth sharing of knowledge and ideas would not have transpired. As a thinker, I too have enjoyed this avenue because it permits me to lay out my thoughts at a pace that I am comfortable with.
Social networking in a business setting is also beneficial as reflected in a book I read “Social Media Marketing” by Dave Evans which highlights the following;
•The “Social Web” represents the awesome “power of the collective.”
• “Social Media” marketing can create vast word-of-mouth advertising – its biggest benefit for marketers.
• “Netizens” – online community members – will talk about your company whether you are online or not, so you cannot ignore online media.
• Unlike traditional marketing, promoting your products and services online via social
media does not involve interrupting – or irritating – an audience.
• Companies often imitate each others’ successful social media marketing strategies.
In summary, organizations need to have social media strategies to meet their business growth objectives. Thus, we as individuals have to be fully engage in social media if we want to enhance our professional skills, gain more overall knowledge and understand a society that considers constant and just in time information as an avenue to success.