Online Networking vs. In-Person Networking
Posted By Chris Mello - July 21st, 2008
Networking is the name of the game in any business. Any type of business is built on networking yourself and your company every single day. I make networking such a priority that is takes up almost half of my work day.Up until Affiliate Summit Boston in August all of my networking was been over the phone or online. Online networking was at its best 1 1/2 weeks ago with the online expo. It was a virtual online conference and I had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of affiliates in the comfort of my office. It was great because you could contact hundreds of people at a time. If I had a connection with a person I could continue to talk with and set up a follow up after the show. If I didn’t have a connection with someone I could just not answer back to them and quickly move on to the next one. All in all it was a worth while experience.The next major networking event for me will be Affiliate Summit Boston in August. I have heard this is going to not only be a major event to build my clientele but a lot of fun in the process. I will be able to meet a lot of affiliates I have been talking with over the last few months face to face. As well as a ton of new prospects. The great thing about in-person networking is an affiliate can meet the real Chris Mello. I feel I can make a real connection with people in-person and make a much more solid relationship.So my question to you affiliates: “Is it better for you (Affiliate) to meet someone like me (an Affiliate Mgr.) in-person?” or “Do you feel more comfortable just networking online?” In-person you get the benefit of meeting face to face and get a good sense of the person. Networking online you don’t get the in-person connection but you can potentially meet a lot more people at one time.So what do you think Affiliates? Face to face or over the web?Talk to me,Chris Mello
July 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I think both are necessary. As you mentioned in your post, online allows efficiency to meet more people. Face to Face closes the deal.