I think online networking is the best thing that has happened on Internet in last few years. I see several benefits of networking and spending time to meet new people and build professional and personal relationships.
• You can make new friends in new places.
• Someone might be of great help to you in a given situation. You never know.
• If someone cannot help, they might know someone who can help. They can simply connect you to the right person.
• You might get references for business and professional engagements if you can build a trust relationship and prove your expertise. We all know that word-of-mouth publicity is the best advertising. It is most influential and cost almost nothing. Most of the times networking is the only way to reach a particular person to discuss a proposal.
• You can get feedback on your idea, plan or work from different people with different point of views.
• You learn by sharing knowledge and experience. This can be done on a 1-2-1 basis or in a knowledge forum where people with same interest can discuss on a given topic.
• You can create mastermind groups where members discuss individual problems and help each other achieve their goals.
• You can help others. It is a great feeling to be of help to others. It makes you feel purposeful.
I have seen several online social networking websites. The ones which I liked the most are:
• Ecademy (No doubt the best business social networking website on Internet)
• LinkedIn (A great fan following and very good selection of people to connect to)
• Facebook (Looks like a decent social networking website – I really do not have much experience on this platform to make a firm comment)
BTW, I keep traveling between Kolkata, Chennai and London for business and will love to meet people who feel that I can be of help to them. Please write me a small note with your area of interest and I will get back to you.
May you have a million connections!
Abhishek