Jan
17
Communication is the backbone of online social networking.
In my post of November 11th I discussed the “High Tech/High Touch” concept, and on November 13th I discussed different forms of communication and “the asynchronous nature of social networking sites”.
According to the principle of “High Tech/High Touch” we need more rather than less intimate communication in these digital times.
Social networking sites present us with excellent tools to communicate asynchronously through commenting, messaging, posting bulletins and posting blogs.
There are new advances almost daily, but social networking sites still only partially address our need to relate more intimately in real time through synchronous channels such as instant messaging, telephony, video and face-to-face meetings.
To network more successfully, get more personal!
One thing that might hold you back is a concern for your personal security, especially if you’re a woman, and even more so if you’re a single woman. I will suggest several ways to mitigate this concern.
You could also be uncomfortable getting closer to a certain individual (hopefully not me LOL). Rely on your instincts and intuition. Exercise good judgment — but don’t be overly paranoid.
Here are my favorite ways to ensure a modicum of privacy while taking communication to the next level. They complement networking on any site.
- Get a headset with a microphone for US$20 or so, and download Skype to your computer. Skype lets you talk for free and anonymously to other users all over the world. It also permits small conference calls. With a headset both of your hands will be free to operate your computer or to take notes.
- Give out your cell phone number. You’ll enjoy the convenience of speaking anytime anywhere without revealing your full name or your address. Some disadvantages of using your cell phone are that you might incur cost and that you may receive annoying calls from time to time. You must decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.
- Get your own free conference number and PIN. You and your friend can call in at the same time to speak. If it’s your conference line, you can be sure that there’s no way to capture your phone number. The main down side here is that this protects you but not the other person.
- Install Trillian on your computer. Trillian lets you instant message people on Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and AIM all from one program. Instant messaging is not as good as talking, but it’s real time and interactive — definitely a step in the right direction.
- Starbucks anybody?
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Hi Larry,
Great topic today, and you’re so very correct!
In fact I might go a little further to say that if people aren’t communicating with other marketers, if they aren’t networking and strategizing with others, learning from others, and teaching others, they are really limiting their success.
Personally I can’t imagine being without my Gmail chat (yes even Google has a chat program now, it’s simple and rudimentary, but still very accessible). Anywhere you can get online and login to your Gmail account, and you’re in touch.
Skype is another one, but as a feature rich platform it’s quite powerful and the additional beauty is it’s cross platform. You can call landline telephones and for CHEAP! as well as talk to other skyper’s for free! You can run in video mode, voice and video, voice only, and text only. Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger are also quite useful and actually precursors to programs like Skype.
I use conference rooms to gather larger groups from my membership site, and that is terrific in doing presentations etc.
But Larry. Starbucks? You forget we Canadians have our Tim Horton’s (besides that name has a nice “ring” to it
But if you insist, I’ll be down in Atlanta on Jan. 26th & 27th attending Keith Wellman & Gary Ambrose’s marketing conference with my lovely wife Patricia. (another VERY important method of networking..like how I slipped that one in?)
My personal preference is in person and either over the phone or voice chat. Not only is it easier for me to converse (cuz I don’t have to hunt peck & backspace when I talk), but I am constantly multitasking and can talk as I’m doing other stuff, so I’m “leveraging” my time.
So..Starbucks it is if you’re by any chance making your way down for the conference. If not, I’ll catch you on the phone or skype (you can have my id by request)
Thanks Tim for taking the time to post a great comment.
In my post I omitted mention of two of my agendas: simplicity and ubiquity.
These are both factors in my approach to problems.
I don’t believe that I’ll be in Atlanta to see you, but the phone has worked and will work for us
You are definitely right about needed more communication via the digital age.
Sometimes I feel as if I don’t really know anyone I’ve met online.
I’ve been thinking about getting a head set and Skype for awhile now, and I just joined a new business online so I think it would be a great asset for me.
Thanks for the post, it was great!
Hi Larry!!:)
Thanks so much for sharing with us your Beautiful Blog.It definitely helps us on the networking,specially with referrals and oftentimes,i get too careful from sending my personal information to some people from knowing more about me.I’m single parent and i thought i only need to be careful at times.But not to a point where i’m feeling symptom of a paranoia…i’m not.Skype is a good venue for meeting new friends specially the site is mostly for business conversations…at times we can be upfront no problem…no talks about spaming…unlike in the Social Interaction sites…but not with our Yuwie friends…all are good friends and accomodating ones.Like you, Larry:)
Takecare & God Bless You
Beth
thanks for the great info
How about using a VOIP service and get your own DID number? You have your own number and it’s also cheap to call, like Skype (some plans are even free if you call to the same area where you’re at)
That’s a good idea Michael as long as the DID number is unpublished.
I think the main issue here is one’s personal security rather than the cost of the call. People, especially women, and even more so single women, are afraid of being harassed or stalked.