Savor the Success - Business Network for women entrepreneurs

Many of you were interested in my success using Twitter to find new readers for Sarahcentric. It seems that most people advise to just jump in and start "Tweeting".  That's how I did it and it has definitely paid off.  I've made some great relationships with my followers and those whom I follow.  It has paid off with lots of comments on my blog, additions to their blogrolls and more Sarahcentric RSS subscriptions.  One of my twitter pals, Susan Piver, had this to say in her blog about Twitter the other day...

If you haven’t already, start following people on Twitter. I love Twitter. Someone coined a phrase to describe it: “ambient intimacy” and that is just right. Twitter is an online instant message service with the world. You find people and start “following” them. Millions of people are chatting with each other 24/7—but only in 140 character increments which is what Twitter limits you to, so no one can get overly verbose. It’s like a cocktail party that’s always going on and it enables you to get and give some human contact whenever you want. And disappear when you want.

I love this description because it talks about the human connection on Twitter which I believe is key to making it work for you.  It's not enough to Tweet a designated amount of times a day advertising your career accomplishments.  The fact is everyone on Twitter seems to be some sort of entrepreneur.  In orer to stand out, you have to make an effort within those 140 characters to be a person as well, willing to really connect with others...in 140 characters.  Follow me and see http://twitter.com/sarjack

My nieces and family friends at their annual Cape Cod networking event.

I think this is key with ANY social networking.  From a business stand-point we all know that it's not really an option anymore to NOT have a Facebook page if you want to be competitive.  But that Facebook page won't do you any good without some heart and intention around it.  Working in television for a few years now, I can tell you that there is pretty much nothing worse than the feeling someone is talking to you purely to collect another "connection" to add to their Blackberry. Quantity over quality does you no networking good. That idea gets lost when you have just added your 150th friend on Facebook, but I still believe it's true. Make an effort to connect with everyone you add. 

I also think it's a good idea to take these new online connections and bring them to the real world whenever possible.  The STS events like last night's Peter Shankman conversation are a great example, (which is why I'm nauseous that I had to work late and miss it;-).  I've also contacted writers and personalities I admire via email in the hopes they may enjoy my blog.  For instance, I love PBS's Tavis Smiley.  Well, why wouldn't he enjoy me as well?!  So I sent over my latest blog entry on Barack Obama.  Obviously, I may never hear from him, but I'm not putting anyone out. And look, you never know.

No matter what networking you're involved in, just remember how kids behave at a party. When my nieces get together with our friend's daughters once a year on the Cape, they don't just launch into conversation and playtime with huge expectations.  There is always the polite and awkward silence as they all feel each other out over pizza and apple juice.  But by the end of the night, they are all screaming and laughing...making their own sundaes and doing the limbo.