Handshake
The Internet has certainly changed the rules of networking and made it truly possible to network with people all over the globe at any time of the day. Twitter, Facebook, and Linked-In are just the big names in a sea of socail media websites that are giving us unprecedented access to friends and business associates.
But there is certainly something to be said for good old-fasioned networking face to face. There is a bond that develops with those that you spend “actual” time with rather than just “virtual” time.
I have personally found it very productive to join meet-up groups, my alumni association, and pursue speaking engagements that are live — the up close and personal contact of a face to face meeting still cannot be replicated fully on the Internet.
Of course there are websites that make it possible to easily find off-line networking events and the best that I have found is MeetUp.com. MeetUp.com has hundreds of scheduled meet ups that deal with every facet of business and personal hobbies. The website manages the invitations, communication and RSVP so that the organizer can concentrate on creating good, quality meeting content.
If you have a business that concentrates on marketing to the local community there are certainly plenty of activities you can be doing online but you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a strong handshake and the exchange of a business card.
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