The old fashion methods of social networking have always been and will always be, the best way for making connections.
Sure, I’ve got a facebook and linkedin page. But the reality is this:
Unless we have a persons phone number in our cell,
their email in our address book,
we would say ‘hello’ if we passed them on the street,
or we could comfortably have coffee and chat,
they are not a ‘real’ contact.
This is not to say that we should limit ourselves to who we already know, but to nurture our current ‘real’ relationships, which will lead to more ‘real’ relationships. Repeat.
Facebook et al are a great way to ‘re-find’ people, but can we imagine going to meet someone we’ve not been introduced to the old way and have a valuable business meeting with them? Can we imagine meeting with a random social network inviter and becoming close business or personal associates?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Old in the new New.
True, but smaller more focusssed virtual networks can facilitate the development of real relationships over time. For a classic example of what I mean visit http://www.Irishbusinesswomen.com
“Can we imagine meeting with a random social network inviter and becoming close business or personal associates?”
YES! I have ‘met’ a lot of really cool people on Twitter. I’ve heard them mentioned offline at events, then added them on Twitter, then at another local event met them in person. There are quite a few people I would catch up with if I was in their area. I think @SilkCharm will be in Melbourne soon, if she’s up for it I’ll buy her a coffee 🙂
I can totally see where you are coming from, but why can’t I meet people online? Not total randoms mind you, but people in certain industries that I’m involved in.
In fact, just before I met you last week I met with somebody who contacted me on Twitter and wanted to catch up in person. So there you go, a solid example! It does happen.