I’m signed up to a number of social & corporate networking sites: Facebook (but then again, who isn’t?), LinkedIn, and Marketing Profs. Each with their own unique reasons for being. But, by far, the most successful site for me has been Marketing Profs.
Before joining the family business, I built my career in the branding & design industry. I get a great deal of joy out of dissecting & distilling brands, naming, and brand stewardship. With my job @ Regal, I would be heading our marketing department…but gone were my days of consultation. So, I had to fill that gap…and along came MarketingProfs.com.
Over a period of a year, I provided my thoughts and expertise to companies looking for naming and strategic branding advise. Through doing what I love, I’ve been contacted (out of the blue, I might add) by 3 totally unique companies. The latest of these “connections” took place this morning. A gentleman…let’s call him “Bob”…called me and told me that he had read some of my thoughts and ideas on the web. Bob was very impressed with my thinking and wanted to see if I’d be interested in helping him develop a name for his not for profit venture.
I was blown away. I mean, where else could a connection like this take place? The ability to view someone’s thoughts, see their ideas and solutions, get to know who they are and what they have done in their past…without ever talking to them. This has become possible with the advent of the networking site.
It’s because of these sites that I have started a business venture with a fantastic entrepreneur, pitched on a number of projects for my current job, and even reunited with long lost family & friends.
My message – get out there! Find a networking site that means something to you and start connecting. Share your thoughts. Provide your insights. You’ll be amazed by how many people you’ll meet!