October 2007 Archives

One of the guidelines often mentioned by personal coaches and networking trainers is that a person should try to work three personal networks at a time. Less than three is too vertical; there is less chance for branching out between the networks. More than three spreads the individual too thin, straining their personal credibility within the networks.

Keyboard Networking allows the savvy networker to go beyond those three personal networks, because it allows for a much more flexible schedule. For example, if e-mail is a persons primary Keyboard Networking tool, they can answer their messages in the morning, before they begin their traditional work day, and in the evening, after that traditional work day is complete.

The national and international aspects of the Internet are also good reasons to include Keyboard Networking in a marketing plan. Belonging to groups such as Rotary, the Chamber, or BNI are good ways to meet others locally, but growing a network beyond your local area usually requires travel. There are many people whose businesses are such that they could offer their services to others from a distance, but are unable to make contact with others to build the relationships necessary to make that a reality. Communicating with others via the Internet is a good way to develop those relationships; the individual can travel via the computer to expand their contacts.

Back in 1998, I was chatting on-line using a program known as ICQ. The program (ICQ stands for I Seek You) has since become the most widely-used instant-messaging program on the planet. One of the more interesting features of ICQ is its random chat feature. Users can make themselves available to receive instant messages from other ICQ users at random.

While many of these random encounters are short-lived, some turn into interesting conversations and still others into business relationships and friendships. Such was the case when I met a web developer from Missouri. We started chatting about computer topics and realized we were a good fit professionally. Without even meeting this person face-to-face, we were able to establish a business relationship that remained profitable for several years.

As the Internet has matured, so has Keyboard Networking. Sites dedicated to on-line networking are coming of age as even newer on-line networks are forming. The old-school tools, instant messaging and e-mail, have become second nature to so many that it's easy to develop an effective Keyboard Networking strategy.

That is the power of Keyboard Networking. Word of mouth will get your business known in your home town, and maybe a bit farther if the people talking about you travel. Keyboard Networking expands that and enables you to extend your visibility worldwide.

Since the technology that facilitates Keyboard Networking isnt new, there are a number of possibilities for implementing this as part of your overall marketing strategy.

This project, Keyboard Networking, got started in 2005. We were in the process of developing content for the site when the storm hit. Keyboard Networking had to take a back seat to rebuilding homes, businesses, and lots of travel to make a buck.

The time has come to resume this effort, however. Even though New Orleans has struggled to cope with the aftermath of the storm over the last two years, the wider world has not, and business networking in the wired world has grown rapidly. So, we'll go forward from where Keyboard Networking stands in 2007, and how you extend your business network into cyberspace.