Business Networking Online 101

After attending an online business course, you need to get in the game. Networking is the fast lane of your career track. Social media is quickly replacing the face-to-face business card exchanges and networking conferences of yore. Use social media and network with the luminaries in your field from the comfort of your own office. You'll find out fast how much social networking can improve your relationships.Pay special attention to these tips if you want to polish your profile and jump into networking online.Build a powerful profileYou know the saying "image is everything?" Well, the same holds true for your social media profiles. Look at each one through the eyes of someone who might be interested in working with you. Post a professional-looking headshot. Avoid racy images, photos of you inebriated from the last big party, and other "incriminating" shots. If you're using a career-focused networking site - write a specific headline that appears beneath your photo. As for interests, don't put things like "beer drinking," or "your mom." Put real hobbies and add a few that apply to your industry.Make your profile more personalDeveloping your profile is like developing a brand. Make it personal- many social media sites have the option to add your own artistic design. If you have a blog, make sure your social media sites use the same colors, images, and avatar. You're networking online and people need to know how to find you - make sure your contact information is correct and prominently placed.Be a friendYou have to be a friend to make a friend. Help out people on your account! If they need recommendations and you believe in the person's abilities - give them a recommendation. And add people to your friends' list. Start talking to people using your account. Start following groups that have the similar interests. Be involved in discussions and you'll start to get to know people in your field.Don't be lazyOne of the biggest mistakes people make when they use networking tools is only keeping up with their contacts when they're desperate for a job. Keep up with your social media profiles on a regular basis. This not only helps you network. It also helps you appear more authentic and natural. You don't want to blast your community with a job request when you never mention or speak to them otherwise.