Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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November 17, 2008

5 Doorways to the Power of Social Networks

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:28 am

Are You Networking More and Enjoying It Less?

relationships button

Anyone in social media can tell you the power of networking for individuals and businesses. Social networks can fuel personal growth and business development.

From Linkedin and Facebook to Twitter and Ning, the quality social networks that we build can guide us, protect us, and help us stay our course … if we let them know how.

We have the networks already or already started. Now we need to engage in open, equal, and active relationships that move us all toward success.

5 Doorways to the Power of Social Networks

One bane of small and solo business is the isolation that can be part of our business life. We can hire lawyers and accountants, trainers and guides, marketers and sales folks … well, maybe not all at one time. Even if we can outsource in every direction, we need to know that what folks are suggesting is right.

We’re building communities and networks that have the experience and expertise we need. The key is to get our networks working with us. Here are 5 ways to do just that.

Doorways connect.

We’ve invested in the network of people we call friends and colleagues — the people we respect and are happy to help. Why wouldn’t we offer them doorways to do the same?

How do you open doorways to enlist the power of your network? How else might we engage them in open, equal, and active relationships so that our barns and bridges are well built and successful?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help you find focus or direction, check out the Work with Liz!!

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8 Comments to “5 Doorways to the Power of Social Networks”

  1. November 17th, 2008 at 8:39 am
    Steve Olson said

    That is one of the benefits to having a corporate job (like me). I get to go out to lunch everyday with a group of friends. My wife who runs our homebased bookselling business does suffer some social isolation and having only the company of small children doesn’t always help. Great post Liz.

  2. November 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
    Teresa Morrow said

    These are truly wonderful reminders to all of us to realize the power of the open doorways.
    It is important to be giving and open those doorways for others. And then when a doorway is open for us….to say thank you. Embrace the blessings that are given to us and send out blessings to others when and where we can.
    I like your point about asking for help…I believe that too many people think it is a sign of weakness to ask for help when actually it is a sign of strength.

    Thanks as always Liz for providing a great post!

    Sincerely,

    Teresa Morrow

  3. November 17th, 2008 at 9:29 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yeah, Steve,
    We don’t realize how much we relay on our social networks until we don’t have, but likewise we don’t give them enough opportunities either.

    Imagine if we did. :)

  4. November 17th, 2008 at 9:30 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Teresa!
    Asking for help takes knowing what kind of help we need. That’s often the biggest point that gets us stuck. We keep moving forward without assessing what we have and what’s missing. :)

  5. November 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
    Richard Reeve said

    The ability to know doors are or will open is crucial. I tend to knock no more than three occasions In old European monastaries, the porter was told ony to admit unannounced guests if they persisted to return for a third time. I’ve also had to learn to accept the doors that do not open to me and move on. That attitude has been vital to my development in social media.

    (Honor the compliment major as well…)

  6. November 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
    George said

    All good points.When you open your doorway, you are inviting others to your area of interest. Social networks are the best place to share and take knowledge. They provide you unlimited opportunities.

  7. November 18th, 2008 at 10:10 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi George!
    The more time I spend on social networks the more I realize they’re about opening doors for each other.

    Thanks for taking time to add your thoughts. :)

  8. November 18th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
    15 Ways To Be HUMAN Online and Not A Screen Name | Kyle Lacy, Social Media - Indianapolis said

    [...] 5 Doorways to the Power of Social Networks [...]

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