I have tried online networking but have not found it productive. Any tips?
If you were walking down a street, and a complete stranger came up to you and told you that we need to connect, you would probably walk away.
If however the same person came up to you and introduced them self, and also told you that you went to the same school and had similar interests, then you would probably start a conversation. The same thing applies on online networking.
So the first thing in online networking is to have a well written profile. Something that looks like it has been put together with thought and time. It also needs to tell me about you and your hobbies and not just about the products you sell. Put some nice pictures in there if the products you promote are well illustrated by photos.
When contacting others, be personal rather than using the same message for all. Read other people’s profiles and highlight this fact when you contact them. Show an interest in others and they will show an interest in you. But above all do not try and sell to them. People do not like to be sold to. You are looking to develop advocates and build relationships so that they will help you get to the people you really need to be talking to.
Also remember though that online networking is great as a starting point, to connect with people, to discover basic things about each other. You must follow up with a 1-2-1 meeting after to really understand each other businesses and how you can help each other. Online Networking is great but the real business is done in the 1-2-1’s that you have as a result of connecting with them.