If You Want to Kick Major Ass, Rock Your Network

Oct 11, 2008
12 Comments


Can’t see the video? Watch it on the blog.

Verizon has it right: It’s the network. If you really want to explode your blog traffic and have opportunities come your way, you have to rock your network. You’re not operating in a vacuum. Your network is EVERYTHING:

  • Opportunities come from the people in your network.
  • Traffic comes second-hand from the people in your network.
  • Affiliate sales come from the people in your network.
  • Help and assistance comes from the people in your network.
  • Connections to other people come from your network.

How does all this happen? Take the above list and reverse it like this:

You don’t need a second monitor running TweetDeck fullscreen (though it helps). You can do it via good ol’ email and phone. The point is: stay aware of the state of your network. Nurture your network. Give, and you will receive.

Without this, you can write all the content you want and nobody will care. If you want to kick major ass, rock your network.

Be devoted to your network.

  • Michael,
    Golden! Edifying and promoting others is key. If you find something value driven blast it out on ping.fm. This deserves and Amen! :-)

    Dali Burgado
  • @Michael Martine No problem; I enjoy following on twitter because you provide quality links; I try to but for the moment I don't have many followers because I just started. It will come in time.

    See you on twitter :)
  • @Toma - sorry I missed replying to your comment a few days ago. Thanks for following on Twitter! We've already conversed a bit, as I recall. :)

    @Daryl - I know exactly what you mean. I've always been intrigued by others' workspace photos.
  • For some reason I always like seeing other work areas. Or AOs as we called them in the Army. (Area of Operation)

    We have similar work stations. And now I have TweetDeck running on my second monitor which usually has Pandora and personal apps running.

    I think Cisco is even more spot on with their Human Network Effect. I do a lot of offline networking via Chambers of Commerce, leads groups, and business meet-ups, and it keeps me busy. Then again I know it comes down to were your business comes from. You have to fish in the waters that have the species your after.

    Ok that is enough metaphors for one comment.
  • Hi,

    This is so true. And not only for Twitter. If you go on a two weeks vacation and you stop blog posts, social media activity, blog replyes, forum activity, e-mail reply when you're coming back you'll see a major change in your web traffic. Indeed you have to say connected.

    Just started following you on Twitter. I'm WebOptimization on Twitter but you don't need to follow me. I just started my account.

    Thank you.
  • @Grant - that is a great point. Nothing beats face to face. NOTHING. Attending conferences and the like is the best thing you can do. SOBCon, Blog World Expo, BlogHer, WordCamps, etc. are all worth the money for what you can give to others (and get out of this).
  • Be a "real" person is something so many forget. They get so caught up in being connected with social media tools like twitter, they forget to pick up the phone or Skype and actually communicate with someone.

    We will never, ever replace personal human contact as the main way to "rock our network".

    Once again, thanks for saying what needs to be said.
  • @Stephen - great to hear, man! Let's keep in touch and work on those topics for SOBCon '09.

    @Frank - Yes it takes time, but no garden will bear fruit if it is not properly watered and cared for.

    @Jim - It is timeless, isn't it?
  • "Give, and you will receive"

    Same motto, always works...
  • I love the connection with verizon - it definitly is all about your network.

    The best way to build, sustain, grow and enjoy your network online is to be helpful, add value and connect people.

    The tough part is having the time to do it all (at least for me)

    __
    http://twitter.com/franswaa
  • Good advice. Since I have found myself back in the commanders' chair here in the hidden lair, I have been reaching out like crazy. I am so glad to be catching up with people that drifted off over the summer.

    Keep'em coming!
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