It’s widely known that networking is one of the most effective ways to expand your Rolodex and grow your company. Scores of products and services are bought and sold as a result of skillful, consistent networking. However, there are benefits beyond the sale that should not be overlooked, such as learning new business tips, discovering new resources and building strong customer/vendor connections.

Now it’s time to add cyber networking to your repertoire. The perfect complement to in-person networking, online “schmoozing” can yield great rewards. Plus, you can do it 24/7! Chat rooms and bulletin board communities enable networkers to share ideas and information about their businesses, while building connections with entrepreneurs in other areas. Take the time to research online networking groups in your industry or region, then begin your virtual networking experience.

Here are a few sites to get you started:

LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn is an online network of more than 20 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. Through your network you can:

• Find potential clients, service providers, subject experts, and partners who come recommended
• Be found for business opportunities
• Search for great jobs
• Discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals
• Post and distribute job listings
• Find high-quality passive candidates
• Get introduced to other professionals through the people you know

LinkedIn is free to join. We also offer paid accounts that give you more tools for finding and reaching the right people, whether or not they are in your network.

Web 2.0 guru Sree Sreenivasan, Columbia Journalism Dean of Student Affairs and WNBC-TV tech reporter, names it the MySpace for business professionals.

View Flying Turtle Marketing’s profile on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/flyingturtlemarketing.

Facebook
www.facebook.com
Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. All that's needed to join Facebook is a valid email address. To connect with coworkers or classmates, use your school or work email address to register. Once you register, join a regional network to connect with the people in your area.

Discover the people around you
Facebook is made up of many networks, each based around a company, region, or school. Join the networks that reflect your real-life communities to learn more about the people who work, live, or study around you.

If you have something to sell, you must have a Facebook strategy.

Womans-Net
www.womans-net.com
The online networking community for women in business, where members can share information and learn how to start and run a successful business. ($39/year for new members; $30/year for renewing members)

Ryze
www.ryze.com
Helps people make connections and grow their networks. Members can network to grow their businesses, build their careers, find jobs, make sales or just keep in touch with friends. (Free)

True Peers
www.truepeers.com
True Peers, Inc. operates a highly effective online networking service for active professionals. Combining innovative web-based technology with expert advice, True Peers helps professionals find contacts and create new business opportunities. (Free)