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Networking Lessons Learned from an Older Generation
Posted by Caroline Jones, media relations intern on Oct 13, 2009 in Caroline Jones, Intern Posts |
I’m a firm believer that you learn about the best opportunities by establishing yourself as a go-to kind of person. I’d like to share a story with you that made a lasting impression on me and how I view communicating with others.
Last week, I met a man my grandfather’s age named Doyle. He lives in a small town in southwest Iowa and owns a restaurant named the Silver Spur. His wife came in and asked what he had been doing “dinking around” all day. He responded that a few of his buddies stopped by—one guy was selling a plot of land, another guy was looking to replace his fence and yet someone else came in needing work and was looking for something to do to pay his bills. Doyle was able to connect the people in town with one another so he could help everyone out.
He doesn’t tweet or blog or write about his theories of Web 2.0. He is the person people in town go to because they know he won’t rest until he has helped everyone who needs it. When I was talking to him, he asked what I do. I explained how I work in public relations, advertising and am passionate about online networking, and then it hit me: What is the underlying difference between Doyle “dinking around” and me connecting with people on social networks all day?
I may not see everyone face-to-face everyday, but I think you see where I am going with this. I think everyone who calls themselves a social media expert should take a page from Doyle’s playbook. Be that person people go to because they know you will go to extreme lengths to help them out. Doyle doesn’t monetize his public relations expertise, but everyone who comes through town always stops by for a bite to eat at his restaurant.
My point in sharing this is because it is drilled into our heads in college that we need to network, network, network. Yet, nobody really told or showed me how to do it. I might have learned the proper etiquette and manners, but nobody tells you what you need to do to make it work. It comes from getting off your computer, out the door and involved in your community. Some people call it networking. Doyle’s wife calls it “dinking around.”
The premise of Come Recommended is much the same. By requiring members to have recommendations, CR lays the foundation to a successful career so you can truly begin to understand the importance of word-of-mouth. Doyle doesn’t have a LinkedIn or Come Recommended account, but I bet he would have many recommendations by his name if he did. He has made a name for himself by implementing the same principles.
I’m a firm believer that you learn about the best opportunities by establishing yourself as a go-to kind of person. I’d like to share a story with you that made a lasting impression on me and how I view communicating with others.