Smart Networking: Attract a Following in Person and Online

Author Liz Lynch created the perfect book for me in "Smart Networking". I'm at a point in my life where I'm making career changes, moving onward and upward and though some say I have a natural style about me I'm a pretty introverted person. I've gone from a published poet and songwriter to fiction author, blogger, writing interviews and book reviews, promoter and now literary agent. I'm at a point where networking is a MUST. I need to find that IN. I read "Smart Networking" Attract A Following In Person And Online in one sitting. This book is so INFORMATIVE and STRATEGIC that I want back highlighted key points and made notes. It motivated me to jump onto my sites and start revising my profile to stand out more and make them more personal as well. Now we'll just have to wait and see if the book does the trick. Come network with me! GREAT BOOK LIZ!!! I LOVE IT!!!

So much has been written about networking that it's hard to see how any book could add to the existing publications. Liz Lynch does review some basic concepts but adds a twist of her own. Some good points: Lynch introduces a networking mindset that many will find helpful. Sure, it's social, she says, but you might as well admit you have goals. I enjoyed her success stories, especially her use of the Blog Squad as an example of trust-building online. (The two have now moved in new, separate directions.) Her discussion of groups is more objective than most. The section on online marketing, especially the use of ezines and social media, is exceptionally thorough and accurate. On the downside, I think it's increasingly difficult to use speaking as a means to build networks. More and more organizations will invite you to speak only if you belong to the organization. Frankly, this approach doesn't make sense. I would think a group would want to gain information from an expert, who might not be eligible for the group. A group of accountants, for instance, would benefit from hearing a talk by an Internet marketing pro. The only missing topic was a discussion of who will best benefit from which kinds of networking. Lynch mentions that her web designer used BNI. I've found that certain fields benefit from BNI more than others; if your fellow members easily understand your service, and know why it's important, you may do well. Leads groups like BNI almost deserve a separate chapter. Lynch is right when she warns that groups vary a great deal and they're pretty intense. One challenge I had was that I don't necessarily want to recommend fellow group members. And if you're not actively connected to your community, you will have trouble fulfilling your group obligations. And while experts like to claim that anyone can learn to network, I'm convinced that some people are more naturally skilled than others. You need a certain temperament or else a combination of motivation and discipline to learn to act as though you had that temperament. It's easier online because you have time to strategize; you can even hire someone to ghost your networking for you (and it's done all the time). That said, I'd have no qualms about recommending Smart Networking for business and career growth. I rated the book "5 stars" because it's one of the best I've seen on the treacherous subject of networking.

I'm Gary Perman, a headhunter that owns a boutique firm that provides critical management for technology companies throughout North America. This is a great book for the novice as well as the experienced networker. It guides the novice through step by step networking methods as well as Gives the reasons "why" one networks and the benefits received from networking. The experienced networker will learn some great advanced networking methods As well as pick up many nuggets of Gold to use at professional and social events, On-line, and over the phone. I've been networking for years and found this book Contains a tremendous amount of ideas I could put to use immediately. This book is well worth your time.

I bought and read Liz's book (in one sitting) and, while I am not in a networking mode now nor expect to be for some time, if ever, I did find some utility in the work for myself and can certainly recommend it to others without reservation. First it was short and to the point. Secondly, the wrap up and implementation in the last chapter would be very useful for those who wish to follow the guidelines in the former chapters. This last chapter should be used as a model for all of the self-help books genre. Too many of such books "leave you hanging" in the end as to how to implement the advice contained therein. What I personally found useful were the sections on electronic networking and am expanding, modifying and improving my online profiles following Liz's guidelines. Again, I am doing so without specific goals in mind, but it is very important to gain control of your online presence and Liz is an expert in that area. In summary, Deborah Gibson has a song entitled "Can't Do It Alone" (off of the "Think with Your Heart" album , 1995, EMI Records) and a case can be made that networking is, for many people, a lifetime pursuit. For those who follow this philosophy or for who don't but are in need of networking now, this work is an essential read. How much you get out of it depends both on the level your personal networking needs and how much effort you put into following Liz's excellent and very usable advice and methodologies. Professor John W. Kercheval, III Washington, DC

I liked the fact that this book starts with a notion that networking is a natural thing to do, not some game to play, and that you will be most successful it from a standpoint of "authenticity". It combines a combination of practical things that you think we'd all know, but don't, combined with what I thought are some very useful new ideas about using the internet in all it's forms. It's not a great book to kick back with on the beach (unless it's time to be looking for a new job), but is an excellent read if you are feeling like you've been consumed by your job and not very connected with the broader professional world. I thought it was an easy and perfect read for a three hour plane ride. Glad someone took the time to put this all in one easy to read place.