Volume 13, Issue 7
Are you an analog networker or a digital networker? If you don’t know, you’re probably an analog networker. This question started to dominate my thinking after reading a book by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith called Trust Agents: Using The Web To Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust. First let me say this about their book, it was packed so full of actionable ideas on social media that it felt like I’d attended a three day seminar on the topic. After reading the book, it became crystal clear to me that these two guys know a ton about social media and that they are consummate networkers using that media. In other words, they are great digital networkers. Here are some of the things they advocate which make them effective:
They’re always trying to be connectors. (In my parlance “putting people together.”)
They’re generous in promoting others ideas as often or more often than they promote their own.
They spend way more time than the average person helping others.
If they were to integrate (the authors might use the term “mash”) the analog networking ideas from my first book, Rainmaking Made Simple with their digital networking practices they’d see a serious increase in their networking effectiveness. Someone like Chris Brogan is a digital networker extraordinaire. I’m more of an analog networker even though I have a Facebook account, LinkedIn account and Twitter account. If we merge the two effectively it should make for some very powerful networking!
Let me give one simple example to make the point. Suppose Chris makes an online introduction (via email) of two people that he’s never met in person or by phone but knows them because he is a regular reader of their respective blogs. [Note: Chris apparently reads tons of blogs.] We’ve all made similar online introductions. Great move, right? He is acting consistent with my definition of networking: “putting people together for THEIR mutual benefit.” Now suppose he keeps himself in the picture by arranging a three way phone call so he can personally make the introduction instead? This idea is straight out of Chapter 12 from Rainmaking Made Simple. Doing that accomplishes two things: He speaks by phone with two people who he admires and respects AND he gets to observe how these two people interact with each other during the call. That kind of knowledge can’t be found on the internet. Using my relationship (and analog) oriented method he goes from having only a digital link to having an analog link (phone call) as well. The net result is a stronger relationship with both. It might also spawn ideas on how he can further help the two people he just introduced. Big win for all three.
There is analog networking and there is digital networking. Analog networking takes more time but it allows for deeper relationships. Digital networking is faster and can be done with thousands. The way Chris Brogan does it is mostly digital. The way I do it is mostly analog. Neither way is better than the other. What I do notice is very few people have mastered both. After reading Chris and Julien’s book I’m much more sure how to use digital networking and social media effectively and for that I thank them. Is there much to learn from the other? Absolutely. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a resource (book or blog) that combines the two? What do you think?