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I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this over the last few weeks since I launched the up and coming bloggers podcast series. As you all know I’ve spoken to a wide variety of bloggers (all of who’s links I’ll include at the end of this post), and it’s been absolutely fascinating experience for me.
One of the things a truly effective networker will tell about “working a room” is not to work the room. Keith Ferrazi actually makes a really good point of talking about this. You’re better off going to a networking event and having an in-depth conversation with 2 people than you are trying to talk to everybody there. Those relationships actually last. I could probably post multiple interviews every week and do short 15 minute segments with everybody. I could “work the blogosphere.” Then I would be a complete jackass.
One thing that many of you don’t know is that I have lengthy conversations with everybody I interview. We talk about many things that don’t ever get put into the interview and really have nothing to do with the interview. The thing with email, instant messenger and all these other new age ways to communicate is that they take away from the authenticity of our communication. They’re a great way to build upon the relationship, but not necessarily the best way to start one. What’s amazing is that my relationships with the people I’ve interviewed is completely different because of doing this. The awesome consequences of this:
- Kelly Diels and I talk every day and she actually has been helping me find my voice on many of the posts you’ve been reading. The truth is if we met at a bar for a drink it would be like we were old friends.
- Josh Hanagarne is more like a friend than somebody I wrote a guest post for or somebody I interviewed. When he ends up in LA for any speaking gig, I’ll probably go and meet him and it won’t be like meeting somebody for the first time.
- If I met Jenny Mick at a bar, I’d know that I have a rocking wing woman to help me meet girls and vice versa.
- When I quit my job in two weeks, and told Rich Lazarra about it he called me on Skype instead of just chatting with me. We talked for about 30 mins and he gave me some great words of encouragement.
- Nathan Hangen is somebody I talk to on instant messenger anytime I want to bounce ideas and he’s always responsive.
These are people that I will always admire and respect and something tells me that when get together at Pubcon for the first time it’s going to be interesting to say the least:
- A librarian
- A copywriter who blogs about god knows what (Cleavage? Kelly I still can’t figure out what it’s about)
- A surfer
- A military guy
- A 24 year old who can probably drink us under the table (just a guess based on your stories Jenny)
- A guy who sells Yachts to balance out the madness
So, what should you take away from this? Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to people. You don’t have to interview them. Just ask for advice. You never know where these relationships will lead and you shouldn’t care. One of the greatest things our technology provides us today is the opportunity to connect in a way we never could before. Add authenticity to that and the sky is the limit.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great group of people – basically the core group I’ve really connected with during the last month or so. An in-person meetup is definitely something that needs to happen. I can still put away some cheap beer, but I’m definitely on the down-slope of drinking, up-slope of finding more interesting/rewarding activities to take part in. Man, I need to sign onto Skype more! And I need to “meet” Rich!
Jenny,
Seriously this would definitely be a fun group of people to get in a room together. Alot of brain power and creativity which would probably result in some really entertaining blog posts.
Sounds as is you’ve surrounded yourself with an a-team which is a brilliant plan. I get fed up with emailing people – it’s good to talk, more personal and easier.
Hehe, maybe we’ll even have a chat one day:)
@Annabel: I guess the I have surrounded myself with an A-team, totally unplanned, but very lucky. I’m really grateful to have connected with all these people.
The major issue to me is the ever changing technology. We`ve gone through paper, film, tape, cd, dvd, hd and every change means that some of our heritage is lost. Another problem, to me, is that young people have charge of these things and do not appreciate the value of storing the worlds knowledge. Multimedia-many formats for presenting the information.
I say it time and time again – Building relationships has been the single most important benefit of creating my blog. One connection in most cases leads to 5, which leads to 25. It’s absolutely amazing how there are so many awesome people blogging. Bravo to you for finding a way to bring in, and connect with up and comers!
@Rich: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. You know it’s so true what you say. What’s amazing is that each person I conduct an interview with refers me to another, and that network just grows stronger and stronger. I’ll reach out to you in the next week or so about getting you scheduled for an interview.
@srinirao sounds great, looking forward to our chat!