BetterNetworker.com -- Importance of Community & Social Networking

  Written by Eric Walker on Aug 16, 2008 6:34 am

Read More: Marketing  |  Social Networking

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The BetterNetworker.com is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to be a part of a community.

During my first year as a fifth grade teacher, our staff took a weekend trip to the Oregon Coast. We were a brand new school. Staff had been brought in from around the district, and other surrounding areas. I was just a greenhorn newbie fresh out of college.

Learn to Fit In, Make Connections, and Contribute

At the coast, I didn't want to make waves and stand out until I fully understood what "standing out" meant within our group. At the same time, I wanted to stand out as soon as possible because I believed I had good things to offer. Yet, there was a lot to learn from members of our group.

So I started by making connections, one at at a time. I found that getting to know individuals, and listening to their ideas made it easier to get a grasp for the kind of contributions I could make later. Relevency. Then I looked for ways I could contribute. I picked my spots by being observant, and paying close attention.

It's no different here at the BetterNetworker. We should not want to stand out, and at the same time, we should want to stand out. Follow the process of fitting in first, then make connections, and look for ways to contribute. 

Learn From Other Successful People Within Your Community

At the opening dinner with our new staff of teachers opening a brand new school, we all introduced ourselves. I was in awe of the confidence and experience of the other teachers. I knew I could learn so much from all of them.

I also soon realized that I had just as much, if not more, passion and enthusiam for teaching. What I lacked in experience, I made up for in motivation. I was willing to work hard, try new things and "give" my enthusiam away.

The first thing I began doing was seeking out the best of the best teachers. I had done my homework before attending the weekend staff retreat to find out which teachers had similar philosophies as my own. I approached them, but not before I learned of their work.

I suggest choosing one to three people per week to follow and connect with here at BetterNetworker.com. For example, I'm following Ferny this week. He has tremendous experience with this community, and I want to listen to him and learn. This will help me make appropriate, value-based, relevent contributions.

Establish Yourself as a Valuable Community Member

By the end of the weekend, everyone had become closer and exchanged value. Likewise, my contributions had become an accepted norm. I continued to pick the brain of my mentors and learn and apply their expertise. Taking this kind of action, I was able to report back to the community at large with my findings, as well as some new valuable tidbits along the way.

First, to do this here at the BetterNetworker you have to be consistent. You can't create one post and disappear for three months. You also have to take action. To start, this means getting connected with the mentors and experts within this community. Read their articles, watch their videos, respond to forum threads. You don't have to hit a homerun, you just have to establish yourself day by day.

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