One of the greatest strengths of the internet, is how it brings us all closer together. We are no longer sitting at home alone in our little office/bedroom/basement/kitchen feeling alone and waiting for a customer to trip over our website. We are connected to Moms and WAHMs from around the world thanks to great forums, blogs and Twitter.
If I have an idea, I just need to put up a post and Mom Masterminds and within the hour I will have fantastic, useful advice that people in my real-life network could have never provided. I am part of groups on Twitter Moms of people that share my interests and hobbies. I have friends I have never met and maybe never will.
Instead of networking consisting of people in your city or area, you can now network with people interested in the same topics you, from all over the world. I think that is pretty awesome! I can also do it in my bathrobe, which is even more awesome! :) I am a slightly introverted person, I only get comfortable once I feel like I know you, so for me “networking” in real life (IRL) makes my palms sweat.
So for me, networking online is a comfort factor as well. As a WAHM, you just may simply not have TIME to go to a networking event; you don’t have a sitter, you can only work during nap times or you are just simply too busy. Networking online is great, because you can do it on your terms. Of course, I am NOT saying do not network IRL, I am just saying sometimes doing it online is more convenient.
I came across this video discussing how Moms feel about their Online friends vs their RL Friends, and I think it applies to WAHMs as well:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihm-ffg9VfM
I have to say I agree with most of the ladies on the video. Sometimes my RL friends just stare at my blankly when I am using internet-speak. And they definitely do not understand what I do all day. The only person I know how uses Twitter IRL is my hubby and I will tweet him when he is sitting right behind me – ha!
These forums, blogs, sites, etc. have really enriched my life and have given me opportunities I never would have had if I was just interacting with people from my town. It is fantastic to have smart, creative women from all of the world in my network.
I never would have had the opportunity to be the blog intern here and wouldn’t know the fabulous Kelly. I can definitely say that my online network is as important as my real life network.
Do you prefer to network online or in real life? What has networking online brought your business?
Grab My 96 Page Smart Start Guide For New Solopreneurs!
I honestly feel that my online friends have become more valuable then my RL friends. I have even lost a friend so far. I don’t have much friends to begin with. I can’t stand negativity or constantly being bombarded with problems and issues. We all have them but lets move forward. Also, my RL friends aren’t business minded and to have a conversation with them can be very hard. I love my online friends because we are online for the same things and we all are here to build each other. At least I feel that way with my online friends.
Felicia – I Complete Mes last blog post..The Perfect Marriage
Good point Felicia, a lot of our online friends are interested in the same things we are, usually because we have found them at forums or sites about our interests, where as that might not be the case IRL. :)
Christies last blog post..My Posts from Around the Web