Your most valuable asset in business is your network. 

Why do people go to elite business schools?  Not to learn the secrets that they don’t teach you at community college–but to tap into the world’s finest networks of people. 

Leading a successful business venture means tapping into these networks, no matter if your an ex-Google employee or an ex-gang member.  Luckily for us, the internet allows us to network with millions of incredible people free of charge. 

They key:  providing something to the community first!  If you want to gain you have to give.  Want to meet a ton of cool people?  Provide something of value to them.  This is what social media is based on–

1. Facebook/MySpace– these pages are all about you, but if you really want to network, you need to start thinking about other people.  Whatever your niche, hit it hard–give people a reason to view your page–if your a photographer, have great pictures, if your a musician, give away your music, if your an entrepreneur, start groups, share online resources, invite people to events and truly care about the people you meet.  Ask about them, and maybe they’ll ask about you. 
2. Microblogging–Twitter is all the rage these days but really nobody cares what your eating for lunch.  Provide something useful when micro-blogging.  Tim Ferriss of the 4 Hour Work Week wouldn’t waste his time, or yours.  Check out his post. 
3. StumbleUpon–Want to browse the internet in a whole new way?  Want to learn what other like minded people are discovering on the web?  Want to drive thousands of hit’s to your site?  First, you’ve got to give–make friends on stumble, pass along cool links, thumb up their pages, review people’s pages and deliver real value to them.  Doing this forms real relationships, but like anything it takes time, you can’t just mass friend people and hope they become part of your following.
4. LinkedIN–It seems like everyone has a profile these days, but what value do they really get out of it?  Sure you’ll always know what your friends offical job title is, but only once you start introducing people and reviewing their work do you really create value.  Remember–create value for others and value will be created for you.  (This doesn’t mean that just becuase you reccommend someone they’ll reccommend you back) 
5. Blogging–have something interesting to say?  Do you have expertise, wisdom, advice that people will truly believe in?  Start a blog.  WARNING:  Do not start a blog unless you are 100% committed.  Your blog is your personal brand–if you quit your personal brand, it looks like you’ve died on the internet.  You must have a focus, a niche and a plan–just like starting a venture.  If your committed and focused, people will start to visit, subscribe and start to join the conversation by posting comments.  See my previous post on how to meet other bloggers to jumpstart your personal network. 
6. Niche networks–Joining communities like Sta.rtup.biz are great if you can actually find people who you have stuff in common with and fight through the spam.  Even better, if you can find a site with a REAL NICHE like newly launched Under30CEO.com  Here, you can connect with young entrepreneurs who are most likely going through the same things you are.  Provide value here by making people aware of events, posting inspirational videos, give advice in the forums and inviting your friends. 

The same principles that apply online apply in real life.  When you meet someone it’s not about what they can do for you, it’s about what you can do for them.

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mwilson1 AT alum DOT bryant DOT edu
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