Jun
23
Backdoor Networking: The Active Lurker
Posted by the Networking Goddess in Online Networking, Types of Networking, Networking Groups and Functions, Giving Leads, Getting Leads, General
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Backdoor Networking : The Active Lurker
Many, many business professionals receive email lists and newsgroups on a daily basis. Most will tell you that they are looking for:
- Information and resources that keep them abreast of their business industry’s climate and teach them new, effective, productive techniques.
- Suppliers for their firm’s needs.
- Potential clients for their firm.
But thousands and thousands of people never post a message to any of these lists or newsgroups. They are called “lurkers”. Lurkers say that they have concerns about posting for fear they will post something that is considered by the active membership as worthless. Or they are concerned that their question was already covered on the list or newsgroup, and no one will want to discuss it again. Or they just plain feel they have nothing positive to contribute.
How does someone like this, network on these lists, on the Internet? Here are some lurker techniques that are very effective in helping to build online relationships;
1. Send private posts to everyone who introduces themselves on the list or newsgroup. Welcome them and thank them for their introduction. I have found that sending a virtual postcard to do this is a very effective welcome tool. The message I include reads something like this:
“Welcome to the mb-list. I read with interest the introduction you posted about your firm. I look forward to reading more of your posts and perhaps referring some business your way in the future”.
I sign the postcard with my sig file, which includes a little information about my firm. This allows the receiver to visit my site if they are interested.
2. Send private posts to people who voice opinions that are similar to yours. These people can become great allies in these forums. They think like you think and probably handle things in a way similar to how you would handle things. Should you want to bounce ideas off of people, this group is liable to be your best off-list source for ideas that fit your personal business “style”.
3. Send private posts asking for more information. Perhaps someone posted about a topic that you have interest in but you are not clear on what they meant. Ask for clarification. In this situation, understand that the person may not have a lot of time to go into too great detail. But I have never had someone not answer my question at all, even if to just point me to a URL that can help me.
4. Send private posts to people when you have information that would help them. It is perfectly acceptable to answer a request for help or advice off-list. If you have resources that can help the person, feel free to share them. The receiver will be very grateful.
5. Send Thank You’s privately. I have had people ask me if it is improper netiquette to send a “thank you”, since it is another message that fills up someone’s e-mail box. I think that saying “thank you” is never out of place.
6. Send requests for more information on a person’s firm if you have an interest in either doing business with them or referring business to them. People will be more than happy to send you more information by e-mail or point you to their web site. It is always welcome to ask:
“How do I know that a person I am speaking with would be a good client for you?”
7. If you are interested in sharing information about your firm with a person on a list or newsgroup, whom you have no relationship with, be sure the person has requested that information. Perhaps they made a post about requiring a product or service that you provide. It is acceptable to respond to that post with information about your firm, as long as you reference the post the receiver made requesting this information.
8. If you feel the need to post something angry or negative to someone, I feel this should ALWAYS be done in private. Not only does the posting of a angry or negative posts on a list or newsgroup, start controversy amongst other participants, but it looks terribly unprofessional for you. Remember, if you are looking for help from reading email lists and newsgroups, people are not too interested in helping someone who doesn’t know what belongs in public and what belongs in private.
And please remember. Conversations in private emails are to remain private. It is very bad netiquette to post a private message to a public list without the writer’s permission. Although Internet law is still being written, this practice is commonly considered copyright infringement and at the very least makes you look extremely unprofessional.
Nancy
Your Networking Goddess