Online and In-Person Networking: The Best of Both Worlds

Over the years, I have been a strong believer in networking. But whether it was a Chamber of Commerce event or coffee with a prospective client or colleague, it was always a face-to-face thing. I had to start up the car and drive somewhere. It was time-consuming. And staying in touch was difficult.

Recently we joined an online networking community called Biznik. It is based in the Seattle area, so the largest part of its membership is local. Biznik is unique because they offer opportunities to network both online and in person. The members themselves plan and host the events: networking breakfasts, lunches, even happy hours. And members can share their business expertise and build their credibility through “real time” workshops and articles posted online.

Why does it work better than traditional networking? Because the online and offline parts complement each other so well. Say you meet someone online and post a comment on their article in the Learn section, or welcome someone in the new members thread, or discuss a topic with another member in the forum. You can invite that person to join your online network. Or you can watch to see when they’ll be attending an upcoming event, so you can meet them in person and start the relationship building.

Or maybe you meet someone at a live event. Where follow-up was a difficult thing in the past, you can send a message through Biznik, or respond to a post of theirs on the forum, and the connection can be strengthened, without having to wait until another event that may be weeks down the road.

Business is all about growing relationships, not exchanging business cards. And Biznik does just that. Their tagline says it all: Business networking that doesn't suck.

You can tour the site and see for yourself at biznik.com.