One of the things I wanted to do at The Idea Camp was to get some ideas on networking. I’ve done a lot of networking in the past for gaining business clients, but never really networked much to gain resources. As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, I am not much of a social person. In fact, I’m pretty introverted normally. So, The Idea Camp was a place I could push my limits a bit.
DJ Chuang has really helped me gain an understanding on networking. He is more than a follower on twitter or a friend on facebook, but he truly gets how to build relationships. Obviously Charles T. Lee gets networking as well since in his interview with me he revealed that he knew most of the facilitators prior to hosting The Idea Camp.
Anyone can jump on twitter and just follow thousands of people and get reciprocal followers and look like they have a lot of influence, but that really isn’t networking. It’s more like broadcasting.
What sets DJ & Charles apart from the crowd? It’s their willingness to listen and then try to help others network as well. It’s their interest in the individual that matters. I remember once how DJ Chuang first came into my life through following my youtube channel. Then, by my following his blog I sent him an email which then turned into a phone call, which then turned into a tweetup at The Idea Camp, which then became a bond between us. I consider DJ a friend now. With Charles, I remember tweeting about how I really wanted to get to The Idea Camp, but wasn’t sure I could get coverage for an event that was happening that Friday night which I led every month, nor was I sure I could afford the travel. Every time Charles would just tweet back, “Just commit to come down. You won’t be disappointed.” Honestly, I don’t think anyone would have missed me if I had not gone to The Idea Camp. However, Charles made me feel like I was important. He cared about me and my presence. Now that I know Charles a little more, I am compelled to stay in touch just so I can see how I can help him with his causes and ministry and continue learning from him and reciprocating the love any way possible.
In the end, the art of networking isn’t about the network, but it is about you. What are you trying to gain from networking and how do you choose who to network with? Having 123,830 twitter followers does not make you a networker, it generally you a twitter whore. Better to have 50 people in a sphere of influence where community and lasting relationships are developed then to be the rockstar of the twitter community. Do you care about relationships, or just how many people know who you are?
Thanks to DJ Chuang and Charles T. Lee, I feel blessed and priviledged to sense their caring and kindness to a nobody like me that at one time felt lost in the world of networking, but now feel like I have learned how to do it properly and responsibly. The Idea Camp made this a reality for me.
How do you network and why? Would appreciate your comments.
