You're looking to expand your business network. What are the best online communities to join?

The future of successful businesses hinges on their ability to not only network but to create ecosystems where each entity is an integral contributor to the whole. Online networking communities should pivot from being mere directories of professionals to enablers of synergistic ecosystems. As you engage in online communities, ask yourself: Is this space helping me build a holistic web of connections? Are there opportunities for cross-industry collaboration? If you begin looking past the immediate horizon of your own industry and start cultivating a network that mirrors an ecosystem, you will likely find your business woven into a tapestry of success defined by the strength of its connections.

Online is good but in 2024 IRL is better. In Real Life. Get out there and meet people. Business chambers. Tech meet-up groups. Alumni.

The more you meet new people, more you get to learn. .....................................................................................................

Why join the online community, why be a part of business networking, or professional networking?? To learn, connect, and know what’s happening in the business area in which one is operating. What is the purpose, we join communities for the purpose which we want to achieve, viz. learn, connect, problem-solving techniques, self-development. The online community which offers knowledge-sharing sharing, networking opportunities with industry peers is the best to spend energy.

In my experience: Expanding your business network online opens doors to a wealth of opportunities, from collaboration and knowledge sharing to potential clients and partnerships. But with countless online communities vying for your attention, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming. Industry-Specific Communities: Focus: Connect with peers and experts within your specific industry. Examples: Marketing: Social Media Marketing HQ, Content Marketing Institute. Benefits: Gain industry-specific insights, share challenges, and discover potential collaborations. General Business Communities: Focus: Connect with a diverse range of professionals across various industries. Examples: LinkedIn Groups, Quora Spaces.

I connect with those whom I have met physically or with those who support my topics. My linkedin Community is complementory to my analog network. As am very much internationally active LinkedIn is the opportunity to keep un touch over countries.

One of the primary reasons to pick one online community over another is if your intended audience is active there. The reputation or size of the platform is irrelevant if your audience is active somewhere else. Something you can try is to really build a profile on one platform and then expand to another later -- possibly with a different focus. For instance, if you are a CPA, you could look for individual clients on Facebook and for referral partners on LinkedIn, such as attorneys, bankers or insurance professionals. Limit yourself to one or two platforms unless you have a team that can do your social media outreach for you. Otherwise you'll get overwhelmed and won't get the benefit of any platform.

You may also want to understand how much time you are willing to invest in the community you joined as well as how engaging you are going to be. A good platform or community won't be useful without your own willingness to invest and contribute.

In my experience one size does not fit all. This relates to on and offline networking but also the social media platforms and groups you may be tempted to join. Research what would be a good fit for you, not only because of the types of businesses in the room but also their skillset and the people they know. This is difficult when you may not have been to a meeting however attending as a guest before you join I feel is a necessity, saving time, frustration and money. If it's a group you can test the waters so to speak and remove yourself if its not for you.

Deberías investigar sobre tu industria, competidores, clientes potenciales y tendencias actuales. Analiza el comportamiento del mercado, las necesidades de los clientes y las estrategias de tus competidores. Además, mantente al tanto de las nuevas tecnologías y cambios regulatorios que puedan afectar tu negocio. La investigación constante te ayudará a tomar decisiones informadas y a adaptarte a un entorno empresarial en evolución.

You can’t join everything. So you need to really niche down and ensure that the network aligns with your goals - the industry is often secondary because there are many needs that can be applied cross industry.

When expanding your business network online, quality over quantity is key. Focus on communities aligned with your goals and preferences rather than joining every platform. This approach prevents spreading too thin and allows for meaningful interactions. By investing in select communities, you build a robust reputation and forge deeper connections. Regularly reassess and adjust your choices to adapt to evolving needs and interests.

Business networking communities are everywhere now and each has been designed for a different purpose. First thing you need to do is clearly define you reason for wanting to join a community - do you want to grow your network, grow your business, increase sales, refer business out to complimentary businesses e.t.c? Once you’ve identified your “why”, then it’s time to choose the groups that might suit your needs. You can’t be everywhere at once and we all know that networking is exactly that… work! So make sure you make the best use of your time by choosing only those communities that are going to help you achieve the goal you’ve set for yourself and your business!

In my experience, the fruitful network engagement moved from on-line platforms to mobile-based private groups, ie. WhatsApp, Telegram. In most of the cases you learn about and get introduced to these groups by your trusted industry peers, and, as the result, these communities are much more homogenous, focused on the specific topic and include people with the same targets. All these make the engagement very efficient and of a high quality.

Digital communication, though revolutionary, it’s somewhat overrated. In my opinion its real value, shines in complementing physical interactions, not in substituting them. The inherent challenge with digital platforms lies in their tendency to dilute individuality and personality, rendering communication somewhat uniform. This flattening effect can hinder the formation of emotional connections that are crucial for meaningful business relationships. Therefore, selecting a few platforms that align with your professional goals and personal preferences isn't just practical—it's necessary. In my opinion the goal of digital networking is to supplement, not substitute, the richness of face-to-face interactions.

LinkedIn has been a great tool to get to know business professionals. Be prepared for meetings by reviewing their profile and learning about what motivates them, what have they done, and what do they post about. These insights will help you find common ground and interests. Be authentic in what you comment about, but also be intentional. If you share a common interest, this may be a way to begin a conversation. As a subject matter expert, share valuable content and be thoughtful in your comments.

AI Era Networking: Authenticity Over Excess (697 characters) Start narrow and expand deep. Don't chase platforms; chase value. Align goals, not just industry. Ditch "What can I get?" for "How can I help?" Be clear, be you, but lead with generosity. Build meaningful connections, not just a bigger list. Adapt and thrive in the #AInetwork! #selectivegrowth

our participation evolves over time... at first we expand our knowledge, later experience tells us that there are empty houses...

Too often people enter networking opportunities with the “what can I get out of this?” approach. Instead, go in with a “how can I help others?” approach, and watch how much faster the people you connect with will want to help you in return. Be clear about who you are and what you do in your profile, your introduction, and in each interaction with other members, but lead with a generous and curious mindset so it’s clear to everyone you come in contact with that you’re not just in it for yourself.

The more engagement does not mean the better. With no doubt active engagement keeps you more visible, but does not necessarily position your skills in a proper way. Try to be helpful with your professional knowledge, and mean it. On the long run this is the only way to build trust of your professional network.

In my experience I learn the most about someone in my follow up .. I love face to face meetings and I think this is where the connection happens as well as personal notes . The more you learn about someone , the more you can connect . Keep learning and connecting !

Avoid touch and go. Follow up is the most crucial portion. 99% effort is 100% failure. Always remember the last jab, that last 100 meters before the finishing line. According to a report I've seen years ago, it takes at least 5 follow-ups to close a deal or to get an outcome.

Follow up is key! The group you join is the starting point, not the destination! Use groups to start to find people to connect with and then start asking to meet for Zooms, coffee, etc. or simply check in here and there with the people you met. You can't expect the group in and of itself to organize everything for you. If you want deeper connections and referrals, reach out and get to know the members outside of organized group settings and events.

Yes of course I do a follow up in private messages. It is a sign of appriciation and absolutly essential. I am admin of five LinkedIn pages and I invite my contacts to those pages depending on their interests.

Future lies in follow up. Online communities is not just about joining the community and connecting with people, its about creating meaningful relationships. You need to nurture the relationship through consistent follow up. Let's say your goal is to connect with potential clients through the online community. A research shows that you need on an average five follow ups with a contact before the sale is made. So follow is the key to stay on top of the mind recall of your contact and close the business. So engage in conversations and make sure you follow up.

There is so much more to networking then turning up on the day. Do we turn up on time, feel rushed, are welcomed. Are we knowledgable and supportive. Do we remember people? A host of qualities before we have even arrived at our presentations. What I love is that there is always something to learn and also to be supportive. It's an evolving process and changes with every group.

I have always been a big believer in the power of networking, especially after moving to another country (Thailand). Networking has helped me establish solid business connections and introduced me to people who have become good friends over the years. Through my network, I have introduced companies that aren’t necessarily in my sector to one another.

Cuando veamos a alguien que está en la cima, lo que debemos decirle que es; bonita la vista desde ese punto alto, : me puedes decir como lo hiciste para yo aplicarlo a mi manera y ser tan grande como tú.

I believe in the power of role models and mentoring in networking. If you find someone who is already active and experienced in Networking you can take the shortcut. In my opinion, this support, coupled with the courage to try new things and think outside the box, is the ideal start to the networking process. Besides that I always recommend remaining human and authentic. People want to interact with real people and not some artificial figures. I also disagree with anyone who thinks they are not "exciting" enough to network. Everyone has skills, knowledge and stories that are worth sharing.

Remember that the best time for developing the network is not when you're looking for a job. The best time is when you don't need to find a job!

Before joining any online Networking community for expanding your business, you need to be very clear about the following - - What is your ultimate outcome for joining this networking community? - How can you contribute in giving value to the members of this community - What is your ask from the other members - How do you intend to stay connected and follow up with those members who connect with you - Are you looking for instant returns or do you have the patience to wait for results in a longer time frame Once you have clarity on the above aspects then only will you get the desired results and benefits from that online networking community.

Objetivos claros: Asegúrate de que cualquier decisión contribuya directamente a tus metas. Criterios específicos: Define claramente los aspectos que son importantes para ti, ya sean cualidades personales, habilidades o requisitos específicos. Prioridades: Identifica lo que es realmente esencial y prioriza en consecuencia. Consecuencias: Considera las posibles consecuencias, tanto positivas como negativas, antes de tomar una decisión. Compatibilidad: Asegúrate de que lo que estás seleccionando se alinee con tus valores y principios. Análisis de riesgos: Evalúa los riesgos asociados y si estás dispuesto a asumirlos. Al aplicar estos aspectos, podrás tomar decisiones más informadas y alineadas con tus metas y valores.

Knowing what outcome you want to achieve is the first step to build a strong network and how you are contributing to it to grow and you are growing . It has to be mutual.

In my experience whenever you enter a new industry Facebook and LinkedIn groups are always a great place to start. My first ever loan I closed was because I responded to a question in a Facebook group. Not only is it a great place to find leads in just about any industry its also a great place to learn, collaborate, and meet like minded individuals that could end up being business associates and even friends.