I think the fact that I have waited this long before I started seriously networking with my peers is proof for me that you cannot “do” before you “are”. In the past I knew I should be networking and using social media as part of my business but I just didn’t have the confidence in my marketing abilities and my ability to help others. That has changed now.

Although I have been adding content to my blog on a regular basis I have not been promoting it and using it as a social platform as much as I should. Again that is changing. Here are some of the steps I have taken to use my blog for networking:

I signed up to gravitars.com, so now people can see my mug shot when I comment on other peoples blogs.

I added the commentluv plug-in which is designed to encourage more people to comment because they know they will get a comment on their blog in return. I also signed up to the comluv site:  http://comluv.com

I added “mybloglog” to the sidebar on the lower right of the page and set up my own community on there (I’m currently a community of one, so do join my little community if you have the time )

I have added the top commentator plug-in so those who post regularly can gain exposure by being on the front page of a blog.

* Special thanks to Rob Canyon for the tips above: escapetoprosperity.com

The next step is to start commenting more on other peoples blogs and getting active in forums. Fortunately I am a member of Alex Jeffreys coaching and we have a really vibrant forum. But there are many more internet marketing related forums out there, I have listed a few below:

http://www.internetmarketingforums.net
http://www.warriorforum.com
http://www.wickedfire.com/
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/

For a more exhaustive list of forums (and it is Huge) visit: Internet Marketing Forums

Although be warned! As Jack Humphrey of the Friday Traffic Report says: “you can waste your entire life messing around on free forums. Before you go and check out new places to drop links and influence people, make sure you repeat this oath:

“I promise not to respond to “argument bait” posts, get dragged into pissing matches with the trolls, or believe everything I read on the forums.””

Sound advice I’m sure. And on that note I will wrap things up,  there is a lot more I can do to improve my networking and I will keep you updated with the results in the weeks ahead.

All the best,

Matt

Technorati Tags: Alex Jeffreys, Blogging Tips, commentluv, gravitars, Internet Marketing, internet marketing forums, Jack Humphrey, mybloglog, Networking

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