All photos courtesy of: www.johnmcolumbus.com

What is Twitter? www.twitter.com

Twitter is a social networking site that links people together — family, friends, and co-workers — Individuals, Companies and Brands.  You can use this site to communicate and share information with others.

How does it work?

The official answer:  Twitter is a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices.  In layman’s terms: Twitter asks you what are you doing right now, you answer and anyone following you can see your answer.

What is a Tweet?

A Tweet is a post you make to your twitter account.  When you sign into your account, Twitter asks, “What are you doing?” your answer is called a Tweet.  Tweets are short posts that everyone who is “following” you will be able to see.

If you have a personal account, your post might say something like “The kids did great at their swim meet today! John placed 3^rd and Michael got 1^st!” If you have a business account you might write something like “Big sale all weekend, mention twitter and save an extra 25%!”  A brand tweet might say,  “Dell’s 4^th quarter sales have been released see results at www.dell.com.”

Why Tweet?

More than anything Twitter is a way to keep people posted on what is happening with you, your life, your business, your brand, or just about anything that people might be interested in…

What is Following, and how do I follow someone?

Following refers to the people you have decided you want to follow.  Followers are the people who are following you.  A follower will receive updates on the person that they are following on their home page.

Who should I Follow?

That’s up to you. Following keeps you informed.  You can use this information for fun, business or research.

To follow someone, all you have to do is visit their twitter page (ex. www.twitter.com/HamdenChamber) and then click follow.  You can also search for people by using the find people link located at the top of your page. Once you follow someone, they are then notified by email that you are a follower, and you will start receiving that person’s Tweets.  That person will most likely follow you as well, so its a great way to network!

How do I set up an account?

1. Go to www.twitter.com

2. Click on Sign up Now!

3. Complete Required Information.

4. To Start following the Hamden Chamber of Commerce!

Search Hamden Chamber of Commerce and Click Follow!

5. Write your own updates and share news with others!

It’s that simple!

Networking is the art of creating connections and building relationships.  You build a network through the reciprocal process of giving and sharing referrals, contacts, information, business, leads, ideas, resources and advice.  That’s right, it’s a process, meaning it has a beginning, but in this case, it has no end. And, at its most powerful, it is built on the foundation of giving first.  Networking isn’t something you do now and then, like only at work; networking is a part of every aspect of your life.  In short, networking is a lifestyle. It is not a workstyle. You don’t turn it on or off. In fact, effective networkers don’t even realize they are networking. It just becomes a part of who they are. They are constantly and consistently sharing themselves. It involves a personal value, aligned with the supportive behavior of being ‘other focused.’  Relationship networkers understand that there is something bigger, better and smarter than any single one of us, and that is all of us. I believe the foundation of any great business is built with the collaborative effort. Success is achieved more quickly and seamlessly when we are helping each others. We all have a basic need to work together, and we know that, simply stated, working together works.”

Networking is not about keeping score; it’s not tit-for-tat. One of my favorite sayings is ‘give without remembering and take without forgetting.’ Assisting others doesn’t mean you have analyzed the person you are helping and discovered that he or she knows someone you would like to know. Instead it’s adopting a belief that sometimes the best networking comes from helping someone whom you know will never be able to pay you back.”

“Not What You Know, It’s Whom You Know”

Let me clarify something at the beginning: I am speaking to every professional – weather you own or manage a business or are an employee of a major corporation, you are your own business, you are the CEO of your career. Think of your career as You Inc. You are what you are marketing or selling. And, with the pace of change today, your future will depend less on what you know and more on whom you know. One of the greatest to your future success is to understand the power of developing your network. Make no mistake about it: Everyone who makes it has a network. So how does one develop a network? From networking of course! Network is a verb that signifies movement and action. Networking is the process of exchanging our intellectual capital-what and whom-we know-with others. The result of masterful networking, a network is not just a list of contacts either. Rather, the network is a bevy of connections that comes from carefully cultivated relationships.”

The old saying, you have to give in order to receive, has never been truer then when used in the context of relationship networking. You have to believe that networking is about sharing, and expect that it will not be an even exchange at first. As you look for ways to help others, trust that others will be looking for ways to help you. One thing I know for sure, if you are too busy to help others achieve success by helping them overcome through tough challenges or access transformational opportunities, then you’re just too busy, period. Keep focused on the larger picture, understanding some of our greatest rewards aren’t instant.”

“Anytime, Anywhere Is The Right Time And Place To Network”

So many people think they need to find the right place to network. There is no one right place, because you take networking with you wherever you go. Networking is something you do along the journey of life. Networking is a lifestyle you can practice anywhere and everywhere. Whether you are at an event, a restaurant, a nail or hair salon, an association meeting, in a check out line, or on an air plane, there is an opportunity to network, an opportunity to converse, connect, collaborate and create. It becomes part of you. You have to say to yourself, ‘I’m going to hang in there and be fine, even though not every interaction is going to be fruitful and provide results.’ But if you hang in there, the next time might bear fruit. You are planting seeds and you never know which seeds will sprout.”

Excerpt from Relationship Networking: The Art of Turning Contacts into Connections. Copyright 2006 by eWomenPublishingNetwork.

Sandra Yancey is the Founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork Inc. Her company is dedicated to promoting women in business worldwide. Established in 2000 eWomenNetwork is the fastest growing membership-based women’s business network in North America.