Comments on: Virtually Painless Networking

By: TraceyDevlyn

TraceyDevlyn — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:46:42 +0000

Hi Jerrie,

We’re so glad you stopped by and hope to see you again in the future.

Take care,
Tracey

By: Kelsey Browning

Kelsey Browning — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:30:56 +0000

Laurel -

Sorry to take so long to reply. I keep track of contacts in a couple ways. 1. Business cards from National for sure. 2. I keep most of my business contact in MS Outlook. In my past life as a fundraiser and job developer, I used what’s called a CMS (contact management system) where you can track all your interactions with someone. This type of software is often used by salespeople. I’d love to have contact management software again, but can’t quite justify the cost right now.

For our VPs, I create a “tickler” system in Outlook to remind me when to contact each one. I’m happy to provide more info on managing contacts if anyone is really interested. I’m not perfect in keeping in touch, but I do try to do the main things I mentioned in this post.

Happy holidays!
Kels

By: Kelsey Browning

Kelsey Browning — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:26:20 +0000

Barbara -

Sorry for the late reply. I’m still out of the country and i’net has been spotty (and non-existent).

As Tracey said, RU has been an absolute labor of love and we’re looking forward to an amazing year in 2010! We value the “networking” we do with both our VPs and our readers.

Thanks so much for hanging out with us at RU!
Kelsey

By: Jerrie Alexander

Jerrie Alexander — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:51:08 +0000

Great advise. And boy do I need to be shoved out of the nest! I’ve learned a lot from many different online loops but tend to stay in the background.

You were spot on about making friends at conferences. I have two wonderful long distance friends I met at different conferences. We stay in touch and look forward to seeing each other down the road.

I’ll try my best to speak out and contribute going forward! Thanks for the post.

By: Laurel Kahaner

Laurel Kahaner — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:29:04 +0000

Hi Kelsey,

Thank you for your post. How do you keep track of all the people you encounter all the writerly way?

Best,

Laurel

By: Tracey Devlyn

Tracey Devlyn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:35:52 +0000

Thank you, Barbara! I’m so glad you’re enjoying RU.

Our guest bloggers are so generous with their time (and knowledge) and we love interacting with readers.

Happy Holidays!

By: Barbara Ann

Barbara Ann — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:38:45 +0000

LOVED the story of how y’all met. Perhaps it will motivate me to get back out there … been hibernating on the networking front and need a nudge to get me out there blogging instead of reading on these blustery cold nights. Books are my friends, and I just love curling up with a cup of chai and a great read!

Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank each and every one who contributes regularly to RU. Even when time crunches and I don’t post, it is always a WONDERFUL break to drop in here and read the posts. You folks do an AWESOME job, and I truly appreciate it each and every visit.

Happy holiday!

By: Tracey Devlyn

Tracey Devlyn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:17:29 +0000

Yes, Carrie, it is amazing how the three of us met and hit it off. I’ve had many blessings over this past year, and I count Kelsey and Adrienne (and RU!) among them.

Tracey

By: Adrienne Giordano

Adrienne Giordano — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:49:17 +0000

Great article, Kels. My attitude toward networking is everything is an opportunity to make a friend or business contact. I have made some terrific friends through my online loops and have never met them face to face.

You never know who you might meet!

By: Kelsey Browning

Kelsey Browning — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:37:41 +0000

Carrie -

Now, if you could only find an avatar dressed like that! Glad you’re already using some virtual networking opportunities.

Some of these techniques are basic, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t use them. Networking doesn’t have to be hard; you just have to be diligent about it!

K-