EPC’s, CTR’s and eCPM’s are all crucial numbers that make the online marketer’s day go round. It is through these numbers that our ROI and the key to our financial success in the online media space will ultimately be determined. But after 10, 12, even 18 hours of number crunching every day, do you long for something more? We as online marketers tend to get lost in our own calculations, often overlooking one of the greatest fundamentals that we’ve known since middle school: The importance of Networking.
While numbers can speak for themselves, the overall value of Networking has a slightly less obvious, yet substantially significant return. Take a look at the infancy stages of any one of your business relationships. Now take a look at that same relationship after you’ve spoken on the phone a few times, exchanged laughs over dinner, maybe even shared photos of loved ones. You’ve now taken that business relationship to the next level, not only personally but most likely monetarily as well. Psychologists express the importance of relating to others on a personal level. We as human beings long for acceptance, and are drawn toward those which we can relate to. While we consciously choose to interact with those who have similar interests in our personal lives, we tend to overlook that same importance in our professional lives.
You may be asking yourself, “How can I possibly find the time to take on yet another task and incorporate Networking into my daily routine?” There are hundreds of networking opportunities available in the industry, many that you may even come across on a daily basis but tend to overlook as a valuable factor towards your company’s success. Begin by determining what particular networking avenue is most appealing to you personally, while still remaining beneficial to your company.
- Joining an online professional organization is one of the easiest ways to get both your company and yourself known throughout the industry. Many organizations ask for volunteers to contribute to weekly newsletters, seek guest speakers for industry conferences, and may even host seasonal events for their members. Such memberships provide a great way to get involved with those who have the same professional interests as you.
- Do you have an interest in expressing yourself creatively? Starting a blog and contributing just 10 minutes a day is an excellent way to share your knowledge, humor, and expertise while getting your name into the space. While the obvious critics may lure, many will relate to you immediately through your writing and sense of humor. Does the thought of writing terrify you, sending you back to book reports in the 7th grade? Simply subscribing to an RSS feed of an existing blog is a great way to stay informed, and provides you with an alternate avenue in meeting other subscribers that hold your same passion and interests.
- Do you long for social interaction? Check out professional groups and organizations in your local community. While an online organization may initially sound more suitable for this particular industry, you may be surprised at just how many local companies are also involved in the space. The opportunity for your next partnership could be waiting for you next door!
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