A network is a connection of people whom you can tap for help, and those you would help without hesitation.

It’s a support system and they’re an asset; they’re your community.

Building a network is easy in theory but hard in practice. If you’ve done something to earn the trust of another, if you’ve kept a promise, or delivered as requested, you’re networking.

Don’t confuse this with making “friendlies” – people who share your “friendship” online but have no real or tangible relationship to you.

I have a network of the most fantastic hair suppliers in the world. From the start we were in the same industry.

Not too long ago I needed some Amphigory wigs. I couldn’t get them, because Amphigory does not ship to Canada, where I am.

But Sarah, of ikickshins.net does. And I pinged her one day, out of the blue, and asked for for a huge favour – if she could buy the wigs for me and ship them out.

I told her I’d pay her a finder’s fee for the hassle. She wouldn’t take a cent more.

This is the power of a network. From afar, it may look like Sarah and I are competition – we’re in the same industry selling similar products. But competitors don’t refer work to each other, don’t link each other and certainly don’t support each other in public forums.

No – we’re allies. And that’s the power of a network.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm and is filed under networking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.