San Marcos —

I bet that you've gained a customer or two over the years because a friend, business associate or family member made a recommendation on your behalf.  This kind of social networking takes place every day, on the golf course, during committee meetings, at church, at networking events and in all the other “traditional places.”  But in today's busy business world, there are new ways to reach out and make business contacts.  And some of them don't even require a handshake.

MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites allow you to connect online with people you know, and through them, to others.  And how hard can it be? Our children are doing it every day. Nine years ago I was the chamber president in Athens.  My college intern at the time met her future husband online.  

Folks, this was Athens.  It was a small town.  Everyone knew everyone.  Her future husband lived next door to me. When I found out that they had met online I knew at once that something extraordinary was happening on the Web and that the way people interact with each other and meet new people would never, ever, be the same again.

Most social networking sites that are out there today are not geared towards business, but they do offer you a chance to at least engage in some low-cost (or even free) marketing, which you shouldn't pass up.  But the world of social networks is evolving and new opportunities are coming online each day. Personally, I recommend LinkedIn, a popular site primarily focused on helping businesses make business-related contacts.  After you join the site, (membership is fee), and create your profile, you can invite people to join your “network.”

As you begin to expand the list of direct contacts, and your contacts do the same, you grow your network of potential connections.  The site shows your direct contacts and their contacts.  That's where the old “circle of influence rule” comes in.  They say everyone is three people removed from someone famous?  Take that a step further, and many of your friends and associates have business contacts that you would like to meet.  This is a great place to do that. In addition, a selection of other site members who've worked or studied where you did also appears on your page, helping you find lost friends and colleagues.

Where LinkedIn really excels is by enabling you to limit and change the information that is visible to others and the contacts that you are willing to accept.  It allows you to post what amounts to an online resume and is a great tool for keeping your career fresh and marketable.  It is also gaining widespread acceptance and has proven, for me personally, to be a great conduit for reconnecting with former business contacts who have moved on. Recently, I was contacted by a software developer (who had created a previous chamber's Web site) and who is now working in LA for DreamWorks Animation, a major film company in Hollywood.  You just never know who will turn up on your LinkedIn network.

Whether you have a burning business question, are looking to create a new business opportunities across the county or across the country, or to make a new hire, being able to turn to people you know and trust can be a good thing.

Best of all, with online networking you don't have to know which fork to use, what the dress code is or whether you have enough business cards.

The San Marcos Chamber has its own LinkedIn group for members - a free site where members can get updated on chamber events, share news stories, business tips, promote their own events, etc.  Members are encouraged to get LinkedIn and use this free resource to promote their business.  

And for those that are not comfortable with online social networking?  On Friday Feb. 19, the San Marcos Chamber will be hosting another free LinkedIn training for chamber members.  The training session is limited to the first 15 participants to sign up. Members are encouraged to bring a laptop along to the session and set up their profile during the training. So if you have hesitated to take advantage of this new technology, now is the time to make it happen.  In a free, low stress setting.  

The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is focused on business, focused on you. Check us out on the Web atwww.sanmarcostexas.com .