Happy About Online Networking: The virtual-ly simple way to build professional relationships (Paperback)

~ Liz Ryan (Author) "Congratulations to you - and welcome to the world of online networking!..." (more)
Key Phrases: online networking etiquette, online networkers, contact request, Happy About Online Networking, Getting Started, Understanding the Online Network (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Job-seekers, business-developers, and all sorts of professionals are exploring the fast-growing world of online networking. But how do you plunge into the online networking sphere, and how do you gain value from it? HAPPY ABOUT ONLINE NETWORKING outlines the tools, methods, and protocols of creating and cultivating an online network for global reach, business and personal support, and professional success. From how to introduce yourself to how to disengage from an unproductive networking relationship, HAPPY ABOUT ONLINE NETWORKING covers all the bases.

After reading this book, you will:
1) Lose your fear of online networking or of `looking foolish' online
2) Make connections and know how to sustain them over time
3) Improve your business and professional success through online networking

From the Publisher

Whether you're a novice, intermediate or advanced online networker, this book will teach you some trick you didn't know before.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Happy About (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600050158
• ISBN-13: 978-1600050152
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #677,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Benefits of Online Networking, February 5, 2007

By	Norman Goldman "Editor of Bookpleasures.com" (Montreal) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Over the past several years there has been a great deal of hype as to how the Internet has changed our lives. To a certain extent there is some validity to some of these claims, however, for the most part many of these should be taken with a grain of salt. One topic, however, that has not been fully explored is that of the benefits of online networking-something that I personally can attest to as being beneficial in providing a more efficient, cheaper and better way to conduct business.

Liz Ryan, author of Happy About Online Networking: The Virtual-ly simple way to build professional relationships presents in a clear a precise manner a map in which professional relationships can be built through online networking. For readers who are not sure what exactly is online networking, Ryan defines it as "a set of activities associated with creating and nurturing business relationships via the Internet. In other words, it is just a process where individuals take advantage of the tools and resources provided by the Internet to further their business and personal relationships."

Ryan's 124 page user-friendly manual is divided into nine chapters that help us understand how to use the Internet in our business networking. Some of the topics covered are the myths of what online networking can do, online networking as it pertains to its benefits in running and growing your business, email groups, list-servs, etiquette rules, integration of online and offline networks, developing your persona online, international networking, cultivating your network, using online networking to solve problems, creating an online plan, and networking resources. At the end of each of her chapters, Ryan provides a brief sum up pertaining to the key points discussed.

Ryan is a very strong proponent of the web site Linkedln and as a result has devoted a great deal of ink to this site and its benefits. Linkedln is one of the most well-known networking sites that primarily focus on business relationships. In fact, I have to admit that although I was registered with LinkedIn, prior to reading Ryan's manual I never understood how it works and its benefits. One bone of contention I have with Ryan is that she states that we should stay away from [...] which she describes as a popular social networking site for teens. This was probably the case when the site first commenced operations, however, it can now effectively be used by authors, musicians and many others.

There is no doubt that Happy About Online Networking: The Virtual-ly simple way to build professional relationships delivers in equipping us with the gear in helping us comprehending online networking and how beneficial it can be if we incorporate it into our everyday business activities.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone can learn from this book, November 15, 2006

By	Mitchell Levy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're reading this review, you can learn from this book. If you're reading this review, it means that you're participating in the online world.

The question to ask yourself is, do you know the right way? Whether your a beginner or advanced networker, there are bits of information you will use from this book. Liz Ryan did a great job synthesizing the essence of online networking.

I consider myself an advanced online networker. I practice a lot of the techniques Liz espouses in her book, however, not all. In reading through her various top-10 techniques, inevitably, 20% of her tips were ones that I've either thought about and had not practiced or haven't realized I should be doing.

As a beginner networker, this book is filled with nuggets to be read, digested, and practiced.

Great job!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect intro or refresher for anyone networking today, October 19, 2007

By	L. Stukel (Oak Park IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Happy About Online Networking is a quick, smart and focused guide to building a network online. It is built on the basic fundamentals of networking (either face to face or online). I found it to be a one stop shop for how to do ALL networking right, and a much needed guide to using various online networking sites more efficiently, especially LinkedIn. I had no clue what to do with my first LinkedIn invitation. For me, after finishing the book I was able to immediately apply tips to identify which invitations to accept and decline & why, reach out to my network to get a business problem solved and connect with past colleagues.

The book is also excellent for anyone just getting started with online networking such as a recent college grad or someone launching a new business. I also think it would be extremely helpful for someone looking to retool/rebrand him or herself. For example, my husband has been with the same employer since he graduated college nearly 20 years ago. This book has all the resources for him under one cover to refresh what he learned about networking in college, as well as tips to help him seek out resources in a new industry and then highlight his new professional persona online.

I have worked with Liz in her past roles as a VP of HR and Exec Director of a large list-serve community. She draws on these and other elements of her rich and extensive background to stress the fundamentals of networking (especially with a focus on job hunting or building business contacts) and apply it towards accomplishing objectives online.

The environmment I worked in with Liz required saavy networking in an ever-changing environment to get things done. I am grateful for the lesson I learned then, at an early point in my career - that the best tactic for successful networking is by seeking mutual success between yourself and your network. Liz hits this important point throughout the book - networking is about the give and take of sustaining relationships and not just a one-way request to accomplish a specific task. Then she provides steps to be successful networking online.

The only suggestion I have for future versions would be to address sites such as Meetup which tend to be more focused on personal interests (health, family, politics, geographical location, etc) as opposed to the more business-focused tools.