Customer Reviews

Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked this book. I thought it was well written and well outlined. I didn't really see anything new in it. But it presents its material pretty well with the following chapters:

0. Introduction
1. Leave your resistence at the door
2. Gain a new perspective
3. Be found, be personable, be credible
4. Wind up for the pitch
5. Reconnect with raving fans
6. Cultivate new alliances
7. Matter to people who matter to you
8. Perfect the art of the ask
9. Head for the limelight
10. Blog for business
11. Publish your perspectives
12. Leverage online communities
13. Ready, set, action
14. Closing thoughts

As far as networking goes and making your contacts count I have yet to find a book better than "Make Your Contacts Count (ISBN: 0814474020). But the instant book being reviewed touches on the material that book covers and includes some information about online networking, too. Two other books that cover online networking that have received some praise are: "Happy About Online Networking" (ISBN: 1600050158), and "The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking).

As I read "Smart Networking" I couldn't help but be reminded of another book I read a couple of years ago: "Get Slightly Famous" (ISBN: 0972002170). I think if you are serious about networking and becoming skilled at it, then the book being reviewed and all the books I mention in this review would be wonderful reading. Read one book on a subject and you may get something out of it. But read three or more books on a subject and you can consider yourself an expert.

I don't know that I would recommend the instant book being reviewed as a stand-alone tome on its subject matter. But it is a good book. And a worthwhile read. 4 stars!

I'm Gary Perman, a headhunter that owns a boutique firm that provides critical management for technology companies throughout North America.
This is a great book for the novice as well as the experienced networker.
It guides the novice through step by step networking methods as well as
Gives the reasons "why" one networks and the benefits received from networking.
The experienced networker will learn some great advanced networking methods
As well as pick up many nuggets of Gold to use at professional and social events,
On-line, and over the phone. I've been networking for years and found this book
Contains a tremendous amount of ideas I could put to use immediately.
This book is well worth your time.

I liked the fact that this book starts with a notion that networking is a natural thing to do, not some game to play, and that you will be most successful it from a standpoint of "authenticity". It combines a combination of practical things that you think we'd all know, but don't, combined with what I thought are some very useful new ideas about using the internet in all it's forms. It's not a great book to kick back with on the beach (unless it's time to be looking for a new job), but is an excellent read if you are feeling like you've been consumed by your job and not very connected with the broader professional world. I thought it was an easy and perfect read for a three hour plane ride. Glad someone took the time to put this all in one easy to read place.

I bought and read Liz's book (in one sitting) and, while I am not in a networking mode now nor expect to be for some time, if ever, I did find some utility in the work for myself and can certainly recommend it to others without reservation.

First it was short and to the point. Secondly, the wrap up and implementation in the last chapter would be very useful for those who wish to follow the guidelines in the former chapters. This last chapter should be used as a model for all of the self-help books genre.
Too many of such books "leave you hanging" in the end as to how to implement the advice contained therein.

What I personally found useful were the sections on electronic networking and am expanding, modifying and improving my online profiles following Liz's guidelines. Again, I am doing so without specific goals in mind, but it is very important to gain control of your online presence and Liz is an expert in that area.

In summary, Deborah Gibson has a song entitled "Can't Do It Alone" (off of the "Think with Your Heart" album , 1995, EMI Records) and a case can be made that networking is, for many people, a lifetime pursuit. For those who follow this philosophy or for who don't but are in need of networking now, this work is an essential read. How much you get out of it depends both on the level your personal networking needs and how much effort you put into following Liz's excellent and very usable advice and methodologies.

Professor John W. Kercheval, III
Washington, DC

So much has been written about networking that it's hard to see how any book could add to the existing publications. Liz Lynch does review some basic concepts but adds a twist of her own.

Some good points:

Lynch introduces a networking mindset that many will find helpful. Sure, it's social, she says, but you might as well admit you have goals.

I enjoyed her success stories, especially her use of the Blog Squad as an example of trust-building online. (The two have now moved in new, separate directions.) Her discussion of groups is more objective than most.

The section on online marketing, especially the use of ezines and social media, is exceptionally thorough and accurate.

On the downside, I think it's increasingly difficult to use speaking as a means to build networks. More and more organizations will invite you to speak only if you belong to the organization. Frankly, this approach doesn't make sense. I would think a group would want to gain information from an expert, who might not be eligible for the group. A group of accountants, for instance, would benefit from hearing a talk by an Internet marketing pro.

The only missing topic was a discussion of who will best benefit from which kinds of networking. Lynch mentions that her web designer used BNI. I've found that certain fields benefit from BNI more than others; if your fellow members easily understand your service, and know why it's important, you may do well.

Leads groups like BNI almost deserve a separate chapter. Lynch is right when she warns that groups vary a great deal and they're pretty intense. One challenge I had was that I don't necessarily want to recommend fellow group members. And if you're not actively connected to your community, you will have trouble fulfilling your group obligations.

And while experts like to claim that anyone can learn to network, I'm convinced that some people are more naturally skilled than others. You need a certain temperament or else a combination of motivation and discipline to learn to act as though you had that temperament. It's easier online because you have time to strategize; you can even hire someone to ghost your networking for you (and it's done all the time).

That said, I'd have no qualms about recommending Smart Networking for business and career growth. I rated the book "5 stars" because it's one of the best I've seen on the treacherous subject of networking.

The book's subject matter certainly appeared aggressive promising "Networking results 24/7" and how to "attract a following in person and online."
A couple of warning flags go up right away. The book's presentation seemed gimmicky right off the bat with its proclamations in bold letters or the promise to "Access FREE reader resources" on the author's website. Having come across the same thing in several other, perhaps coincidentally weak, books the presence of quotations at the top of each chapter from famous characters also added to the misgiving. The most discouraging however, was the back cover proclaiming the author to not only be a writer, but also a developer of networking products, career accelerator, consultant, keynote speaker and founder of the "Center For Networking Excellence." Author Liz Lynch will justify the omni-directionally and exponentially growing universe soon enough and incorporate these activities, in what she deems, as a necessity in her concise book, but as a general comment could the whole `life-style' and `branding' imagery be a turn-off? Who isn't tired of actors who record albums, CEOs who run for office, crooners who get parts in movies, rappers who design clothing and have fashion shows and talk show hosts with magazines? Indeed, Gwyneth Paltrow was just on TV reviewing gourmet food in Spain. It is de rigueur but by now also so corny and cheesy, yet as mentioned Liz Lynch goes on to insist it is all part of the plan she advocates. Indeed, the author advertises for herself and her website often and the book is full of self-references, but that could be taken in two ways. She justifies much of it in Chapter 9, Head For The Limelight.

Smart Networking quickly earns its stripes by doing a couple of things correctly. Firstly, the book is systematic. Liz Lynch consistently outlines the steps needed in sequence. Secondly, she provides specific examples of what she means. She provides these in quotation marks. Here is an example of a sentence one can use as a template: "I work with many different types of clients, but most of my work lately has been with professional service firms." These two features establish that Liz Lynch is knowledgeable in her subject matter and is serious about imparting the knowledge to her readers in a way that would help.

Her system splits the book into sections about:

1- Connecting with one's self (how to develop the right mindset)
2- Connecting One-to-one (having the skills to take advantage of interactions and bringing value)
3- Connecting One-to-many (by leveraging the tools and means) and finally
4- to do what is right and putting it all into action.

In the course of the book, one learns how to be smarter in networking, how to use the concept of leverage to generate revenue and how skill plus will yield success. She also seeks to comfort and reassure the readers by recalling how she was nervous and ruffled when she began networking, something that surely should relieve many. There is some repetition here, but there are several solid ideas as well. The author expounds on her suggestions to draw people in using one's expertise, ideas (for example, as relates to the many laws and regulations in place), going to where like-minded people are (including co-workers), raising one's profile (leveraging blogs, e-newsletters, Facebook, Linkedin and others as well as giving speeches or volunteering, working at sign-in or as a guide depending on one's level of shyness) and also to introduce people to resources and others and to assist where possible. Much to her credit, she similarly advocates returning favours, giving and helping others whenever it is possible to do so. Not much of it is revolutionary of course, indeed much of it is elementary, but the specifics only add to Lynch's insistence that networking is a process and should be progressive. The book does mention that MySpace is bigger than Facebook, which is no longer true, but later in the book the author does admit that things are dynamic and change all the time in the Internet sphere.
One side issue is the persistent misuse of grammar. Perhaps it wouldn't be an issue if the phrase `network smart' weren't such a core mantra for the author. Has her copy editor not heard of adverbs? Or is accuracy and language subservient to catchiness? It might be a personal qualm, but grammatical mistakes always detract from identifying the writer as an expert.

She devotes a special chapter (and more) to the Internet and strongly encourages one to leverage it as much as possible. Aside from signing up for the aforementioned websites and interacting, Lunch suggests one's blog be cross-pollinated with one's website. The blog is to include regular updates, surveys, and questions for readers, ideas from other posts and blogs, photos/videos, guest authors, interviews and links. Blogging is not only a pro-actively positive tool, but is also indispensable given how the competition is doing it. She supports contributing to ezinearticles dot c om and signing up for Google Alerts as a means of gaining ideas to write about. She also details tips for the e-zine/e-newsletter she suggests successful networkers need to set up.

The Internet's transformation into a marketing tool or the inevitability of the need to network "24/7" aside then Smart Networking succeeds because it is systematic, specific, provides an actual worksheet and is up-to-date.

So, I am off to get my `personal' cards...

Author Liz Lynch created the perfect book for me in "Smart Networking". I'm at a point in my life where I'm making career changes, moving onward and upward and though some say I have a natural style about me I'm a pretty introverted person. I've gone from a published poet and songwriter to fiction author, blogger, writing interviews and book reviews, promoter and now literary agent. I'm at a point where networking is a MUST. I need to find that IN. I read "Smart Networking" Attract A Following In Person And Online in one sitting. This book is so INFORMATIVE and STRATEGIC that I want back highlighted key points and made notes. It motivated me to jump onto my sites and start revising my profile to stand out more and make them more personal as well. Now we'll just have to wait and see if the book does the trick. Come network with me! GREAT BOOK LIZ!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Networking is the most important, and sometimes most difficult, aspect of the job hunt. Lucky for all of us, Liz Lynch has made it a little easier by offering a guide for job seekers, entrepreneurs and careerists with her terrific book, Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online.

If you don't like networking, this book is for you! I thought Liz's analogy that networking is like exercise was perfect: "Some people love it, but for many, it's something they know they must do for good long-term health." If you are a reluctant networker or consider it unsavory, you'll want to read a book by someone who admits that she rarely speaks to people on airplanes! Liz allows for everyone's individual networking style and needs; she addresses all of them in her book.

Liz notes the importance of thinking of networking as relationship building, not as transactions between people. She reminds readers that there are many great ways to network, and that one of the best ways to build your "networking gravity" - "the force that draws people automatically into your world with whom you have the greatest potential to build mutually beneficial relationships" is by introducing people to each other!

I'm a big proponent of being a connector, someone who enjoys linking people together for their advantage. I love how Liz explains the importance of having a "long tail" online. Extending your reach via social networking broadens your circle of influence and allows you to consciously and generously add value to others by introducing them to contacts in your circle. By doing so, you open the door to untold numbers of opportunities.

Not only does Liz offer great tips (such as: write notes on the back of YOUR business card when you hand it to someone), she also offers suggestions of networking plans customized to your own needs and preferences. She also reminds us that there is no "magic bullet."

The bottom line - networking IS here to stay. The marketplace will continue to be competitive, and if you bury your head in the sand and try to avoid networking, you will lose out on a lot of opportunities. Liz closes her book with a quote by Jack Canfield, "When you lift others up, they will lift you up." This is so true. Being known as someone who helps and supports others, be it in the workplace or elsewhere, is a high honor and doorway to success.

Give generously, don't keep score and follow Liz's tips and you may be surprised at the results!

In BusinessCast podcast episode #92 - Networking for Entrepreneurs, Robert and I interviewed the inspiring networking guru and author of Smart Networking, Liz Lynch. She shared some of the background and core lessons that can be found in her book. But, do we think that her book is going to become the new networking benchmark? Short answer: yes!

Here's a rapid book evaluation and review which outlines why this is an important resource for any busy entrepreneur looking for practical tools they can use in the short- and long-term. Specifically, Smart Networking:

1) Identifies and addresses the most common obstacles to effective networking. For the most part, these obstacles are ways that people feel about -- and therefore approach -- networking. Smart Networking addresses these mental blocks head-on rather than avoiding or ignoring them. This is a refreshing approach that will appeal to anyone who hesitates with the prospect of networking (pgs 11-32).

2) Succinctly outlines a straight forward approach to ensuring networking success: be found, be personable and be credible. This foundation may sound simplistic but, the reality is that everyone can build on at least one of these principles (pgs 33-44).

3) Provides practical and foundation-setting tools that can be used by every current or budding entrepreneur regardless of industry (pgs 45-62).

4) Identifies actionable strategies that entrepreneurs can implement based on their own skills, willingness, availability and budgets (pgs 63-119).

5) Addresses available online tools and communites as a method to optimize networking efforts and results (pgs 120-164).

6) Outlines a realistic and measurable networking plan (pgs 165-177).

Bottom Line for Entrepreneurs: Smart Networking is a critical networking tool -- ideal for those who want to begin or hone their networking activities. Also, check out Liz's site which complements the book with tools including an initial (and free) self-assessment. For the BusinessCast "take" on any small/medium-sized business issue or resource, listen to the BusinessCast podcast -- at iTunes or visit www.BusinessCast.ca/archives.

This book is a great resource for those of us who love meeting new people but dread the thought of old-school, nametag-wearing networking events. Liz Lynch is the master of the newer, smarter, more authentic ways of connecting. She has tons of great tips for building a strong network through both online and in-person strategies. In today's challenging job market, you can't afford to not know about Liz's methods.