June 16, 2009

Face-to-Face vs. Online Networking

Posted in Commercial Real Estate, global marketing/PR, social media networking, Twitter tagged architect, Atlantic Station, career, Dolce, eco-friendly, environment, Facebook, green, industry, LinkedIn, marketing, new job, non-profit, PR, reconnect, story, sustainable, Twitter at 3:24 pm by lcochran

A couple of weeks ago I had a friend join me at the Type-A event at Dolce-Atlantic Station. The networking event brings together professionals in the commercial real estate, “green” and other industries who have the gumption to care about the environment. I was able to reconnect with those whom I had met while doing PR for the last firm where I worked but met a couple new people.

My friend (a trained architect), who is NEVER star struck, met her “rock star”, a developer who is transforming Atlanta with his out-of-the-box sustainable development ideas. I had never seen this “giddy as a school girl” glow about her the entire time I’ve known her. After meeting and chatting with “Mr. X”, he moved on to mingle with others…and left.

As my friend and I were about to leave, I was approached by the aformentioned “couple people” chatting about business. The next thing I knew, my friend came over and said she was going to dinner with Mr. X. My friend had impressed Mr. X so much that as he was walking to his car, he went back to get her and take her to dinner. My friend started at Mr. X’s firm last week, with a permanent position, when she had initially offered to be his intern for the summer (did I mention she has over 10 years experience and getting a master’s degree?).

The two people I met…one I had lunch with the next day and he requested a proposal for PR work, launching his new product…decision is still pending, but I hear it’s between me and two huge firms in NYC. The other, referred me to a non-profit coordinator who needs assistance with marketing and PR. We are in talks about doing pro bono work.

My point: With all the opportunities social networking presents, it seems that staying online still has not replaced the need and value of old-fashioned, face-to-face networking. Two opportunities for business arose for me in two hours of networking vs. the countless hours spent on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Maybe I’m not doing the social networking “thing” correctly?

My friend was hesitant to go because she thought her story was not very interesting. Someone is always interested in your story, it’s just how you present it. Remember, it only takes meeting that one person to turn the tables around.

So RUN, don’t walk, to your next networking event, even if it’s not in your industry. You never know who you are going to meet!

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