Want to Ratchet Up Your Networking?

Ever wonder how to promote your business or blog well without "being in someone's face" as you market or network? Darren Rowse, ProBlogger, compiled a comprehensive list of strategies for both novices and those with some expertise who want growth. I don't know about you, but I have a way to go and I see savvy tools I want to try. Here's just a summary of Darren's ten suggestions in, How to promote your Blog through Networking

Be Generous - Be a giver and not a taker. Help others acheive goals, encourage them and go out of your way to work on their terms.

Don’t Expect too Much too Quick Let relationships grow naturally as you build trust and mutual understanding.

Look for the B-listers Approaching slightly less known bloggers can pay off because these bloggers are more likely to connect and still drive a lot of traffic.

Prove Yourself First People want to see of you're going to stick with it and that you really know what you are talking about. Show you're in it for the long haul and that your blog is making a contribution to the niche.

Persist But Don’t Annoy There's a lot of noise around the blogosphere so don't be offended if people don't respond - try again in a little while - but don't stalk.

Look in Neighboring Niches Networking with people outside my niche can be fruitful. Another way to be strategic is to not look for networking opportunities just with other bloggers on your topic - but with bloggers who share a similar demographic of reader.

Ask Questions When you become a person who asks others about their goals and objectives, where you know what their strengths and weaknesses are and where you know their dreams you not only create a good impression on them but you’ll be in a great position to know where your situation aligns with another person’s - this is where networking becomes most effective.

Become a Go-To Person and a Connector Attempt to draw others into the relationships you have. I find that people are particularly grateful to me when I can’t help them but point them to someone else who can.

Have an Elevator Pitch Develop a few key sentences that describe who you are, what you do and what you offer others. Another good elevator pitch is on what your blog is about. Having thought through these things will help others understand what you can bring to a relationship - but they will also help you understand that too. These can be used in email conversations.

Look for Points of Synergy I’ve found the most profitable relationships to be ones where there was a ’spark’ or ‘energy’ around our interaction - particularly where there was some sort of synergy around goals and objectives but also some sort of a connection when it comes to personality.

I would like to add two tips based on the way your brain operates.

Use People's Names Ever notice that when you use a person's name their eyes light up? Our names are important to us and when you use another blogger's name, rather than just adding to a converstion, you add to the recognition of that person. This triggers the brain horomone, serotonin to flow, and adds to their well-being... expecially when you encourage.

Specifically Name What Others Do Well You can add to the flow of serotonin just mentioned, by naming what another blogger does well. Several blogging friends make a practice of this through links to other people's good work. Such links put weight to their words.

What gems to do see in Darren's list for blogging or business? What would you add?