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Thoughts on Networking and Online Friendships
September 22, 2005
If you had told me a year ago that I would end up meeting a lot of people through my on-line endeavours, I would have said, "You've got to be kidding."
It's not that meeting friends and associates online is foreign to me. I met my best friend through an email group for writers seven years ago. She lives in another country, has shared my life's ups and downs and is the one I turn to whenever things happen and I need to talk. We've never met in person, although every Christmas huge packages wing their way across the border.
But affiliate marketing doesn't really evoke images of meeting people. And "networking" has never been a strength of mine.
Yet somehow, through this blog and through the various Internet marketing forums, I've managed to make some very good online friends. Friends like Gail, Chrissie, Tara and Teli. (No, Gail hasn't caught the blogging bug yet).
I've also gotten involved in some interesting ventures, some of which never did quite get off the ground, some which are in development and some which are ongoing.
Forums and blogs are a good way of meeting other people who share your interest in affiliate marketing. Use that PM function on the forums you read, and make comments on blogs that catch your interest. Take your time, be careful and don't jump into "online relationships" too quickly, but don't be too quick to dismiss the idea, either.
I've received such motivation, inspiration and support from the people I've met online. Through them I've discovered new techniques and I've come so far and learned so much. And if you had asked me about stuff like this a year ago, I probably would have laughed and said, "not likely - it just doesn't sound like me."
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Posted by BJ at 11:43 PM in Web Publisher's Life | Permalink
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Comments
I have also had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people online that have become very close friends. I have also been lucky enough to meet a handful of them in person too!
It's quite amazing when you can just read someone's blog and realize you have so much in common with them, someone who is a stranger and probably half way across the world.
I am so glad I met you, Tara and got to talk to Gail even. And funny enough, Teli is my neighbor, we live within minutes to each other!
Posted by: Chrissie | Sep 23, 2005 1:56:05 AM
PS. Gail really needs to get a blog - I really think that would be a fun one to read ;)
Posted by: Chrissie | Sep 23, 2005 1:56:37 AM
I agree whole heartedly! I've told Eric a bunch of times how glad I met you and Chrissie, and tell him (probably BORE him... lol) daily about stuff we talk about and cool things you ladies say.
Oh, and Gail - it's blog time baby!! lol
Tara :)
Posted by: Tara | Sep 23, 2005 10:38:19 AM
A little bird told me my name was being mentioned, so I jogged over to check it out.
Guys, I have a personal confession to make...you see, I was born without a single blogging bone in my body. It's a very sad situation and one that has caused me considrable consternation of late.
Of course, it went completely unrecognized as a problem until relatively recently as blogging simply wasn't a phenomena until the past few years.
I have consulted specialists and I may have good news. It seems that I do indeed qualify for a blogging bone implant. Sadly though, it is an elective surgery and my internet insurance won't pay. We are currently in negotiations so I am hopeful we will be able to work something out and I will be able to join all y'all rabid bloggers soon.
So, please take it easy on me. If negotiations fall through with my internet insurance company, I may need therapy to ease the trauma. ;)
Posted by: Gail | Sep 25, 2005 9:36:13 AM
P.S. I just wanted to add, before anyone starts feeling TOO sorry for me, that you will notice that although I am shockingly without a blogging bone, nature has made up for that omission by gifting me with a more-than-my-fair-share load of cr@p. Isn't nature wonderful? :D
Posted by: Gail | Sep 25, 2005 10:18:57 AM
I guess we can take it easy on you until you here back from your internet insurance company ;)
I have faith that they will be able to implant the blog bone with relatively little effort.
Boy do I know about cr@p! Maybe thats why we all get along so well ;)
Posted by: Chrissie | Sep 27, 2005 1:40:17 PM
