Is There Such a Thing as Smarter Social Networking?

To realize social networking’s potential, we need to become more active orchestrators of our social networks, setting the tone and drawing out others.

John Hagel III and John Seely Brown wrote a terrific blog for Harvard Business Review in which they shared Five Tips for Smarter Social Networking. They have contrarian advice (which I love).

The basics: We need to determine our social media strategy, where we’re going to play, and ways to invite others into our community. We’re not talking about a passive activity, but a proactive, intentional social media sales strategy. Many of the tips challenge conventional wisdom.

Their Five Tips:

• Express more vulnerability
• Mix professional and personal lives
• Provoke
• Promote others
• Actively seed, feed and weed

Intrigued?  I am.  Read the full HBR blog here.

What makes your social networking strategy work? Get social and participate in the No More Cold Calling community here.