Today I participated in a presentation and panel discussion of the benefits of using social online media for business. Thanks to David Haslam, Daninelle Zhu, and Brenda Meller for putting together a great presentation that was featured at the TLI Meeting @ U of M, Dearborn Campus today. Danielle talked about using Twitter, Brenda educated on Linked-In, and I got one of my favorite topics, Facebook!

I would not have had the opportunity to speak on the subject today in front of a new audience, if it weren't for the connections that I have been able to create through networking, both off and online.
I also connected with a woman today featured in Gary Vaynerchuck's (Wine Expert, Video Blogger) keynote speech that I watched last week. I somehow found her twitter account, clicked follow, and got a direct message back about her 100,000 worldwide hugs campaign that I had read about last week. The world is getting smaller, and we are getting more connected. This technology is here to stay.

Can you please help us spread the message that there is a way to connect locally (when I say locally, I would include southeastern lower Michigan) through our InSights Group website? Take a quick moment to email someone you know, the instructions are to visit www.InSights-Group.com and Click Connect to create a free profile. Who do you know that may benefit from making connections with our amazing community here in Livingston County? We'd love to get every local business profiled on our website, and continue to create awesome connections, great opportunities, and more positive energy flowing through! The online community is free, and it opens doors like you can't imagine!

As an aside, I am teaching the next web training @ InSights on Monday, 1/26 from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. The cost is $20, or free if you have your golden ticket from our anniversary celebration.

My final request for today, please share your networking stories? Who have you met, or who have you connected with through both on and offline networking? I'd love to hear, and perhaps incorporate your stories into some of my teaching opportunities.

We had a day full of networking opportunities and meetings at InSights today, and in Ann Arbor as we attended the ACE ‘09 Entrepreneur event, then travelled back to Brighton to wrap up the day with a Toastmasters meeting. I overheard a conversation from a woman who was wondering when she would have time to get any work done. Interesting question, considering I have the same dilemma. So, here we are late at night and I am writing a blog post, twittering, and updating my facebook account. Where does the balance come in to the in person social activites that are so important for growing our contact spheres? Does anyone have any advice on their strategy and how to keep it all simple?