LinkedIn and other social and business networking websites have found their place in our society. The past few years have seen an explosive and exponential growth of many such online networks. In the beginning most people were skeptical about them, but now they are not only here to stay, but they offer opportunities we never had before.

Since I began building my online network I have helped my connections to get jobs, sell their goods and services, and get their family members referred to medical specialists; I in turn have made new clients (and friends) and helped to raise the profile of Ontario CGAs in the financial community. Take a minute to have a look at my profile on LinkedIn, then set up your own profile if you don’t yet have one, and then invite me to connect (choose “friend”).

Why network?

Firstly, check out this excellent free book, courtesy of the author, Harvey Mackay. [Whenever you see "Rolodex", think "LinkedIn" and "contact manager".]

Secondly, check out these 26 or so reasons from Jan Vermeiren in How to Really Use LinkedIn:

Sales related
1. Maintaining relationships with current customers
2. Meeting new prospects
3. Getting referrals to new prequalified prospects
4. Receiving referrals to other departments at current customers
5. Word of mouth publicity
6. Creating ambassadors who will talk about you and connect you with the right prospects

Not sales related

7. Finding a new job
8. Finding a new employee or colleague
9. Getting to know the right people who can help you with your career
10. Attracting the right organizations to form partnerships with
11. Notifications when there are important changes (for example when legislation changes)
12. Up-to-date information for work-related topics
13. Knowing about new trends
14. Receiving more visibility as a person or an organization
15. Attracting more opportunities
16. Getting new ideas, new insights and new wisdom
17. Getting another perspective
18. Door openings to people you won’t be able to reach on your own
19. Enrichment in every possible way
20. Doing things with more fun
21. Developing as a person
22. Developing as an organization
23. Attracting the right mentors
24. Having a filter (i.e., people from your network) for the massive amounts of information on the Internet and elsewhere
25. Receiving more invitations to (the right) events as a participant, speaker or co-host
26. Security net when something happens:
    1. When you are without a job
    2. When you have too much work
    3. On a personal level (getting the kids out of school, help when renovating your house, babysitter, …)