On my Networlding site I offer three products: 1) a LinkedIn tutorial guide, 2) a checklist for companies looking at implementing a social media campaign and 3) a guide for thought leaders who want to publish books.

When someone requests one or more of the guides, I send them a note thanking them for their request and sharing that I respond personally to every request. I also offer them a no-obligation fifteen minute phone chat if they choose. My goal is to find out if they really are interested and then if they are ready, willing and able to start working with me and my team, now or at some future date.

At the very least I have taken the time to create a more personal touch. Goodwill can go a long way and I know not everyone who ventures on my site is going to become a client. But what I have seen is that this approach has shown me what people are searching most for–in my case they are interested most in publishing books and second, in developing their thought leadership through social media and online marketing initiatives.

Related articles

• The Five Tips to Accomplish Your “One Big Goal” in 2012 (networldingblog.com)
• How to Measure Social Media ROI Like the Experts (hubspot.com)
• Convertible Solutions Embraces Social Media (prweb.com)

Now that we’ve compared Networlding to Networking, the next step is creating a values rich foundation so you can summon your Networlding Powerhouse to begin.

Think of your values-rich foundation like a house. There are some key steps to building a house right? This powerhouse is run by connections, values, strengths and goals but before you have all sets of keys, let’s examine your values – exactly what does drive you and satisfy you in your work?

When you become aware of your values, you will begin to see them in those that might make great Networlding partners for you. Values clarification is also an imperative step in the transition from doing the things you are skilled at to doing the things you are passionate about.  You can be competent without being passionate about a job, project or task.  When you identify an overlap between what motivates you and where you excel, you’ve found a passion!

If you may, ponder about your top 4 values.  The chart below gives you some examples.  Pick what drives you to succeed, for example dont feel compelled to pick family.  It doesn’t mean you don’t value them.

Let me know:

• Did your values align with your current work?  What needs to change?
• Think about your work for the past few years.  What were you doing when your values were honored?  When did your work conflict with your values?

The reason I decided to write this book is because I wanted to experience what it would “feel” like to have a lot of money and be able to, as many really wish they could, make a HUGE difference in the world. What I find out, to my surprise in writing this book, is that it takes a lot of thought as to how to spend that much money. In fact, I have told a lot of people–friends and strangers, about the book and they have weighed in with all kinds of suggestions as to how the money should be spent.

Go through this elaborate exercise has helped me see, surprisingly, that it is not as simple as it seems to spend such a large amount of money. I mean, after all, when you are challenged to have the money stretch further and help more than anyone else could do with it, you have to think very strategically. As a result this book has taken much longer than most of my books, but that doesn’t bother me. I am not after the accomplishment of finishing the book but, rather, immersing myself in a long, drawn out, thoughtful journey through strategic philanthropy. Just like the experience of reading a good book, I want to savor the writing part of this endeavor.

My second book, which I won’t spend as much time today with, is actually the beginning of a series of books I will be writing called “Miss Stories” with the first book titled, Miss Understood and the Case of the Missing Angel. I even started a blog a couple of years ago that has sat dormant for too long call www.missstories.com.

But what are your things that you have yet to do? If you want you can share them with me by email (melissa@networlding.com) or you can share them with the world in the comments, below. No matter, what, start NOW. Don’t wait. As Seth Godin has been saying in his recent blog posts, “ship something.” What are you going to ship this next week? How about this next month, next year?

Related articles

• Seth Godin’s Advice For Creating Remarkable Content (hubspot.com)
• 8 Transformational Leadership Lessons From Seth Godin (hubspot.com)
• 26 Super Cool Quotes from: “We Are All Weird” by Seth Godin (ivanasendecka.com)
• Buy This Movie Or Legally Download It For Free: Your Call (techcrunch.com)
• The new rules of publishing (thecontentlab.icrossing.com)
• Seth Godin on Blogging and Productivity (problogger.net)
• Seth Godin, End Malaria and Blogs for Docs (theunconditionalpatient.wordpress.com)
• A Talk with Seth Godin (networldingblog.com)
• Listening to Seth Godin: Why to Self-Publish Your Book (famousbloggers.net)

After 10 years of development, over 3000 people taken through the seven-step Networlding process, more than 30 Fortune 1000 and Fortune 500 companies involved in Networlding in some form and a list of 12,000 various social media followers, we are excited to share our decade of learnings and insights. With forty chapters filled with one story after another showcasing the many principles of Networlding, this new book should be helpful to you in taking your social media and social networking initiatives up many levels.

Probably the most exciting thing I can offer right now is that you can subscribe to the Networlding newsletter or blog and especially to our Blog Talk Radio show where we are going through the entire book, co-creating it (Step #6 of Networlding) weekly, at least two chapters a week. It’s my idea–a unique way to write a book. After we get done with each show, we have it transcribed and then add to it. The shows will only be up for a couple of months and then we’ll take them down. So, if you are interested, be sure to listen by clicking here!

Following is a bio of Jocelyn for you to get reacquainted with her work.

Jocelyn Carter-Miller is President of TechEdVent tures, a community empow werment firm that educates and inspires children, families, and the broader community through the development and management of charter schools s, community-based programs, and other enterprises. Using state¬of-the-aart business strategies, technology resources and creative partnerships, Tech EdVentures provides operations m management, program development, marketing, training, and community relationship building to develop p the enterprises that promote community and d economic renewal.

Tech EdVentures enterprises include the Lauderdale Lakes Educational Complex which encompasses Smart School Charter Middle School (Grades 6-8), Eagle Charter Academy (Grades 6-12), First Tee of Broward County (golf and character-building program) and SOAR (fund development).

Prior to joining Tech EdVentures, Jocelyn was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Office Depot, Inc., where she managed marketing efforts across its retail, cont tract, catalog and e-commerce businesses. Formerly, Jocelyn served as Motorola Corporate Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; Vice President of Latin American and Caribbean Operations, and Director of European, Middle East and African Operations for the Motorola International Networks Division; and Vice President of Marketing and Prod duct Development for Mattel.

Jocelyn has co-authored with Melissa Giovagnoli the book Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success, published by Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Jocelyn has an MBA degree from the University of Chicago, a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois and is a CPA. She serves on the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group, Inc., InterPublic Group, Netgear, Inc. and non-profit o organizations.

Jocelyn is married to Edward Miller, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Tech EdVentures, and has two daughters, Alexis and Kimberly.

The best networkers never sit on their contacts like misers hoarding gold. Instead, they are constantly evaluating who they know who would benefit by being connected to others in their network.

Your network can now net many more opportunities because of online networks like LinkedIn and others. Therefore, take time to build more effective processes into your networking for introducing and getting introduced.

Here, we’ll focus on getting introduced. Don’t be afraid that you don’t have anything to offer today. You don’t need to:

• have an in-depth knowledge of another’s industry.
• have any current leads or referrals to give.
• feel as though you’re pushy.

Today, the introduction is the new referral. You do not have to be referred to carry additional influence or klout with a solid introduction. A simple process I suggest is to create an “introduction script” to have someone introduce you to one or two good connections they know and then you do the same for them.

For example, if I ask someone to introduce me, I send them the following script. I would like you to meet Melissa. Melissa is the author of thirteen books, four that have been on best-seller lists. Her greatest strength is helping thought leaders grow themselves and their organizations through publishing and follow-up social media marketing, pr and speaking. She and her firm, Networlding, have helped more than 100 top thought leaders grow their platforms through book publishing.

Now I would do the same for you. I would offer you to share a script I can send others about you to get them interested in connecting with you. Send that script to your networking partners and ask them to send one of their own to do the same for them.

Again, create a pre-written introduction of you, by you, as if someone else wrote it about you. This way your networking partners and you can “cut and paste” your respective introductions into your emails and send them to  a couple of excellent connections without a lot of effort. Think simple and powerful when it comes to creating better ways to get more and better leads faster.

What does this picture to the right say to you? I see a dog who wishes companionship (by the way I know the owner and she would agree). He sees another dog (which is really himself) but he THINKS there is another dog there but just can’t connect with it.

Do you ever feel that way–like you are not connected yet you have a network in the hundreds or like me, thousands? And where are we going with all this “connectionholic” stuff as I call this activity? Are you hoping for yet MORE connections next year? Will more connections lead to more business or a better career?

We are so much in pursuit of more and more connections, what will happen if we . . . . just . . . . stop . . . for awhile?

I’m dreaming of a quieter, happier, more loving and connected year next year. What about you? Want to connect with me on that dream?

1. Network more effectively. One of the most frequent questions people ask me when I tell them all the things I am doing in my business is, “When do you sleep?” My secret is that I have taken the time to build my support network better with people who “get” me and help (and I help them of course) achieve my goals faster. Take the time to find the right people for your inner or “Primary Circle” as we call it in Networlding. How do you find them? Slow down to speed up and actually do searches on LinkedIn and read their profiles. Or go to my Twitter account and see the lists I follow. Look at those people. Follow them. See if they are on LinkedIn and/or Facebook. See how you can connect to them.
2. Connect more smartly. I can count on just two hands the number of people the entire year who have done more on LinkedIn than sent the template request to join. I know a lot of people don’t even realize that they can send a more personal request or, at least, once someone has joined your network, take a moment and send a thank you. Say something like, “Thanks for accepting my invitation. How can we help one another most effectively?” It’s that simple. We do know and I think most of us believe, that “you get only one chance to make a good, first impression.”

What do you think? Tomorrow, or the next time I blog which may be sooner, I will add more tips and ideas for networking more effectively next year.

He had randomly selected residents of Boston and Omaha  sending letters to a separate random Massachusetts stockbroker. The requirement was they could only send their letters to people they knew on a first name basis. Surprisingly, it took just five people from the first person, on average, to reach the stockbroker. Years later this concept of 6 Degrees is still being explored.

In today’s networked world many audiences I talk to resonate with my statement that we now live more in a “2 Degree” world. So how do we make this phenomenon more real and useful to grow our businesses and careers? I decided I would try a real story that surrounds the expansion of Networlding into Europe.

To begin, you’re probably wondering what the flowers to the right are all about. They are virtual flowers send to me from Helen Murdoch of MA Consulting out of the UK. Helen is in charge of marketing for the consulting firm that recently partnered with Networlding and me. We had a great conversation over the phone talking about the event we plan to do in October of this year the week of the 18th. Helen followed up the phone call with an email with a link to a site where I received these flowers with a note that said,

“Thanks for a fantastic meeting today – it was brilliant to achieve so much….after all it just takes a NanoSecond!! It was a great `bedtime read` – here are our roses which will bloom on both sides of the `pond`. With much appreciation, Helen”

I was touched by the thoughtfulness and decided I would share the journey I am taking to help launch Networlding in Europe with you to help you gain a better understanding of the growing Networlding community–a community of both practice, connection and better and faster goal achievement. With Networlding growing on sites like LinkedIn (check out our latest Networlding Europe Group), we are able to help those who want to experience values-based networking through the system Jocelyn Carter Miller and I co-created ten years ago.

So I begin with Helen but there is more and I’ll be sharing the story of how I met Helen and the other great folks from her company as well as how we plan to keep growing Networlding Circles throughout the US and the world and how you can participate and realize “better business faster.”

ROAR! Get Heard in the Sales and Marketing Jungle (Wiley).

Whether you’re negotiating a major deal, interviewing for your first job or graduating college, the benefits of ROAR! and pursuing The Awesome Experience are endless. In a charming and motivational manner, Daum has the insight to create ROARing successes in both the professional and personal realm for anyone looking to succeed.

I asked Kevin what he attributed to these numbers. He responded, “It’s a combination of timing knowing when certain media events or buying events are coming. I knew I was speaking to a large group and they would be buying a number of books and then focused my energy on for a groundswell with my family and friends. ROI from an efficiency standpoint.”

Kevin tells the story of a company that spends $10,000 a year on a self-published book that doesn’t sell  them but, instead, gives them away each year and, as a result, gets back $150,000 or more from that investment. He continues on his process, “I took a book from concept to contract in five months called Green Sense and got a five-figure income. In my column I focus on  convergence of need, entertainment and the unexpected. I didn’t have the money that Patrick Lencioni or Seth Godin had but I had a network and I am a marketer so I took what I did have and made it work.”

So what’s the Amazon status of his book currently?

Stats: #1 on Amazon, month of May 2010, #1 on Amazon in the category of Marketing, has been #22 overall

AUTHORS EDGE!

Help get Kevin onto the New York Times Bestseller list. Buy his book (click here). Send me a receipt and I’ll send you a free copy of our e-book, The NanoSecond Networlders.

Additional Gift! – We’ll put you on the list for a free, book club chat!

Bio: Kevin Daum is a bestselling author, marketer, and Inc. 500 entrepreneur. His sales and marketing approach resulted in more than $1 Billion in sales with a 95 percent pull through rate. With over 25 years of experience in theatre, finance and marketing (an odd but effective combination). As a National Columnist for Smart Business Magazine Kevin teaches companies how to pursue The Awesome Experience for their customers and has authored several books including Building Your Own Home For Dummies. For more info visit: http://kevindaum.com/

And finally, who would think of putting a tatoo on their chest that says, “New York Times Bestselling Author” but Kevin Daum? What a guy!

STEP NUMBER 1:

Create Your Values Foundation.

We all have values, but what are your top four and, if you can, what are they in level of priority?

Carol had been what we call in Networlding “baseline networking” for years. She was at the top of her game working as Director of HR for a large organization. However, the long hours and an intense travel schedule left Carol feeling that her personal life lacked balance. From layoffs and career changes to being sought out for competitive executive positions, Carol had been through all of the ups and downs of corporate life.

As she began thinking about what she wanted her future to look like she thought more about her childhood dream of being a physiologist. Carol appreciated valued-based business and aspired to start an individual psychology practice of her own.

With these goals in mind Carol took the first step in Networlding and identified her top four values:

• Spirituality
• Connection
• Making a difference
• Achievement

With these values in mind, Carol decided to leave her six-figure salary and return to graduate school. By understanding her values Carol will not lose sight of them through her process. With her values in mind she is more apt to meet others with similar values and build a network of people around her that will help maintain these values. She will also vocalize her values more often and make requests to be introduced to people who hold similar and complimentary values.