We all know that online networking is important, but for those just getting started it’s a huge landscape to navigate. Where do you invest your energy first? How do you choose the channels most beneficial for you? When do you make the crossover from virtual connections to handshakes?
Below I attempted to make sense of it all in the easiest lineage I could—the alphabet. For those just getting started, I suggest taking a peak and making sure you are hitting the majority of these in some capacity—and for those online networking leaders I suggest taking a peak and making sure your ego didn’t accidentally blind you from the basics. (hey, its been known to happen 
) This list includes sites, people, engines, applications, and tips on how to best research, establish and network yourself online.
A- All the engines. Ask.com, Alltheweb.com, About.com, AltaVista.com-make sure you research your presence in as many places as you can before beginning to network.
B- Brand. What words do you want to be associated with your name? Decide on your personal brand before pushing it.
C- Classmates.com. Although it may not be dancing in the spotlight with newer social networks, it’s a great way of rekindling old friendships that can become new colleagues & confidents.
D- Digg.com. For networking? Yes. Used best for establishing content-driven relationships with like-minded industry types. Starting dialogs & discussions.
E- Endorsements. Erase any doubts by requesting endorsements from past colleagues, mentors, and friends on LinkedIn.com, personal sites, etc.
F- Facebook.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it professional. Flourish.
G- Goals. Make sure you have established goals for your efforts. Know the people you want to interact with & the industry trends you want to be associated with.
H- “How to Change the World” blog. Read it. Guy Kawasaki’s blog—“A practical blog for impractical people” covers everything anyone may need to stay motivated and get ahead. Just trust me.
I- Identity Management Sites. Check out Naymz.com & Ziggs.com. Great sites to help evolve and manage your brand.
J- Joking & Jesting. Keep it to a minimum initially. Be sure to establish a presence before taking to informal interactions with other industry professionals.
K- Keywords. Set up the relevant ones to come to you via Google alerts, RSS feeds, e-mail newsletters, etc. Know your valuable Keywords.
L- LinkedIn.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it Professional. Link up.
M- Market Yourself. Treat your name as a client. Build up your skills, and strengthen your weakness. Make sure you are meeting your audience’s expectations.
N- Netiquette. Be sure to follow the appropriate guidelines when interacting online. Wade in—don’t jump, never spam, be patient, etc.
O- Online Reputation Management. Follow @andybeal or read MarketingPilgrim for more on this. Know what is being said about you (and your company) and react accordingly.
P- Persistency. Get a top-notch coffee maker, subscribe to motivational quotes, and understand—Online Networking is NOT a part-time job.
Q- Questions. Ask them. Don’t shy from embracing your newbie status with online platforms and communities. Ask questions and reap the benefits of the knowledge available to you.
R- Read everything. No really–read blogs, reviews, summaries, critiques. Be sure you have the full picture of the network you want to infiltrate.
S- Support Others. There are a lot of words to go under “S” but this one can’t be ignored. Be sure to return the favor when receiving industry support.
T- Twitter. Get on it. Use it. Don’t always keep it professional. Tweet yourself a brand.
U- Use Multiple Tools. Never count on just one platform. Diversify yourself across multiple boards, platforms, networks, etc.
V- Vlogs. Video Blogs. Anytime you can incorporate your face with your words/knowledge, it’s a win-win.
W- Webinars. Attend as many as you can, host them on your favorite topics, and reap the rewards of this viral interaction.
X- XING.com. Get on it. Use it. Keep it professional. Go global.
Y- You. It all starts with you. What are you waiting for?
Z- ZOMG. See below.
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