The media is far too fond of the word “Kill.” The iPad was going to be the “Kindle Killer.” ‘Droid phones would “kill” the iPhone. Blogs will “kill” email newsletters. Social media will “kill” face to face networking.
Does one thing really have to kill another? Can’t we all just get along?
Seriously, though, I don’t think social media will ever kill face to face networking. As humans, we like in person interaction, and I don’t think we’re going to change for a very long time, if ever.
Meeting people in person whom I’ve interacted with through social media gives me a real thrill, and I’ve had a lot of people tell me I’m not alone. So let’s not look at them in terms of one killing the other. Instead, let’s look at how they work together.
I was at a networking event a couple of weeks ago and was talking about what I do. I mentioned that my ideal client wanted to use face to face networking and social media in tandem. She got a “lightbulb” look on her face and said, “I’d never thought of using social media that way. I travel all the time. You mean I could use social media to reach out to people in other places and then schedule face time when I travel?”
Of course she could! Social media is the easiest way to extend your reach beyond your home geographic region. But there’s still value in seeing your contacts in person.
Do you go back home frequently? Travel someplace regularly for business? If so, use social media to reach out to interesting people in those places. Then let them know you are coming and schedule some face time.
You’ll build great relationships and never have to be bored when you travel.
Tags: Networking, networking on the go, Relationship building, social media
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I agree with this 100%! Social media and in person interaction should go hand in hand. I use social media to nurture relationships. I can interact with someone much more frequently on Twitter than by phone or email and certainly much more often than I will see them in person. Now by the time I meet up with a person, we’ve most likely already had a series of conversations that would not have been had if we had to rely solely on the telephone or email.
Tamara, thanks for the comment. Do you find social media makes it possible to keep up with more people than you could pre-social media days? That’s been my experience, and I was wondering if it was yours as well.