Getting the most out of the inSide Area Code Network

[Martin Brossman]

 

Your Local Free On-line Business Networking Resource - Inside919.com
by Martin Brossman

If you are a business in the 919 area code, you may wonder where on-line to network.

It is free to join, allows you to form local discussion. It lets you list calendar events, have a blog so you can contribute useful articles, have a profile stating your business and it offers an RSS feed so you can keep up with it in your Blog Reader. By requiring you to live or work in the 919 area code and asking that people make at least one contribution a month, it keeps it smaller then the big guys offering a local connection. inSide919 and all the inSide Area Codes sites were started by Pat Howlett who moved from a small town to the RTP NC area and wanted to create a small town business networking feel on-line ( the first active group was www.inside919.com group, check it out ). Their is a inSide Area Code for every area code in the USA.

• My networking advice for using Inside919 is to take a little time to join it, fill out the basic profile, maybe join a few groups that are of interest and connect to some people you know. Next just check in once a day, week or even once a month based on your time demands and the importance of a web presence. When you check in, look for ways to help others or contribute to a conversation that is occurring in a Forum or group. ( Also see Pat's video on your profile: Move Content around on "My Page" )
• Notice that you can arrange the content on your page (My Page) by grabbing the title bar and moving it up or down. You want what is most important for people to know about your business at the top. For example, if you are a photographer it may be your photos.
• Add your business name. To the upper right of your picture when you are on “My Page” you can click and change that text to the name of your business. Make sure you have your actual name and photo of you for the photo. This is because inSide919 focuses on the personal advantage a small business has and is why personal photos of people are required in the photo area.
• You can add your Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook ID on your profile and make sure to include your work phone number. Check each one to see that they work after adding them.
• I recommend a picture and if you don't have one you like, pay a photographer for one good one. The good photographers can offer Photoshop touch ups if that makes you more comfortable. You can find one in InSide919.com as well.
• Contribute to a group comment or Forum questions with a comment. (Also see Pat's video on How to Share/Refer in the Network)
  
• Next share the site with good local businesses you know to help them connect to others.
• Do not SELL or pitch someone on “your wonderful widget” . This is about building business friends and alliances; selling will have a negative effect.
• If you see someone you would like to learn more about, connect to them and maybe meet for coffee.

I like this group since Pat is a local person who truly wants to help the local business
professionals and make it easy to participate. To me this can be one of the important pieces of your on-line presence and marketing plan.

See my two post on using inSide919 as your Social Media Hub:
inSide Social Media Hub Part 1

inSide Social Media Hub Part 2

Pat Howlett also has ones for all US area codes -- http://www.insideareacodes.com/ -- but you need to really work or live in the title-designated area code.

 

If you join http://www.inside919.com/ , look me up and say hello! Martin Brossman - [e-mail] [phone] - Podcast: www.InquireOnline.info - Pro-Networking website: http://www.pronetworkingonline.com

 

Videos about inSide919:

 

 

 

 

Also see these videos:

Move Content around on "My Page" to make it attractive to customers.

How to be remembered by others for business.

 

Podcast with Martin Brossman and Pat Howlett:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/insiders/2011/04/08/q-a-for-pat-howlet...

Feel free to add other tips for new members..

[Tim Moore]

Martin, this is excellent advice and I appreciate you sharing. Thanks!

[Martin Brossman]

Very welcome Tim!

[Michelle Gower-WordPress Mentor]

Love that you shared this with everyone, Martin. You can never help educate 919ers and other insiders enough on how to get the most out of this network.

My biggest tip: assume you are LIVE as soon as you sign up. This means people will be reaching out to you faster than you think. And if somehow they are not, then it's up to you to get in the water. Dip the toes in or go full cannonball, but you get what you give, so make a splash.

[Martin Brossman]

Thanks Michelle Gower for your addition! You are one of the original early members in inSide919 and can say "I remember when in inSide919..." :)

[Martin Brossman]

Arlene, that mean a lot to me that it was helpful to someone new. Big welcome to the community!

[Sandra Burnett]

OK, I do not use the word impressed often....BUT you and Pat impressed me last night at the event! You both are such professionals. The time you give to helping small businesses and our community is IMPRESSIVE! I learned a ton last night and I thank you so much!! The social media knowledge I am learning through the "use" of INSIDE919 for both my fundraising company The hCard and for my other Company Sisters Catering Company in Raleigh

[Sandra Burnett]

And for Sisters' Catering Company is so appreciated. I thank you both....and wish all of the INSIDERS had experienced this informative evening...

[Lois B LeSavoy]

Just got back into town after almost a month away and wasn't able to make it. I heard it was fantastic. I missed you and all you do...luv

[Colleen Gray, The Boomers' VA]

Thanks for reminding us all of the basics of being on inside919. You ended it well with the thought that if you meet someone you would like to know more about, meet them for coffee. There is nothing quite as good as that one on one time! Thanks for sharing all of the knowledge you have Mr. Martin!