Leveraging Your Links

Share your knowledge wealth (Chapter 18)
Maintain a master file of documents, resources, Web links, etc., which have been helpful to you. Document processes.

Write recyclable documents (Chapter 15)
Save time by centralizing all of your recyclable emails and other text.

Take control of your virtual presence (Chapter 15)
Make sure that when people look for you online -- which they will -- your image is both accurate and flattering.

Join the virtual communities where your target market lives, and keep your profile updated (Chapter 8)
Once you have joined one group, ask the members where else they connect with like-minded people. Be sure to look for smaller groups within larger sites.

Take a leadership role (Chapter 17)
Write a blog to cover your domain, and perhaps create a virtual community around your unique interests.

If The Virtual Handshake only convinces you to take these basic steps, we have succeeded in our own goal. You will significantly increase the value of your network, not to mention your efficiency and your productivity.

This column is an excerpt from The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online, a new book from David Teten and Scott Allen on business relationships online. For more information, see this column's recommended resources.

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