Stiff Upper Lip Networking

By Lori On April 18, 2011 · 10 Comments

I’m putting it all on the line to say something that might shock some…

Professional networking on Facebook doesn’t require a stiff upper lip.

It’s a communication medium that started in colleges over 7 years ago. I signed up while (back) in college 6 years ago. It’s about sociability, sharing and FUN. Five hundred million people signed up because it’s FUN.

Studies show that people learn more, relax more, and are happier when they’re having FUN.

If we can infuse noble purpose with fun then that makes us smart, not frivolous.

Will a stiff upper lip really win you friends and expand your message? I don’t think so. People don’t care about what you know until they know that you care.

What Pages Gone Wild isn’t:

-A grand plan to score sales via some metric based on number of likes
-A grand marketing scheme where money is exchanged
-A formal marketing proposition for any brand. I did it for free.

What Pages Gone Wild is:

-A wild plan to meet, like, and get to know each other via our news feeds.
-A generous boost to pages just starting out who could use a confidence booster in this recovering economy
-A FUN experiment!

Having fun with Facebook networking is like going to a cocktail party.

You never know who will click and make friends or do business together. But if you never throw a party those people will never meet. People have joined in from the Netherlands, The U.K., Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Canada, the U.S. and more. What fun!!

Have a friend with a Facebook Page who could use some support? Please share this with them.

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http://www.facebook.com/schmidtmediadesigns Sabi

I love PGW, I have met other business owners and we have had conversations about EVERYTHING. It is a fun thing and it’s like walking in a park, meeting different people and discussing ideas and the weather. . I think it is refreshing and new and I am loving it. I have made no business out of it and it was never my plan to take part, I do not run around in a park offering people my calling cards.

I LOVE THE SPRINGTIME AND I LOVE OUR SPRINGBREAK
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  I love you Sabi!!!! <3<3 You get it exactly!! We're just having fun and making friends. It's all good.
http://elainebiss.blogspot.com Elaine

I think the moment you put any pressure to make money on something that should be fun, it loses momentum and becomes a painful activity to do. It`s all about keeping it simple I guess.
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  Yes!!! Thanks Elaine!! Goodness knows you create the most exquisite illustrations I’ve ever seen and I know you do it for the love of it. The money comes sooner or later.
  
  Networking fun is just for JOY and good will come out of it because the love is there. <3
http://nicholsonsocialmedia.com Emma Nicholson

Very rarely does someone with Lori’s status and following generously give their time and expertise to those of us struggling to get our small businesses connected via social media. The Pages Gone Wild event she created speaks to Lori’s commitment to the community that is behind all social media interactions.

Not for one minute did I sense Lori had any intent other than to create a fun and supportive way for people to find each other’s pages on Facebook. I have been overwhelmed by the talent and creativity of the participants in Pages Gone Wild and, by visiting so many different kinds of pages, I have learned valuable tips and lessons I can apply to my own social media business.

I love this party and I thank our gracious hostess for supporting us!
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  Thanks Emma!! *blushes*
  
  It makes me so happy to be able to help good people connect! You can have the goose that lays the golden eggs, but if nobody knows about it… Gotta network!
  
  Thanks again!!!
http://kikolani.com/ Kristi Hines

There’s definitely a fine balance to being professional and being personable. Some brands get it right while others go overboard in one direction or the other. But when you find the right fit, you’ll know it because you’ll start receiving more engagement and fans, which is what counts!
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  Beautifully put, Kristi! The proof is indeed in the pudding.
  
  Thanks for stopping by and may I just say I’m loving your photography? Every time I see one of your pics on the Facebook newsfeed I get drawn in… a breath of fresh air!
http://www.callagold.com/blog Calla Gold

Lori’s grand social experiment is a wild Spring Break ride and I’m loving it. I’ve been participating with a little help from my virtual assistant. She says, “wow, seeing all these different business models and how people express themselves is such a learning experience.”
Who knew that asking for help from someone you mentor could prove to be inspiring as well as a catalyst for great business conversation.
Thanks Lori for making the days more interesting.
Calla Gold
Calla Gold Jewelry
- http://www.social-media-design.com/ Lori Randall Stradtman
  
  So happy this working out so well for you, Calla!! It’s epic already (over 100 busily engaged participants) and growing by the hour!
  
  I’d been brainstorming to make my BlogWorld presentation more helpful for attendees. Am speaking on growing your blog now via social media. Think something like this will work?