Networking online seems simple enough, just find a spot and step right in or not. Ive taken advantage of the opportunity on several fronts, occasionally floundering along with the rest, or being inducted into the leadership (occasionally kicking and screaming all the way to the prized throne), and even on several occasions finding my very own niche and fitting in well.

Networks have various purposes. Often those purposes do not include networking, so if that is your goal, be sure networking is actually at least part of the purpose of the network.

1. Find a network that fits your style. Niche based networks need not be specifically your niche to fill the bill. Ive found that I need input and access to people in a variety of niches to make my business work. My purpose is to find a network that uses my skills and includes folks who have skills Im going to use.

Recently, I spoke with Heidi Caswell of http://www.heidiscards.com about creating an ad-card that would work for my tax business. While her business isnt particularly related to my tax business her services may prove quite helpful to my business. When I need cards for other purposes, Heidi will definitely come to mind, because she cared enough to go the extra distance and contact me. Our network is working, because we have mutual interests, although our niches are quite different.

2. Actively participate in the network. When you join a network, it is important to let them know what you offer, and begin to communicate what you need to others. Online, we often refer to this as posting. If youre going to take time to join a network, at least jump in there and tell them why youre there.

If you want to network with other writers, or meet people who offer marketing tools, open a thread asking for those services or information about them. Read other posts and respond, offering your services where appropriate.

3. Be an interactive part of the solutions. All networks based on interactive solutions and needs of the networkers find strength in their resources. When reading posts, look for ways to help, offer suggestions, or add information. Even if your information comes by way of additional questions, youve added something positive to a network group, by posting your thoughts.

4. Help with any ongoing network projects. Autumn Fling was the brainchild of Ginger Marks from http://www.documeant and while shes put in a lot of work for the creation of this chat event, it didnt stop with her. Advertising, promotions, articles, and content have been drawn from most of her interactive network. Im sure she could have done the job without my help, but would she really have wanted to? And more importantly, would I have wanted her to? Get involved and participate. Go visit the site at http://www.winningsistersofryze.com and see what you have to offer. Or just get involved in whatever network you are in.

5. Promote the network on your sites. Whenever possible, promote your networks on your blog or website even just a tiny blip that sends your readers to that site for a referral. Online networking is primarily about building traffic to your site and growing your online business. By building traffic to your network, you are sending traffic to your site as well. It works. When you promote others, you get promoted.

Break the network code by following the steps here in this article. Get recognized by getting involved.

Jan Verhoeff

Somewhere between college and life, Jan began to focus on other people. Her intense need to feel accomplishment in her life drove her to finding a deeper contentment than just existing in the hoot 'n holler of southeastern Colorado. While the beauty of the prairie never escaped her eye for color and beauty, the intensity of her desire kept her moving ever onward.

Summers in Michigan and Tennessee brought her closer to something, but it wasn't until much later, as an adult, mother of four that she began to understand that her need for accomplishment included sharing what she had learned along the way. It also meant that her talent for painting the dream and writing her thoughts had a lot to do with her accomplishments.

She began to focus on actually writing down her thoughts and ideas in journals, revealing her prayer thoughts and life events. Bits of paper became treasures of memory, and a notebook became an outlet of hope and a step of faith. Jan put her thoughts on paper, and began to publish them, where she found opportunity, including various magazines, trade journals, and local publications. Her interests in business and new enterprise became a resounding outlet for her talent, and wisdom for those who sought it. Jan's interest in business development became her trademark, resulting in her first book publication in !992, "Building a Business: From Scratch". This 22 page booklet was published by a local printer in a vertical brochure format, selling more than a thousand copies nation wide. It has resurfaced in college classes as the basis for college term papers, graduate thesis, and research documents for small business courses over the past 13 years.

Seeking more diverse outlets for her talents, Jan most recently has written several short stories published in various books, including: "Stories for the Trail" with the Lamar Writer's Group, "Prickly Points of Life" a combination poetry/short story collection of Jan's work, and "Coffee Clatter" a bound collection of written works originally published in a newsletter published by her daughter, Brenna, as a Sophomore Year Project when she was homeschooling at Buchanan Academy.

More recently her work is available in a newsletter she publishes weekly via email, and various blogs listed on the right side of this page.

You may contact Jan at: janverhoeff@yahoo.com