| Social networking has exploded in recent years | | | | on your network to include face to face meetings |
| with the popularity of sites like My Space and | | | | as a part of this networking. Care should be taken |
| Direct Matches. Social networking websites are | | | | when making this decision to ensure you are not |
| sites are places where members can meet to | | | | putting yourself, or others, at unnecessary risk by |
| share photos, journals and interests with an | | | | arranging these networking meetings. |
| extensive network of friends. | | | | The most important aspect in arranging offline |
| When networking online it is important to consider | | | | networking meetings with those who you meet |
| who you want to meet in your networking | | | | online is choosing a safe location for these |
| endeavor. For example, do you want to meet | | | | meetings. A well lit, busy, public location is ideal for |
| business people? Then, you should focus on a | | | | these types of meetings. These types of |
| more business oriented social networking site like | | | | locations not only minimize the chance that any |
| Direct Matches or Ryze. | | | | participants in the meeting will attempt to harm |
| Where Can You Find Those You Want to Meet? | | | | others but also helps to make those who are |
| One of the best ways to quickly find who you | | | | planning to attend feel safer. You might think a |
| want on social networking websites is by using | | | | house belonging to your friend is an excellent |
| the search feature. You should compile a list of | | | | location because you are familiar with the location |
| keywords which are likely to be used on the | | | | and will have friends with you but it is important |
| profiles of members you would like to meet. | | | | to note those you are meeting may be just as |
| Searching for these keywords can help you to | | | | suspicious of you as you are of them. They are |
| locate those who share your interests. | | | | more likely to be interested in attending your |
| Most social netwoking sites have features that | | | | meeting if it takes place in a public location |
| make it easy to visit the profiles of your friends' | | | | because they will feel more comfortable. |
| firends. Visiting the profiles of your friends' friends | | | | Another aspect to consider when deciding |
| can also help you to meet more interesting | | | | whether or not to take virtual networking |
| individuals. Those who you already consider to be | | | | opportunities offline is whether or not you think |
| friends likely share some of your interests. | | | | the friendships will be the same offline as they |
| Likewise, many of their existing friends may | | | | are online. Many Internet users feel freer to |
| share these interests as well. Investigating profiles | | | | express their opinions online than they do in face |
| of those who are friends of your friends can put | | | | to face meetings. Friends who have wonderful |
| you in contact with many more people who might | | | | relationships online may find their relationship |
| be potential friends for you. | | | | falters when they actually meet in person. |
| Do You Want to Take Your Networking Offline? | | | | If you follow these tips and do your research you |
| After networking online, the natural progression is | | | | will have networking success. |
| to determine whether or not you want to expand | | | | |