The Momosphere And Networking

After I put up my last post about Silicon Valley companies hiring Mom Bloggers, I received a LOT of emails about NETWORKING.  It seems that many female (Mom) bloggers want to get out there and meet other bloggers, but don't really know where to start.  So I sat back and thought about this.  Actually, I put on my HR (Human Resource) hat and knew that in general, men do a much better job networking in the corporate world. 

Is networking amongst women that intimidating?  Are there not enough support groups, email lists, collaborative communities, etc. that unite women?  This morning, I asked a friend during school drop-off that exact question.  Her response:  "Jill, I am going to be blunt! Women are catty.  Women don't like supporting one another.  They are jealous of each other.  Women are their own worst enemy."

Hmmmm.... really?

Maybe I am the forever optimist that women support each other.  Maybe I just try to see the best in each person and employee.  I don't know, maybe I have have had blinders on all these years.  I love working with women.  If I could wave a magic wand and create a euphoric work environment, it would be a group of experienced, talented, creative women  figuring out how to save the world....

Since it is not happening at this moment, I want to to start a discussion on women supporting one another, either in the workplace or amongst communities.  Consider this a starting point, and I hope (and encourage) everyone to join me in the comment section. 

Question?  How can mom bloggers support one another and do a better job at networking? 

• Join a collaborative blogging community. (Again, not trying to pimp SV Moms Group).  Find a collaborative community that is part of your "niche" and send and email to that group to see if they are looking for additional contributors.  From experience on SV Moms Group, I have seen a TREMENDOUS amount of networking that goes on with our email list.  Bloggers pass along job opportunities, freelance assignments, interesting writing gigs, etc.  I had no idea how POWERFUL this list could be (or become).
• Join a local parenting group. Sometimes, you actually have to meet other women in person!  (not everything can be done onlilne!) Before I had children, I never knew how important it was to be part of a local parenting group or club. In our town, i joined PAMP (Palo Alto Menlo Park Parenting Club) and slowly met other "working moms" through the email list and volunteering at events.  I became so involved with the group that I ultimately took on the role as President in 2005-2006.  Many women I met while I was President are still close friends,.  I continue to network with many of them on a professional and personal level.  (Many now write on SV Moms Blog!).
• Is your blog inviting? I know this may be a strange question, but when viewers come to your site, are you encouraging comments and conversation?  Is there an easy way for viewers to email you?  If you are part of collaborative groups, is their banner up on your site?
• Make sure your personal blog/site reflects the type of viewers that you want to network with.  Your content will tell the viewer a lot about YOU and the type of people you connect and want to network with.....
• Have you joined Twitter yet? If not, get on there RIGHT NOW and start following your friends and their friends and even their friends.....At first, I did not know how in the world to use Twitter.  I was even annoyed when everyone started to follow me, and I wasn't posting anything.  Then I spent a few days "studying" Twitter, and I am now a Twitter JUNKIE.  Actually, worse... I am a Twitter-holic.  The amount of networking that goes on  at  Twitter is unbelievable!  Hey Twitter, do you want to hire me????  (hint, hint!)
• Be gracious! Alright, this is going to sound a little preachy, but hang in there with me.  If you hear about a job that is NOT right for you, pass it along to your email lists and mom groups.  Share the lovin'.  Not only is it potentially helping out another mom, it is good karma!  i truly believe that in time, YOU will hear about a great job opportunity from someone else... and you will land it! What goes around, comes around.....
• Make sure people know you mean business!  I probably touched up on this on my last post, but make sure folks know that you are out there and LOOKING for opportunities.  Your blog needs to have a place where you note that you take (or have taken) freelance assignments, that you participate in collaborative communities, etc.  Make sure that you have ALL your sites listed on your email  "signature file" and that they are linked.
• Create a "selective" blogroll on your personal sites.  I know that many of you may debate me on this one, but here are my thoughts.  Creating a blogroll and highlighting your favorite sites is a great way to show other bloggers that you really dig and enjoy their site.  From there, you can begin to create a relationship with these bloggers.  That being said, I have seen blogrolls with hundreds (even thousands of blogs listed).  When I see this happening, I NEVER look at them.  I assume that this blogger is just trying to be "everyones" friend... and well, it turns me off.  So only add those sites YOU REALLY like and follow.  (I am sure I am going to get some heat on this... go for it!)
• Responding back to comments. I am probably the worst offender of this (note to self, please get better at responding back to comments!), but it is good etiquette to respond back to a commenter, either in the comment section or through email.  If someone has taken the time to come to your site and leave a comment, the least you can do is respond back.  Unless of course, they are a blogging troll.  In that case... do what you must.  I have seen and heard that many networking relationships started with someone leaving a comment!   
• Linked IN, Facebook, MySpace, Oh My!  Along with Twitter, I would encourage you to become involved with these social networking tools.  Whether it is for a freelance assignment or a new full time position, these tools are HOT right now.  Women (and men) are connecting with one another at record speed, and getting work!  Recruiters and Recruiting firms are also learning these tools as part of their PAID recruiting efforts.
• Leverage your previous jobs and employers. Mom Bloggers, you gals are super hot right now.  Companies want to either leverage your blog to help drive traffic and awareness to their products targeted to moms.  They may want to bring you back on as a consultant to help them understand the blogosphere or Momosphere.  At first, I was very quiet about my blogging projects.  Part of me thought that these employers would look down upon my new found interest.  They wouldn't understand.... they would think it was "beneath me".  You know what, at the time... they would and did.  But not today my friends... companies want to know how to hire and LEVERAGE you... so go for it.
• Reach out to the Dad Bloggers!  Dad bloggers dig networking with Mom Bloggers... I am sure David Mott, Enoch Choi and Gunfighter Dad will join in on this one!
• Contact your local newspapers.  Did you hear that the newspaper industry is crumbling?  Reporters are being laid off by the masses.  If you are a mom blogger and think that your content might be a good fit for your local paper, approach them.  Crazier things have happened... and you might work out a syndicate deal with them.  I have one blogging friend who has now become a local "celebrity" in her town because of this.
• Get out there and attend the blogging conventions.  I have heard many women tell me that attending conventions are tough.  Many are introverts and a blogging convention can be really intimidating.  Believe me, I understand and can relate.  If you have the opportunity to attend the BlogHer Conventions, this a a GREAT way to learn more about blogging and to network.  Again, getting yourself out there and trying to meet new people is hard... but you don't really know until you try.  And please try.... or try again.  Some of the best opportunities are found here.

Now I turn it over to you, the wise Momosphere and blogosphere to share your networking thoughts....

Jill Asher is the Co-Founder of Silicon Valley Moms Group.  You can network and follow Jill on Twitter (her new obsession) at SVMOM