I’ve made mention a number of times on this blog about the importance of networking and how I’m such a big proponent of it.

The internet has really helped networking by allowing instantaneous communication between distant areas, to the creation of social networking websites such as Facebook or MySpace, and also business networking sites such as Friendster, LinkedIn and a thousand other sites that have come about lately. I’ve been on all of those sites – have an account on many, but the site I use the most is Facebook – mainly because its a great way to network with my peers – that is people I’m close to, and have a personal relationship with – rather than business. LinkedIn is a great site for business networking, but most of their “good” features require you to pay – and even then, there is no guarantee you will receive a response from those who you contact.

Since I started this blog in August 07, I’ve discovered that the best way to network on the internet is by creating a blog. Not about the weather, not just about what you did that day – but what drives you, and what you’re all about. In my case – its real estate, hotel development and getting a position at Starwood Capital or Starwood Hotels. I started this blog to get the attention of those people, and…

It worked.

My frequent writings on this blog have made me contacts that I would have never known existed, and people who normally would never take my phone call or reach out to me in a million years – people who have the same interests as me, people who are looking for advice on hotel projects, people who are just writing in to say “thank you for writing such great information” or people who are extending a hand in asking how they can help in furthering my goals. I can say with confidence that I have met some very influential people due to this blog and it has changed my life. I never thought that a blog could do that – especially since it seems as though its one-way (me writing to the public) but while watching the hits go from on average 1, 5, 20, 60, 80, 100 and now easily over 200 hits day after day after day – all via word of mouth, or hits from search engines – its amazing what the Internet can do.

Anyone who is looking to make a name for themselves, or looking to establish themselves, I highly encourage you to write a blog – of course, be liberal about what you write.. Don’t write something that can get you in trouble – but push the barrier.

It may not happen immediately, but keep at it for a few months – 6 months at a minimum, and I promise this: If you write with passion, if you write frequently and if you write about interesting information (even if its only of interest to a certain group of people) you’ll gain a reputation for yourself – and it will be something that can help in more ways than one.

andrew@alconic-inc.com