Can you really trust the members of your network (social) media????

[Fernando Simo]

I often wondered about this particular question. When do you really begin to trust someone within your social media network? When do you begin referring business opportunities to that person/member? Many would say that simply belonging to a network deserves the consideration for referrals. Others, on the other hand, may want more--how involved is this member, how much does he/she contributes to the overall success of the network, how much value add is his/her contribution??
Let me be radical and tell you that although contribution and participation may add value and some level of trust, it means little in terms of having someone give you a referral--REFERRALS EQUALS TRUST!! One must create a a personal relationship with that person--they must know you personally through a series of face-to face meetings or phone calls. They must know you, know that you care and ,most of all, know that you will follow through with a job well done.

What social media affords is the opportunity to get to that level of trust. It introduces you to key players--the rest is up to you.

[Pat Howlett]

Great Share Fernando - I could not agree more.

In setting these inSide Micro Networks the main goal and mission was to help people "meet" online and get to know "something" about each other via their contributions - BUT to then highly encourage then to get "OFFLINE" and meet at an Independent Coffee Shop or other Local venue.

We will try to do this with our Monthly "Social Hours" and hope to offer another option in mid October that might help with the "Face to Face" meeting.

Everyone inSide407 can actually "Meet" each other, you're basically neighbors - that is the real result we'd like to help leverage.

Thanks!