Recently, I met Lewis Howes at a local professional networking event he hosted. Lewis is the founder of SportsNetworker.com, a business built around social networking. His thorough knowledge and successful application of online professional networking make him a great example for other small business owners.

Check out my interview with Lewis Howes below:

1. Obviously, you have experience with both online networking and live networking. What do you feel are the main benefits of each?

Online Networking Benefits:  Being online allows you to build your personal brand and reach a broader audience and from all over the world.  LinkedIn is a great tool to achieve this because there are 30 million people with profiles on the site, including a number of major executives from every industry.
 
Live Networking Benefits:  It is one thing to connect with someone online or over the phone, but it seals the deal when you can meet with them eye to eye.  Every city I travel to I try to host an intimate gathering to bring my online network together and see how we can help each other.  This has proven to build greater trust with my online connections while generating real world business opportunities.

2. You are writing a book about the power of using LinkedIn. How did you become so actively involved with LinkedIn?

I broke my wrist during an Arena Football game and ended up having surgery.  I had to stay in a full arm cast for six months during my recovery, so I joined LinkedIn and started reaching out and seeing how I could help others.  All I tried to do was offer a hand (the good one obviously) ha ha, and see if I could offer advice, or make introductions for people.  I started to call the people I connected with to ask them compelling questions about their work experience, and what led them to achieve their success.  The more I did for others, the more opportunities came my way. 

3. How have you used online professional networking to build your own business/brand?

I would say that 90% of the opportunities I have received in the past year are due to my online network.  I have built my personal brand by creating my own website to offer useful content and opportunities to my growing database.  I offer consultation and show other individuals or companies how to achieve their professional goals while on LinkedIn.  Through online networking I have been booked for speaking engagements, been flown around the country for charity events, and I have hosted my own live networking events.  All of these factors have built my personal brand and business.

4. Has professional networking played a large role in establishing your business/brand visibility?

I have not spent any marketing or advertising dollars on establishing my brand/business.  Everything has grown organically through the power of my online presence and building my network.  Because LinkedIn and other social networking sites are free to join, this allows me to expand my visibility to a global community without spending any up front cost.  My business is based on the amount of people I connect with, so professional networking is where most of my business comes from. 

5. Why do you think small business owners/entrepreneurs should participate in online networking?

I think all businesses should participate in online networking.  I started out with zero products/services/experience to offer and now I have a direct network of nearly 20,000 people within niche-related markets.  What if a company could add 20,000 people to their network who were related to their industry?  Those would be powerful leads to promote products and services.  Building your online network is free -- this is especially important during our current economy when marketing budgets are being cut. 

6. Aside from LinkedIn, what online networking tools have you used?

I try to have a profile set up in all of the top social networking sites.  It is important to have control over what is being sent out under my name.  Primarily I use LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.  They all serve different purposes and reach various individuals.  In my mind they are all important for any company or individual who is building their personal brand.   

7. If you could give only one advice to all small business owners/entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Read my book when it comes out.  In all honesty, it takes time to develop a powerful network.  The more you become a useful resource for others the more people will begin to know, like, and trust you.  Once this happens, it is up to you to create the opportunities you are looking for.  Become actively involved; persist patiently; and become concise, compelling, and value-driven.

If you would like to find out how to contact Lewis or read his professional bio, please go to: http://www.mysolutionspot.com/LewisHowes/