How Online Networking Turns into Friendship then Collaboration

March 25, 2014 |

Kent Huffman’s 8 Mandates for Social Media Marketing Success hit my radar after my friend, colleague and client, Eric Fletcher, sent me the book with this thoughtful note:

That’s quite the gesture coming from a guy selected from more than 300 candidates, to be one of 16 featured speakers in the October 2013 TEDx program in San Antonio, Texas. This is also a CMO who is #12 on Social Media Marketing Magazine’s Top 100 CMOs on Twitter.

The Power of Online Networking

As I scan the book’s cover, I discover that Eric co-authored the chapter on “Continue Listening.” I appreciated the 8 Mandates stories so much that I wrote a blog post about the book.

Still, I’m curious — how did Eric and Kent connect? What’s the backstory that led to this book collaboration? I call Eric and here’s what he says:

Twitter Connects Two Strangers

Kent and I became acquainted on Twitter. Kent was practicing the art of networking by maintaining and sharing three targeted lists – CMO’s, Professors, and Authors. These lists became my Twitter “starter list” several years ago – and I was particularly impressed by the valuable content shared by Kent.

Online Engagement Leads to a Face-to-Face Meeting

Coincidentally, Kent and I met face-to-face at a Dallas meeting of CMOs. Both in Dallas, and both eager to learn, share and collaborate, we began what turned in to regular meetings to discuss marketing. The more we compared notes, the more we learned how much we shared in common when it comes to marketing – though our industries are significantly different.

A Relationship Blossoms

Professional networking turned into friendship and collaboration. The book is an example of what began as professional networking in the social environment. The networking doesn’t end there.

 The Weak Tie Becomes Strong (Favor Returned)

Three years ago a friend of mine was helping a young man in search of a marketing internship. My friend called me, I put her in touch with Kent, and the young marketing student spent the summer as an intern at BearCom, where Kent is CMO. Upon the intern’s graduation, BearCom hired him full time – and he is there today, working in the marketing department.

Last year, Kent, inquiring about my daughter, asked what her plans were for the summer. She is an engineering student at Baylor University. I answered that she was hoping to land an internship that might provide her with some hands on engineering experience. Kent said that the engineers at BearCom might be interested in an engineering intern, and that I should have my daughter send him her resume. She ended up interning at BearCom.

This Completes the Backstory

I called Kent to ask why he wanted Eric to co-author Chapter 8. His answer:

I was honored to include Eric as the contributor for chapter 8, which is entitled “Continue Listening.” I chose Eric because of his in-depth knowledge about the key role that listening—more specifically, “intentional listening” (as he calls it) plays in a successful approach to social media marketing.

As Eric points out: “One of the challenges for marketers, particularly in the business-to-business space, is continually working on building and nurturing a relevant network. Social media is a tool tailor made for this challenge.”

Eric and Kent’s backstory demonstrates the power of an online network.

Does your online networking lead to friendship and professional collaboration? Please share your story via a comment.

Hear Eric speak:

Eric Fletcher will talk about the power of “building and nurturing a relevant network” on Wednesday — March 26, 2014 from 1:00 PM EDT – Register Here — For more about Eric’s background, see my “Top 10” list on Eric in WEBINAR: Top 5 Reasons Lawyers Should Blog.

Related Links

Leave a Comment