Everyone knows that networking is a huge part of success in business. With the right contacts, practically anyone can seem like a superstar businessman. In reality, they just have a deep rolodex. The ability to network is a skill that everyone has to be able to get the hang of (if you want to be in business online).
Not everyone has the money to attend those expensive seminars that are held all around the country, many times per year. It might not be a financial setback either. A lot of people, especially "noob's", lack the confidence to get any real networking done at those events. Confidence in ones self, and their knowledge of their particular industry, speaks volumes.
So if you can't make it to the next big conference what are your options? Believe it or not, you can do a lot of networking online. Sure, we all know of the big social networks like MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn but there are much more specific methods of networking online.
Specifically in the internet marketing industry, here are a few spots that you may not know about but are absolute gold mines.
Warrior Forum - Most big internet marketers hang out on Warrior Forum. Aside from that, there is tons and tons of information in the posts. The community is geared towards newbies and you are free to ask any question you like.
Digital Point Forums - Like the Warrior Forum above this is an excellent resource. The community here is more geared towards marketers and internet entrepreneurs with a little more experience under their belt. That's not to say that newbies aren't welcome there, but the "hand holding" will be kept to a minimum here.
Both of the forums above are the perfect place to meet people who are successful in the internet marketing business. Best part, they are completely free to join! It's not hard to spot the veterans from the rookies at these places, so why not send some of these people a message and try to get to know them.
If you decide to send them a message you have to keep in mind that they probably receive several messages per day from people like you. Make sure you send a message that will catch, and hold, their attention. Be bold, unique and a little witty (if possible heh). There have been many successful partnerships formed over forums like these so don't knock it until you try it!