Do Not Blow Your Nodes

A big mistake in thinking conceptually about social networking is overlooking the fact that it is in a multidimensional space. Linear thinking will almost always produce a limited picture of contact bubbles connected by straight lines representing those networked connections. I have been guilty of recommending to job seekers that they build a “tree” of network contacts by following each one to reach other contacts because this is the easiest way to visualize and teach about networking. Adding a third dimension allows us to expand that limited perspective into a more realistic model, but this still falls far short of representing the true complexity of a network. Perhaps in building a network it is permissible to focus on more recognizable mind pictures, but actually putting the network into use means that we need to be aware of all possible interconnections, messages, and results.

A single point on the network represents you. The helicopter view of you reveals that your point in space doesn’t move, but your relationship with other points is constantly changing. In fact, there are a whole bunch of points surrounding the “you node” point and each one sees a different “you.” Using your point of view, you have the opportunity to engage others and share only the networking assets of your choice. When we talk about personal branding, we are really talking about which of those assets are being revealed to other points. Errors in branding usually mean a release of personal data in an unwanted direction or to unintentional targets. Nobody in your network needs to know everything about you except yourself.

The nodes on an actual network do not look like the linear bubble chart, but they are more like a bunch of grapes. Clusters of these bubbles represent similar interests or ideas within the network. They are connected by the network vine to other clusters or even other standalone points. When seen from this perspective, the “you node” point in the network actually becomes part of a cluster, but the interconnectivity is so much more. You may belong to multiple clusters and draw from all the other cluster members. The cluster is fragile and its size depends on the enrichment you bring to the cluster. Focusing on simply gathering numbers of contacts is artificial and your branch will be pruned away if not producing. A picture should be developing in your mind that it is work to maintain a network. Building networks may be the easiest part and adding value to each cluster is the only way to insure growth.

Being a bridge between nodes is a special function of the “you node” as you add your knowledge and value to your contacts. Diversifying the network is a common practice used by networking bridgers. My Facebook account is composed of business associates, family and friends, and miscellaneous clusters such as old high school friends and former coworkers. It is easy to select a particular group of friends to carry on conversations common to them, but it always amazes me when I cross post information to more than one group and find that there are common interests. People who are within different clusters in the network discover new concepts and ideas. This is how a weak connection can find a new opportunity for job seekers. The benefit to me for being a conduit between clusters is that I learn more about the diversity of ideas coming from different sources.

So the bottom line of my “don’t blow your nodes” pitch is that it takes work to keep it productive, but is worth it in the long run. Take care of your nodes and they will take care of you.

Image Credit: 123RF Stock Photo