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10 steps to more profitable online business networking Business networking sites are a great place to promote your business and build profitable relationships. Here are some simple steps to follow to grow your business using online networks.

Business networking sites are a great place to promote yourself and build profitable relationships. Here are some simple steps to follow to grow your business using online networks such as LinkedIn, Xing and Biznik.

1. Complete your profile.

Put some time into fleshing out your profile concisely - it's well worth the effort. Don't leave your profile incomplete, or without photos. Simply adding a photo to your profile will nearly double the number of people who view your profile.

2. Think like a search engine.

Networking is, for independent professionals at least, all about putting yourself out there and getting noticed. Not just by people, but also by search engines. When you complete your profile, try to imagine what search terms a potential client would use to find you.

Include those terms as prominently as possible on your profile - on Biznik it's your job description field - because that's what gets weighted most heavily by search engines.

3. Show up.

You've heard the saying "Ninety percent of success in life is showing up." And it's true, both online and face to face. Participate in forum conversations. Ask questions, and offer answers. And if the network you belong to offers face-to-face events, pick one that looks interesting to you and show up.

4. Show up with friends.

Just like walking into a room full of strangers is easier with a friend, so too is it easier to enter an online community with a few friends. You can ask them to give you compliments, comment on your first posts, and accompany you to live events. Invite as many people as you can to join you online, and you'll have a running start toward getting more connected.

5. Participate in discussions.

Many business networks have a new member forum, where you can immediately introduce yourself to the community. Say something other than simply "hello" - a great way to start a conversation is to ask a question or reveal something interesting about yourself. Don't be afraid to be interesting!

6. Talk first, sell later.

Establish a common connection with someone before attempting to sell something to them. Don't send canned messages to anyone - it's frequently a violation of the terms of

service on business networking websites, and it's a turn-off for anyone who receives your message.

7. Don't immedately ask strangers to join your network.

Many people regard this as rude and intrusive, sort of like asking someone to be your friend in real life immediately after meeting them. Take the time to establish a connection before inviting someone to join your network.

8. Ask for an introduction.

Once you've identified someone you'd like to meet, check to see if anyone in your network knows them. Virtually every online business network has a tool that allows you to see mutal connections, and provides an easy way to ask them to make an introduction.

Use it!

9. Be helpful.

Rather than trying to figure out how you can benefit from your participation in the community, ask yourself how you can hook someone else up. Great networkers are always thinking about how they can connect people they know with other people they know. Why? Because sooner or later, the good will they generate will translate into more business for them.

10. Rinse and repeat.

OK. You've completed your profile, invited your friends, and attended an event... last month. What are you doing this month? Networking is inevitably a what-have-you-donefor-me-lately game. Stay on top of it! It's never been easier to do, using the powerful online business networking sites available to you today. So jump in, get started and stay active.

Recommended Sites: LinkedIn.com - professional network, corporate feel.

Xing.com - international flavor, multiple language support.

Biznik.com - independent business network, solopreneur feel.