Traffic, traffic, traffic is what most of us hear about working on the internet. I contend that even though traffic can be good for exposure, establishing long term relationships is far better. Perhaps we can have both but I still focus on developing quality relationships.
RELATIONSHIPS! Notice that is in caps. Do you buy from your enemy? It doesn't matter what business that you're in: internet, brick-&-mortar, retail, manufacturing, repair, shipping - it does not matter - you are in the people business. No transaction ever takes place without people. No computer ever calls up another, orders up a cup of coffee or goes to play golf and chat.
Both are important, and have different as well as overlapping functions. I agree that traffic is important for exposure. And long term relationships are also imporanta. Networking online is like networking office. You need to have exposure and meet a lot of people and want to build and nurture relationships with them over time. Taking your traffic and turning them into relationships is the best way to turn that into business.
Networking on the internet is no different than in the real world.
If you sit at home and never get out, then you will have zero traffic and have no chance at relationships. The more functions you attend give you traffic. Traffic, by itself, will not lead to anything if you do not know how to make an introduction and build a relationship. Once you have relationships, then you can leverage those to learn information, form strategic bonds, or get customers.
At the end of the day, they go hand in hand and are equally important.
Relationships are always better than traffic.
When likeminded people come together the power
of that is amazing. Traffic can be anyone and they
may not even be interested in what you have to offer
but relationship building almost guarantees their interest
in you and whatever you do is part of that.