This presentation looks at what networks are and how they have evolved in the digital era. Topics discussed include: the Dunbar number, the strength of weak ties, the power of networks, and how to approach networking. This presentation also gives 4 steps on how to best develop and define your digital identity.

1. What are
Networks,
and why are they
important?

2. What Networks Look Like
The “Dunbar Number” is a suggested cognitive limit to
the number of people with whom one can maintain
stable social relationships.
LinkedIn,Us, about 150

3. Strength of Weak Ties
Mark Grandovetter Sociology Professor at Stanford.
Wrote about the importance of weak ties in the flow of
information, and how his research shows that jobs are
more often found through weak ties than strong ties.
Friends Friends of Friends

4. Your
Reference
Group
Community World
100’s 1,000’s A lot!
Power of Networks

5. How do we take this blank canvas
and make something of it?

6. Step 1) Google Yourself

8. Step 2) Determine your Digital Identity
What are your
personal
strengths?
What are your
professional
strengths?

9. Step 2) Determine your Digital Identity
Look for overlap
Personal
Strengths
Professional
Strengths

10. Step 2) Determine your Digital Identity
Which are personal? Which are professional?

11. Step 3) Reflect on your Identity
• What do you want to be known for?
• How do you want to represent yourself?
• Do you want to be a generalist or a subject matter expert?
• Who do you aspire to be like and why?
• When asked what do you do, can you answer it concisely?

12. 4) Perfect Your Professional Media
Create Your Profile: LinkedIn
1. Add a photo
2. Fill out Summary
3. Claim your custom URL
4. Experience (add Clemson University as
employer), Education, Skills
5. Organizations, honors, certifications,
projects
6. Follow influencers you are interested in
7. Connect with others!!!
8. Engage with and share content in your
news feed

13. Maintaining Growing
Connecting
Approaching Networking
Internal External

14. Connecting
• What do you do?
• Define what makes you unique (skills, passions, finding your “ness”)
• Define your digital identity (clean up, FB and Twitter, set up LN)
Growing
• Telling your story (what’s interesting to you, what are you doing, reading,
etc..)
Maintaining
• Keep learning, and growing (Read!!!)
• Share what gets you excited and why (This is your journey, take
everyone else along with you.)
Internal

15. Connecting
• Common Ground (passion, school, work, etc…)
• Do homework (know who your meeting)
Growing
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow Up (thank them for a great conversation)
Maintaining
• Share something that makes you think of the
person (article, story, book)
• Introduce them to someone
• Celebrating others (Return on Relationships)
External

16. Any Questions?

17. www.linkedin.com/in/robbiefitzwater www.linkedin.com/in/AnastasiaThyroff
Robbie Fitzwater Anastasia Thyroff
Connect with us