Yesterday's article on career change and transitions mentioned networking. But it's not networking like most of us are used to. Now it's tinged with technology.  And to do that effectively, simply take the steps that you would for living more humorously.

1.  Find a friend--someone who is curious about technology.  Mine is Susan from the Chamber office.  This friend doesn't have to be a techie, just has to be fearless and interested in learning new things.  Same way with humor:  latch on to someone who has a sense of humor and learn from them how to live more lightly.

2.  Don't be afraid of making mistakes or not knowing something.  I didn't  know how to make a tinyurl.  So what did I do?  I didn't get a manual, or search "Help" online.  I tweeted the question and someone from the Ukraine wrote back, "Here try this."  Sure, they may steal your identity, but you will be able to shorten your links so you can write more in the space on Twitter. 

3.  Be yourself.  All comedy is based on the truth--and then we embellish.  But we tell it like it is, we tell about ourselves like we are.  If you put on a front in online networking, people will know.  People are very savvy--they've been exposed to this technology stuff for many years, and don't fall for fakeness.  It's even more important today to just be yourself.  What if you don't have a perfect house, family, pets, job?  Write about it!  People want to hear the truth, they want to see you are human. 

Who is YOUR technology tutor?  tweet me about it at trinahess and sign up today for your 1st networking session!  And while you're at it, "Get Your SHINE Together!"