I had just read Terri Lonier’s brilliantly precise methodology for connecting colleagues and friends online in her weekly newsletter and wanted to share it with my readers. Then, I received the following email and thought, “Another great example of how social media is working!” [My editorial thoughts are inserted throughout.]

Good Morning Jane,

Your blog [I'm already feeling flattered] came to my attention through a Google Alert [If you don't already use these, here's the perfect example of how to]. Besides the jewelry connection, which I’ll explain in a moment, your blog resonated with me because of your mission and vision boards. [I had written that Oprah was in my jewelry box, but the word 'resonated' kept me reading. I'm a sucker for flattery.] I wrote a presentation…discussing the power of vision boards.

Back to the jewelry…I am a statement jewelry designer and etailer whose mission is to help women to define themselves by cohesively bonding their internal and external selves. [She's got me now! I love someone who can so clearly define her mission.] Although jewelry might not be an obvious path to this journey, identifying your style and asking yourself “who you are” really digs deep. At any rate, my site offer exclusive tools to help women make the best selections, shop smartly and give back to others. When you have a moment, please peruse www.stylefoliojewelry.com for more information. [I did. It's fabulous!]

Please understand that the intent of my email is to connect. Perhaps being on each others radar can lead to expanding our positive and proactive contributions [here's the WIIFM] for all the things we desire to manifest individually and collectively.

Regards,

Yvette Craddock – Founder + Style Director – www.stylefoliojewelry.com

Yvette and I have been in touch back and forth several times now, joined each others networks and communicated via email. I definitely feel connected. Last week I’d never heard of her, and now we’re promoting each other based on our mutual missions.

Finally, late last week my friend Leigh called to ask if I would introduce her to one of my colleagues who might help her make some valuable connections in the world of academia. It feels like I was just taught by two masters so that I could pass it on. I hope you will as well.