Confessions of an Serial Networker. Join Us Tomorrow for the FAD Challenge.

Hanging out in online communities, meeting new people, learning and sharing ideas turns me on. I’m a serial networker. Recently a friend and member of TR referred to me as the Kevin Bacon of our industry when it comes to 6 Degrees of Separation. I’m always saying something like “BUILD your Network, BE Authentic, LEVERAGE Social Media …” blah, blah, blah.

There are times when I convince myself that I’m the coolest kid in band camp.

Then something so UN-COOL happened.

One of my all time best friends sent me a few messages on Twitter. The first one I didn’t catch and probably responded with something like “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you.” On the next message that came through, I said, “OMG welcome to Twitter I’m thrilled you’re here.” She said, “Thanks, we’ve been following each other for a month now.”

I had a serious wake up call.

Web 2.0 provides some powerful tools that allow us to build and create networks fast. But BEWARE when you move TOO FAST you are missing out on big opportunities.

Now, I’m not interested in your lectures here.

There is nothing more important to me that being authentic and engaged. I go to GREAT lengths to engage with everyone I meet everywhere from facebook to the airport . In fact, I used to have a rule to personally respond to every new follower. Until I started getting up to 100 a day.

A dilemma arises..

Most of us are moving too fast to take the time to discover the people in our networks. That's right. Discover. How can we truly appreciate those in our network if the only thing we know about them is their avatar? It's time to slow down, get to know them better, and show our appreciation for those that allow us to occupy a tiny corner in their social media landscape.

We’ll have our first "FAD" (follower appreciation day) tomorrow, April 8.

Join myself (@sexythinker), Chris Reed (@c_reed), Bill Campion (@culturedude) Leigh Caraccioli (@fleurdeleigh)and the rest of the TR Team) for a 12 hour marathon dedicated to creating real connections through Random Acts of Awesomeness dedicated to our social media connections.

Here’s how it works:

1) Our team is going to spend 12 hours straight tomorrow starting at 10:00 a.m. EST delivering Random Acts of Awesomeness to our online connections.

2) We'll be blogging, Video blogging and Twittering #FADRAA about our experience on Talent Revolution and Twitter.

3) Join US! Take some time to get to know your connection’s and going out of your way to engage in Random Acts of Awesomeness to let them know you appreciate them.

This could be by as little as stopping by their blog to comment or as big as sending them a $1,000 check in the mail.

Ok, so I'm joking about the check thing but, by engaging in Random Acts of Awesomeness

You’ll become better connected with your network, you’ll have the opportunity to make someone’s day and in the end a whole lot of good Karma will be coming your way!

While we share our experience lessons learned, share yours!

I think you’ll find that everyday should be FAD day and Random acts of awesomeness a way of life.

Your admirer,

Amanda Hite