This is an update of sorts to an earlier post I made about being inspired to set ‘networking’ goals.

Almost a year ago, Ryan Holiday wrote a piece about finding a mentor, and Tim Ferriss did an article about the five people he would like to meet in 2008 (and how to otherwise go about establishing such contacts) last December.  In response, I made a similar list and resolved to become more active in networking throughout 2008, and though I have definitely pursued making connections with folks throughout the year, it was Tiffany Monhollon’s ‘7 Insider Tips for Befriending Top Bloggers (Or Anyone Online)‘ which prompted me to reflect on the past few months.

I’m rather pleased, and pleasantly surprised, to say that I have been relatively successful thus far. The exchanges I have had have not been terribly deep, and I realize that most of the people I am contacting will hardly remember my email next week, but the feedback is helpful and the advice is legitimate. It’s not a matter of superficially boosting my address book, nor is it attention-seeking just for kicks. I’m in no position to offer to write a guest blog, and save for the mentor I found during my internship, I’m not willing to impose myself on others to beg them to give me a leg up.

No, it’s simply a matter of realizing the lack of boundaries the internet offers and doing enough research to send an intelligent email or leave a coherent comment. Read a great book and looking to expand on that topic, or are you trying to figure out how a particular author decided to delve into that field? They are accessible for a reason; it’s that easy. And the best part is that it really works.