Networking about social media? I was born for this, or so I would like to think so.

I am one of those people who have been playing and socializing online before my parents knew I could work a computer. From games to now Facebook and Twitter, I like to consider myself in the know and experimenting with social media.

However, my experience with social media has been for more “social” reasons. And although I plan on studying the marketing as a part of my education, it never occurred to me that it was being implemented right now in the business world until I met Gia and her group this past summer. I only came to video tape testimonials about the event, but listening and talking with other members made me curious as to what was going on. The more and more I talk to people, the more and more it made me want to move from behind the camera and into the action.

Once I made the step, I started interacting with Gia and other members learning about their businesses and them personally. I learned how they used social media to not only promote themselves, but their business. And it wasn’t just women, and now men, saying, “well I heard from a friend,” members themselves were the ones using and succeeding with social media. It showed to me you can take something you have fun with and like, and use it to benefit your future without taking away from who you are.

It’s rewarding to see a group of people who aren’t about one upping each other for that client, or being catty towards each other. At the end of the day, it’s about women and men coming together in a positive way with a goal to be successful and help others. Being probably one of the youngest members of Arizona Women Networking, it has been a rewarding experience because I can actually see women like me be successful in a positive manner, and know I can do it too.

Maria Konopken