There are two ways to create a personal or professional network? One is online and the other is in person. Online networking is easy. Simply visit the web sites and chat rooms for associations and user groups in your area of interest. For example, if you are a software engineer, you can visit the message boards where other software engineers post messages. In this way you can use your peer network to sound out ideas, find job openings, and discuss industry trends.

The other way to network is in your local area. This requires a bit more work. You can try putting up signs on the message board at your local library, coffee house and bookstores, depending on what purpose of your networking will be. You can also join local groups like the Rotary or participate in your local Chamber of Commerce. Or, in keeping with the software engineer example, you can go to a national association of software engineers and ask for their local chapter contact information for your area.