The Linkedin Athens Area Networking InGroup is now more than 175 members strong. All professionals in the Greater Athens area now have an opportunity to be a part of one of the largest networking groups in Athens while also increasing their web exposure.

Linkedin has added additional features to its groups menu.  Members of the Athens Area Networking InGroup are now able to put RSS Feeds from their personal Blogs, Web sites, or Podcasts onto the Group page at Athens Area Networking to have a direct uplink to other members in order to share their vast knowledge and array of services with all of the membership. 

Since the first post of this column a few weeks ago our membership has increased by about 10%.  Please let me emphasize that we are looking for anyone in making their business grow through online connections at Linkedin as well as through a face to face venue where you can tell us about what you do and hope through building relationships to work into a referral network as well, please join us!

"If you are looking for a place to network with other professionals in the Athens Georgia area, look no further.  You are cordially invited to join the Athens Area Networking InGroup on LinkedIn.com.  Joining will allow you to find and contact other Athens Networking Group members on LinkedIn. This is an online presence for The Athens Area Business Network, which connects both local and regional in-person and online events and resources. Our LinkedIn group is open to networkers predominantly in Athens, Atlanta, and the Southeast. Come join us! The goal of this group is to help members: 

Reach other members of the Athens Area Networking InGroup 

Accelerate careers/business through referrals from Athens Area Networking InGroup members 

Know more than a name – view rich professional profiles from fellow Athens Area Networking InGroup members . On the online site there are places to share, post discussion or “brain storming questions,” post and review news, and receive updates on member topics.

Here’s the link to join: 
http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/149446/527C63466651 

Hope to see you in the group! We also have a monthly get together at Panera Bread posted on the Discussion Board at Linkedin.  We are also bringing the online presence down to “reality” by providing a venue for members to meet face to face to build relationships faster and provide a place where members can discuss what they do for a living, what their business is and what types of prospective clients they are looking for so that other members can be aware of how to help each other on a referral basis.  Oh, and there is no membership fees or dues.  This is a group of like-minded professionals who meet together simply to help each other’s businesses grow!"