Networking is defined by YourDictionary.com as the practice of making contact and exchanging information with other people, groups, or institutions. Networking used to be in person, but now it can be performed online as well.

Twitter is a great place to network. Networking online may or may not be easy as it depends on your comfort level. One thing to remember is networking is good for business.

Networking that is done properly can be helpful. You need to talk to the people that attend networking events. Discuss their business and how you can help them grow. Find out who their ideal customer would be and help them find each other.

You need to make a list of the people you talk to and write down the information they share with you. This will help you recommend others to them. Then you'll need to make sure they know that the recommendation came from you.

Now when you do this on Twitter it may be a little more difficult, but this can still be done. You are still able to ask questions, but it will need to be done through the posts and you'll have to use 140 characters or less.

Now one thing you need to remember when you're networking is that it's all about the people you're talking too. You need to find out all you can about their business and who their ideal customer is so you can refer people to them whenever it's possible.

Now if every person were to do networking properly nothing would be happening. Someone has to be the person sharing all of their business information. So the question remains. Is it ok to advertise on Twitter?

The answer is yes it is ok to do this. You need to share this information with others so they can help you grow just like you would do for others. Networking on Twitter can't happen if you don't offer your assistance in help others to help you grow.

If you don't offer up the information needed for others to help you grow through networking, then by rights, you aren't doing the other side of networking properly. It's a give and take relationship so to speak. You have to give a little and take a little.

Now there is such a thing as too much advertising on Twitter. I read a post on Twitter a while back ago that said for every one ad you place; you need to make seven non-business related posts. These posts can retweets, tips, suggestions, regular conversation, or posts that contain helpful information.

Networking is not an easy task and there is no right or wrong way to do it. What you do need to remember is that you need to do both sides of networking. You must give information to others so they can help you grow, but at the same time you need to gather information from others so you can help them grow.

When you network this way on Twitter, you'll grow your business and you'll help others grow. This is what networking is all about.

Corrie Petersen runs a successful Virtual Assistant business. She enjoys helping others grow their business through social networking. Check out her website at http://www.virtualfreedom4you.com to see how she can help your business.