Tired of self-promotion? Would you like to make work and life easier, more productive and fun – 
with others? Here’s four ways others accomplish more together than you can on your own – and sometimes forge friendships.
1. Co-create Products, Cause Support and More
• From clothing design to science experiments, the right crowd can get more done together.
• Collaborate online for a cause or faster innovation – and to become more well-known.
• Crowdsource a contest; take it public.
2. Swap and Share
• Enjoy more travel by house swapping or other shared hospitality.
• Swap books, lightly-used clothes and more.
• Moms share everything from recipes to medical advice.
3. Get More Out of Meetings
• Organize meetings for those who share your interest and perhaps make money.
• Capture the benefits of twittering at conferences.
• Create conference formats that will excite and involve attendees.
• Start a mutual growth, support or mastermind group.
• Share ideas in a fast and fun way for everyone. Try Ignite and Pecha Kucha.
• Make conferences more popular by harnessing the right technology.
4. Attract Customers With the Right Partners and Methods
• Even and especially in a bad economy partnering can be profitable.
• Train others to teach your methods – even sell your stuff.
• Forge an alliance with a bigger business or other organization.
• Recruit an unlikely ally to attract more interest.
Now, what Me2We methods have you used to accomplish more with others?
Kare,
Thanks for the effort of pulling all of this together in one spot. You’ve created a great list with some powerful ideas to consider and implement.
Kare, great post as usual! I’ve found that the real benefits of social networking are mainly getting in touch with those you normally wouldn’t reach, and streamlining the process of thinking as a group. Some of my most pleasant surprises in social networking have been the connections and discussions I’ve shared out of groups on LinkedIn and Facebook — for those who actually take the time to add their thoughts to a discussion and try to contribute in a meaningful way the possibilities are endless.
Of course, the flip-side of the ease of social networking tools is that the folks who are trying to make “quick hits” and plaster their message everywhere find it easier to do so as well. My biggest frustration with the groups I contribute to is the avalance of “I’m looking for work” or “buy my widget” posts. None of them provide any value at all — which is a huge disappointment because if the submitters took a few minutes to pose a meaningful question or provide helpful information to the group it would get them exactly what they’re looking for (enhanced reputation, more leads, sales, etc.). The tendency for far too many is to be lazy and transparent instead of helpful and collaborative.