Geert Conard is one of the greatest networkers in the world today and from cover to cover, this book is bursting with the cutting-edge tips and insights that he himself used to become a master networker.  His strategies will empower you to take significant steps forward in business and life and enable you to reach higher levels of success without spending another dime on marketing or publicity.  Whether you’re working on developing your face-to-face or online networking skills, this book will surely lead you to networking greatness.
Ivan Misner (NY Times Bestselling author and Founder of BNI)


Geert has been on a journey into Social Media and Social Networking that he has captured and shared in a very human and practical way. The book is like a conversation with a good friend and allows the reader to learn his tricks, learn the best tools and find their own way to build their online brand. This is a great read, fast, exciting and easy to digest, a must for anyone starting out in this new world.
Penny Power (Founder of Ecademy and author of ‘Know Me, Like Me, Follow Me - What Online Social Networking Means for You and Your Business’ )


Geert Conard knows the importance of using the available online networking tools in the right way, and this book brings that to our attention in a fascinating and pertinent way. Friends with Benefits is a wonderful read from beginning to end, and people in all fields will learn how to make online networking work for them without spending too much time on it. Geert lives and breaths what he talks about.
Byron Soulopoulos (CEO Brian Tracy Benelux)


Friends with Benefits is a book about networking with lots of "aha" moments for the serious networker. Personally, I liked the following quote the best:
“Networking is something you can only do as a person. Networking is something you should always do as a person. People will not refer others to you because they like the sound of your brand name or company name. They will only refer others to you when you have a good reputation and they trust you”. In a world where people are often more impressed with your title or the type of car you drive than the real you, I liked the fact that Geert underscored the importance of the individual and his personality rather than the image of his company. Back to basics from someone who understands what networking really stands for - excellent job Geert !
An De Jonghe (Founder of TrendQ and author of "Social Networks Around The World: How is Web 2.0 Changing Your Daily Life?" and "Sociale Media voor HR professionals")


Networking, whether face-to-face or online, is about quality of the content, like all other things. Geert stresses this insight in his new book and puts an end to the myth of sheer quantity of networking contacts. He is intelligently relating how a goal-oriented networking strategy uses both quantity and quality criteria for best results. To build our connections in this way saves energy, because it is more fun and yields better results. It also keeps us focused on the ‘give & receive’ principle which is more vitalizing than the simple ‘how to get to sales’ hunt, especially in an economy that might be perceived as tight. Geert shares valuable up-to-date information in his new book on how to create “Friends with Benefits” in an evolving new economy and a changing lifestyle connecting us globally.
Katharina Müllen (WinVitality.eu – Vital Transition in Organizations)


I connected with Geert via a message on Ecademy on 17 Jun 04;
I had the pleasure of meeting him in person in Denmark November 2008 for an International Business Event. First impressions: he was quite quiet; but when I persevered to get to know him I found that he was very deep, thoughtful and a man of integrity. The passion that he has for networking is very infectious. Also the methods he uses and his style of making sure  everything is perfect and of a high standard, makes Geert a good role model, mentor and inspiring for anyone new to networking and who are aiming for leadership. Geert's first book explains the power of the network - ie a friend in every city - and this follow up explains in more details, giving examples of people who find their business via networking, the social and business sites, web tools, hardware and software that helped to define the structure taken to build his network and brand.  Geert has included the people (and the details of what action they took) that he followed, what made the difference to his success with networking, and how learning from their expertise and experience built his brand and expertise. Business, advertising and marketing as we know it have changed. Therefore I would encourage anyone in business who either finds himselves well out of his depth with regards to networking or has just started and needs a strategy, to purchase "Girlfriend in every City" and also reserve your copy of "Friends with Benefits" to receive the benefit of Geert's knowledge that works, and use it as your working manual with a proven strategy to follow.  Your "Bible" for a purposeful structure to ensure you succeed in your networking, building your business and your brand. It’s a great honour to know Geert and to receive the benefit of his knowledge and experience!  I look forward to owning a copy of this new book!
Stella Holman (Ivey Business Services)

With this book Geert has done a magnificent work in explaining to us today’s situation on social networking.  He has also made a wise decision to not just quote other experts in their field, but to give them their own chapter in his book. Apart from just an enumeration of what networking is about at the end of 2009, this book gives wonderful tips on how to use it to your benefit.
That’s why I believe that the title covers the content in full. 
Good work Geert and thanks for trusting me on this proof-reading.
Jean Loyens (CEO Cherub BVBA)


The benefits, the tools and the 'how to' of social networking in a nutshell", that's what this book stands for. For the second time Geert proves he's a master in "Bringing the fast growing social networking world from its huge size and implications to its very understandable, easy readable, concise, yet complete basics".
This book is also much more ... in several aspects it is the example of what networking is all about:
By asking other successful networkers to write in 'his' book, Geert supports other people and the cross-fertilization of competences;
By orienting part of his book on the importance of networking in difficult economic times, he shows people an alternative way to success,
By concentrating on the essence of networking and its tools, he creates clarity in a complex world,
By writing his book, he shares his enormous experience in the world of social networking.
Up till today there are only 2 business-related books that I did read in one run, even in one breath ... they're both written by Geert Conard.
ir. Frans Vos Ph.D. (Materials Engineer, founder of Materials Consult)


Geert is a proficient, established and effective networker, one of the best, that wasn’t always the case. In this book and it’s companion ‘A Girlfriend in Every City’ Geert has told his story openly and warmly so that we can all learn from his journey. The experiences and opportunities Geert has had and his ability to communicate them mean that even if you have no experience of networking, or lots of experience, you will gain a lot from Geert’s insights. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his book.
William Buist (Abelard Management Services Ltd. and President of Blackstar)


Geert talks about (online) networking in such a passionate way that makes this book an excellent read. He shares his know-how and is not afraid to discuss many hot topics and misconceptions about (net)working online. Not based on hypothesis but from his proven successful hands-on experience. Therefore highly recommended. Jacco Valkenburg (Recruitment expert, trainer and author of ‘Recruitment via LinkedIn’ and ‘Solliciteren via LinkedIn’.)


Time & time again Geert proves to be a proactive & unstoppable Social Networker. Just as I thought he couldn’t share any more, Geert surprises me again. Being one of the most connected Networkers, who would have thought this would be his next move…’Smart One my friend!’. No more does Geert share his knowledge more through Ecademy, Facebook, Netlog, LinkedIn & Other Social Networks… we have glimpses of Geert ‘In Action’ throughout the Internet. Watch Geert RISE to become one of the World’s Greatest Top Social Networkers and Speakers. 
‘Well Done Geert!  Meet You At The Top’
Miranda O’Donoghue (Internet Marketing Expert)


Finally an easy-to-understand and clear view on what networking in 2009 is all about. 
While reading this book I experienced a lot of  ‘Déjà-vu’ moments, which is absolutely normal if you have known Geert for a while and work close together in the networking industry. Geert has made an excellent choice to invite several other experts to share their expertise in different chapters of his book. This emphasizes how networking really works in today's world. In his book Geert also focuses on the fact that networking is something you do as a person and not as a company. This is a statement I can stand for 100%. Geert, thank you for inviting me as a proofreader for your book !
Peter H. Claes (Gifts Guru and Managing Partner BGifts and CPMS)


In his second book Geert is taking you on a journey through how to use online networking with the tools available right now.
Step by step he is explaining the reader what he can do, and why YOU should do it.
I see social media networking as our first steps in creating our new society as a platform to change our organizations to use the technology already available.
We are stepping in a new era where we will shift from working together in big buildings executing detailed workflows / processes to a flexible workforce, with responsibility close to the people doing the work while management facilitating their company or team members. Enjoy this book and make time to speak or meet with Geert to learn more of his experience on Social Media Networking.
Toussaint van der Wal (Manager Prodigma Consulting BVBA)


Geert is not just making connections, he is building relations. He is not a dull theoretician of networking - he is one of the best networkers in the world to whom networking is way of living. Enjoy his magical book which demonstrates that good values like friendship, loyalty, mutual help etc still exist and start living them too. Just like Geert is doing it - with big success, passion for people and life in general, and with his whole heart. Thank you, Geert, for this wonderful book and for sharing your experiences with us.
Andreja Lajh (Business Relationships Developer, Connector for Green Energy Projects and Founder of No Limits Networking & Gourmet)