Imagine getting invited to the networking event of the century. Everything needs to be just right; your personal and professional presentation must be impeccable, your introduction skills will require some rounding out and you will definitely need to perfect the art of conversation. Did I mention that there will be 500 million people at this event? This, my friend, is the world of LinkedIn.
It’s really not that intimidating. Just like anything else, you’ll need to be yourself but not in the same way that you would on Facebook, Instagram or Reddit. LinkedIn has some unwritten rules about how to not connect, what not to share and how not to be “that” person on LinkedIn. Let’s review, shall we?
Turn Off #1:
Do not just hit “Connect”. You wouldn’t just walk up to a stranger at a networking event and hold their hand would you? No. So don’t do that on LinkedIn. By just sending out a blind request to connect will not do anything for you or your business. If there is someone on LinkedIn that you would like to connect with, send them a personal note with your connection request. Reference something interesting in their profile or talk about a mutual connection. By making it personal you are far more likely to connect and make a proper impression.
Turn Off #2:
Do not post selfies. Do not share pictures of your food. NO. Cat. Videos. LinkedIn is a professional network. People come to your profile to see how you conduct business, why you conduct business and with whom you do business with. This is a forum for solving business problems and connecting with your professional target market. Use this platform as a way of showing off your knowledge and expertise in you field, but in a helpful way. Educate and inspire and people will do business with you.
Turn Off #3:
Every networking event has “that” person. Maybe they present themselves provocatively. (I’m talking about everything from too short a skirt to a politically charged t-shirt.) Possibly they like to corner helpless people just to endlessly talk about themselves. Sometimes “that” person is just moving from body to body collecting business cards like trophies. LinkedIn has all of these players too. Think quality over quantity. Every connection on LinkedIn is a potential referral, partner, colleague or friend and you never know where each connection is going to take you. Make sure that you don’t become “that” person by making empty connections and only thinking of yourself. Use LinkedIn as a way to lift others up and the same will eventually come to you.
….and it’s FREE!
LinkedIn can do trememdous things for you and your business. When used properly, the upside potential is limitless and do you want to know the best part? It doesn’t have to cost you one red cent! All you need is time and some thoughtful effort and you will soon discover that your LinkedIn professional network has grown into something meaningful and successful. Who could ask for anything more?
Imagine getting invited to the networking event of the century. Everything needs to be just right; your personal and professional presentation must be impeccable, your introduction skills will require some rounding out and you will definitely need to perfect the art of conversation. Did I mention that there will be 500 million people at this event? This, my friend, is the world of LinkedIn.
It’s really not that intimidating. Just like anything else, you’ll need to be yourself but not in the same way that you would on Facebook, Instagram or Reddit. LinkedIn has some unwritten rules about how to not connect, what not to share and how not to be “that” person on LinkedIn. Let’s review, shall we?
Turn Off #1:
Do not just hit “Connect”. You wouldn’t just walk up to a stranger at a networking event and hold their hand would you? No. So don’t do that on LinkedIn. By just sending out a blind request to connect will not do anything for you or your business. If there is someone on LinkedIn that you would like to connect with, send them a personal note with your connection request. Reference something interesting in their profile or talk about a mutual connection. By making it personal you are far more likely to connect and make a proper impression.
Turn Off #2:
Do not post selfies. Do not share pictures of your food. NO. Cat. Videos. LinkedIn is a professional network. People come to your profile to see how you conduct business, why you conduct business and with whom you do business with. This is a forum for solving business problems and connecting with your professional target market. Use this platform as a way of showing off your knowledge and expertise in you field, but in a helpful way. Educate and inspire and people will do business with you.
Turn Off #3:
Every networking event has “that” person. Maybe they present themselves provocatively. (I’m talking about everything from too short a skirt to a politically charged t-shirt.) Possibly they like to corner helpless people just to endlessly talk about themselves. Sometimes “that” person is just moving from body to body collecting business cards like trophies. LinkedIn has all of these players too. Think quality over quantity. Every connection on LinkedIn is a potential referral, partner, colleague or friend and you never know where each connection is going to take you. Make sure that you don’t become “that” person by making empty connections and only thinking of yourself. Use LinkedIn as a way to lift others up and the same will eventually come to you.
….and it’s FREE!
LinkedIn can do tremendous things for you and your business. When used properly, the upside potential is limitless and do you want to know the best part? It doesn’t have to cost you one red cent! All you need is time and some thoughtful effort and you will soon discover that your LinkedIn professional network has grown into something meaningful and successful. Who could ask for anything more?
