Networking On Line – Should I be Linked In?
I get asked this question a lot. “Should I have a profile on Linked In?” The answer is probably, yes, but like all things you do in business you should have a purpose for doing so.
Here are some of my tips that can apply to networking in general, not just on line, so here goes.
Take time to find out about the basic “rules” or “etiquette” of the networking site or organisation that you want to participate in. There are many places you can network on-line and off line. The internet is a huge, interconnected place so make sure you check out the groups before joining in. Remember that bad “word of mouth” can travel quickly, especially in cyberspace, so any misdeeds will catch up with you faster than you think. Just search for “Cat dumped in wheelie bin” for an example
Have a specific goal or aim for your networking on line. Your profile in linked in says when it is 100% complete. Make sure that what you say about yourself matches what others know about you. Your profile must be aligned with what you do. Don’t just put up part of your profile and leave gaps to be filled later, make sure it fits in with your plans.
Always make sure your actions online match your goals and plan, because your “virtual” presence to people who don’t know you is all they know about you.
So that you stand out from the crowd, work out how you provide value to the people who want to connect with you. It’s all about building relationships with the people that you want to network with. Having the “farming” mindset rather than the “hunting” mindset will help you succeed. By offering value to others will funnel people towards you, the trick is not trying to “sell” to them once you’ve connected. Be generous in helping others and show an interest in them to help build your relationship.
Does your profile offer valuable links and downloads? Do you build relationships with people that make you the “go to” person for knowledge and connecting people? Do you contribute to discussion groups that demonstrate your credibility and knowledge?
To build your “on line” visibility, start by joining discussion groups in networks or forums that are around your expertise. In linked in you can search in “groups” to find these. If you don’t see a group, then start one up yourself and invite your network to join in. Either way, it’s a great way of building visibility, but you have to join in! By participating in the discussions, you are building your visibility and credibility. You can enhance your credibility by contributing to discussion groups by being a giver, especially to the influential people in the groups. Offer to help people and they will, in turn help you.
I often hear it said that life is a participation sport, so join in. The same is true of on-line networking, don’t just wait for people to connect to you, be active in building your contacts and then work on building your relationships.
When offering assistance, try and do it specifically, rather than just spamming your whole contacts list. Be choosy with whom you build your relationships, and that is why having a plan at the outset is so important.
Once you’ve built up your connections on linked in, keep the momentum going on building your relationships. Your aim, as with all networking is to build relationships, so make a point of following up with people. Keep in touch on a regular basis to see if there is anything you may help them with.
Article provided by Huw Lewis of the Referral Institute South Wales