TypePad for whatever reason has chosen to limit the comments to a posting to approximately 28 articles before going buggy. For those of you who like qualitative research, the comments from LinkedIn groups for this article will continue below. There's a great richness to reading dozens of comments from professionals generated in real time which we're glad to share with you.
Excellent article! I've been using LinkedIn for quite some time, mostly connecting with colleagues I already know, and staying in touch as we all move around in our career paths. I've just recently begun to utilize LinkedIn for purposes of networking to help heighten the visibility of my company, as well as being a resource to others if they can benefit from my thoughts. As this is a new level of networking for me, I've become aware and respectful of the etiquette while networking through social media. And I completely agree with Kathleen about quality networking, rather than amassing a huge quantity of contacts. Cultivating relationships is the key to long term success.
As I start to engage more in blogs and conversations on sites such as LinkedIn, I’m focusing my intentions on contributing substance and helping others, rather that fast-pitching my services. For instance, I like talking about HR issues and helping HR professionals and employees with HR issues at their company. That's fun, I can relate to that and I'll happily share advice freely all day. I'm actually in insurance benefits sales now, thanks to my background in HR, but I enjoy getting to know people and how I can help them much more than selling. So I’ll focus on the conversation-sharing and see how that impacts my networking success.
What sparks you – what expertise do you have that you could type forever passionately about? Now – do you jump in and share that passion that fuels you with others? If not, when would now be a good time to start?
Elizabeth Bibik - LinkedIn On Start-Up Group
toally agree with Kathleen, If one have lots of contacts but none of them can help secure what is needed, one will be basically doing social meet up gatherings rather than networking.
In the note, if they are quality contacts, one would have expanded his worth and grown.
Benedict Tan, LinkedIn On Start-Up Group
Agreed, Kathleen and Elizabeth. I love helping people and getting to know them. LinkedIn is a great way to share experiences and knowledge with others. Isn't that what it's about? There is a different reason each of us became LinkedIn members. We all have something that we hope to share with others and can benefit from. Building a relationship or just being friendly will go a long way for all of us to succeed together.
Renee Meulner, LinkedIn On Start-Up Group
Although I found the article slightly long and somewhat repetitive, I still understood the main advice directed to online networkers. I find it very helpful when people spend time to give advice to professionals (like myself) who are trying to get some returns for the product they offer and increase sales. i believe these practical points work and I do not wish to dispute the gains you will receive if you apply the strategy in practise.
The basic point in the 10 steps is that we should spend some time listening - this is its "buzz" word. However, what is sometimes hard to understand is that many sales people and promoters don't have TIME.
Sadly they often work to extremely tight deadlines, and the moment they grasp the opportunity to spend online is when they would like to inform their network about the opportunities they offer.
I know it is a tough call - if you wish results you'd better spend some tome making friends - however - I would only like to add a different perspective for the discussion here.
Kamelija Stefanova, LinkedIn Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators Group
Thank you for this article. I am on a little quest this year to get more people reading and responding to my live journal and it is hard work. I will have to look back at it as I continue to get people to discuss with.
Alexandra Bonomo, LinkedIn Those In Media Group
I'm very new to the entire online networking arena.The article provides things I can do and look for as I progress. Thanks for the tips.
Beth H LeWarn, LinkedIn Those In Media Group
I enjoyed reading your article and especially the "head" vs. "heart" distinction. I also find myself referring people to the "How to Win Friends and Influence People" principles. Carnegie will be a classic for as long as there are people to meet. Thanks for your article!
Carina "Su Mejor Amiga", LinkedIn Those In Media Group
I believe the goal of networking on a platform like LinkedIn needs to be to meet and make new contacts; similar to Facebook or other social media sites, many people tend to build their network only around those individuals they already know. Targeting people with power and reach, education or information you value or generating new discussions to drive interest in your offerings, within and outside your industry and pursuing introductions can be an effective way to make better use of the tool and grow a valuable network; but obviously requires more time and work.Just posting a profile online and thinking it will do the work for you is a pitfall I assume many fall into. People have to get engaged to make this work.
Andrea CinqMars, LinkedIn ! Sales Best Practices Group
Great article Andrew! As an old school corporate marketing guy, I have found the shift to the new social network marketing paradigm to be challenging.
Corporate marketing has always been about polishing image and hiding the warts. These skills take time to master, and yet create behavioral patterns that are difficult to break.
Your point, I think, is we need to re-learn the art of presenting an "authentic self" if not, the resulting posts come off as self-serving, off-putting and transparent. Equally true in business, social networking and our personal lives. Look forward to reading your follow up.
Andrew Wart, LinkedIn Animation, Media & Entertainment
Nice article. Thanks for sharing it, Andrew.
Raffy Perkson II, LinkedIn Canada Business and Professional Network
Well written as well as well thought through.
Richard L. Damrow, LinkedIn China Business Group
Thank you for sharing your knowledge in online networking. I HIGHLY recommend the artical.
Casey Xiao-Morris, MBA GLS, LinkedIn China Business Group
That was a great article. Thank you. When will you issue the "Next 10 Reasons"?
Patrick Nelson Marshal, Dubai Business Network Group
In my opinion, number 2 (Broadcasting) hits it right on. If you broadcast something rather than discuss, there's no reason a person should reply to the post. People like discussing, helping, and advising others. When broadcasting, the person is saying "Listen to me, I know everything already, and I have nothing to learn from you." People on social networks aren't looking for your product, or anyone else's. It's the last thing on their mind. They are looking for a great discussion. The best response is in striking up real discussions, like what barriers and challenges do you have, what would you do different, where do you think things are headed, and can we assist you? I think I speak for the majority of the people, since I am not a salesperson, and find them quite bothersome at times. The good ones I like talking to. Good article.
Jamie Spartz, LinkedIn Innovation People Expert Innovators Creative Network Group
True Jaimie - its all in the question & true intrest in the person. Not too different from the real life networking I guess. But then again what would you find a good question?
Ps. Andrew I opt for Attiude... does it all the time ! Have an Attitude day -
Paul VdB, LinkedIn Innovation People Expert Innovators Creative Network Group
Good article. Thanks for sharing. So much of what we do today in terms of networking needs to be conversational. The article hits on the "broadcast" mode that most of people employ. Broadcasting mode ignores a couple of things. First and foremost, listening! It's not a conversation is it's a one-way communication. Conversation, by its nature, is dialog.
Keith Knox, LinkedIn IABC Group
Thanks Andrew. This article is a good reminder that the reasons people like you in your social life are many of the same reasons that people will like you and want to work with you in business as well.
Catherine Cassidy, LinkedIn IABC Group
I'd also like to add my appreciation for this article. I have been struggling with how best to interact with my online networks and have hesitated to use the broadcast mode. You article articulates well why I've intuitively had trouble with the idea of trying to "sell" to contacts. I've had professional networks (without the technology we now have) for years and when I've felt best is when I'm helping others to connect with people or ideas that might be useful for them, and not thinking about what they can do for me. Those activities and interactions over the years have only strengthened my networks. Its the same attitude we need in these online communities.
Cindy Barnes Ochoa, LinkedIn IABC Group
Definitely plenty of good food for thought -- especially on a personal level. What I find trickier is being conversational and interested in others when using social media for organizational purposes.
James Howe, LinkedIn IABC Group
Create trust in you will make your online networking success,be transparent in your profile dont hesitate to provide correct details more you provide then pepole will trust you more,expose your self wide and have broad mind definately the online gives success.
A. Jeevandas, LinkedIn Marketing Executives Group
Online networking on LinkedIn is tough because most of the posts are not networking attempts. Look at the vast majority of them. They are not networking attempts, they are sales pitches. A topic is posted with the intent of selling a product, not getting ideas from others or trying to connect with others.
Patrick Mullen, LinkedIn Marketing Executives Group
To treat online networking as I treat offline networking - to extend the hand of friendship, not a hand to grasp. To network and meet people without expectations. To share of myself, so that I may attract with my expertise rather than bombard people in networking groups with information.
I learned this from Nancy Marmolejo, one of the experts in social networking. For more about Nancy and her coaching in this field, please visit my website, www.sevenoaksconsulting.com and visit the Marketing Tools section of my site.
Jeanne Grunert, LinkedIn Marketing Executives Group
A world famous networking organization that started with 6 men around a lunch table in Chicago over 100 years ago put it quite simply when they encountered this same problem....they coined a simple motto: "Service Above Self". Some years later one of that organization's members in an attempt to turn his own Company around penned this famous, principle-centered philosophy: "Of the things we think, say and do....ask yourself 1) Is it the TRUTH; 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned; 3) Will it build better FRIENDSHIPS; 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned.
If more people adopted these simple true-north foundations to their networking, we would all be better off.
Mark Zaffrann, LinkedIn Marketing Executive Group
Online networking doesn't work because people have the wrong expectations.
When someone follows you on Twitter, friends you on Facebook, or joins you on Linkedin, you expect them to know and care about you at the same time. That's both funny and wrong.
Change your expectations, and maybe you will find the outcome a lot more acceptable.
Jay Zheng, LinkedIn Marketing Executive Group
Say something people want to hear and that adds value to the conversation at hand. Too may folks spout their company line, or just repeat what everyone else is saying. When you respond to a post, give concrete examples and share an actual experience, just don't restate the problem. It's like people don't want to share because they are afraid someone else will steal their idea or intellectual property... who knows, maybe some folks feel like they need to be paid to share insight. To me, a successful interaction happens when someone follows up with me offline with more questions, or they ask to connect with me because of my postings.
Jeanne Hellman, LinkedIn Marketing Executive Group
Social networking/media for me is to become involved in conversations and provide feedback when I do have something useful that will help another person - no strings attached. I do believe it's more important to understand the interactivity that social sites offer before becoming involved with one. I view LinkedIn as a professional network vs Facebook for friends.
If I engage in a LinkedIn discussion I provide solid examples of what I've seen work and not necessarily examples of what I've personally been involved with. I would like to think there are thought leaders in LinkedIn. Sometimes I question that as many do a "pitch".
On Facebook...it's very personal to me. It's my personal group of friends and my tonality is entirely different. Although my Facebook is personal, I would never post something that would cause a future employer to question hiring me. I'm often surprised to see what people do on social networking sites.
Kim Soth, LinkedIn Marketing Executive Group
Could it be that Online Networking sometimes doesn't work - because we sometimes don't work? We cannot blame a system for its innefectiveness - only our inability to use the system effectively.
There is always a system for success - discover the 'who' and the 'how' will show up.
Rik Schnabel, LinkedIn Marketing Executive Group
Networking is about to connect people and be connected. Unfortunatelly most of members here are using just a point of iceberg, looking for some jobs. People are getting connected and asking for a job. But if you look some groups it always the same people that are starting discussions and showing his point of view.
Building Networking just to have connections here in Linkedin has the same function as the old visit card change in some International fairs.
I'm trying to change some ideas with professionals in my segment in order to find best practices and sharing my knowledges with others. When I found a good position in another area, I try to check im my Network whom will be intersting in this Position in order to help someone. Doing that I got the same from everyone I help. Good discussion. I'm looking foward to see your comments.
Gustavo Santos, LinkedIn Top Executive Net Group
Thought-provoking! I agree that people are interested in what you bring to the table just as you are interested in what they offer in terms of a contact. But what about new professionals who have recently stepped out into the work-force and need other established professionals more than the other way round. I am just trying to put this situation in perspective of what the article discusses - helping others first.
Penny Dorka, LinkedIn Toronto Entrepreneur Alliance Group
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