As promised, I devoted over an hour today to working my LinkedIn network. First I answered the questions that popped up when I went to my profile, which took about 10 minutes. My profile is complete. I’m happy with it and ready to move on from this starting point.
A pop-up on the site asked me if I wanted to connect with some 700+ folks who must’ve at some time or another emailed me. I was familiar with over 1/2 the names, but not interested in connecting with all of them. I selected about 200 from the list and sent out the automatic invitations from the site to those parties. I’ve already been accepted by 60 today.
Tomorrow I will write a personal note to each person who accepted my LinkedIn offer and spend time seeing what they’re up to.
I’m actually attending a live event in the city tomorrow, so I will have a comparative experience and see which feels like where I want to spend my time.
I feel excited to be undertaking this experiment in collecting comparative networking data and tracking where I have greater enjoyment and success. I feel optimistic and engaged in the process of exploration.
Has anyone else dug in too?
So great to read about professionals like you taking a chance on LinkedIn. I encourage you to not only complete the fields of your profile, but to infuse them with a passion for your work and an extra helping of your beautiful personality.
I also strongly encourage you to not COMPARE LinkedIn Networking to In Person Networking, but to embrace them both to supercharge your efforts! As soon as you get home, (or AT the event as you meet people with your smart phone in hand) take those business cards and invite the people you meet, taking a few moments to note information in their profile that might help move your relationship to a new level of understanding by discovering common interests or experiences.
And for your new connections on LinkedIn, when you’ll be at local events, send a note to your local connections to alert them to the opportunity to meet you. If they say yes, be sure to review their profile BEFORE the event so you come with a sense of anticipation, already having a sense of how you might connect on a personal level.
I’d be honored to talk to you personally if I can help you in any way. If you don’t feel comfortable with a personal conversation, I invite you to learn more about how to empower your networking and your business with free training at http://rocklinkedin.com.
For now and for the future, I know you will continue to Rock On!
Lori Ruff
The LinkedIn Diva and new fan (Thanks Kare!)
@Lori
Wow! I feel like I just had a crash course from the master. Thank you. You bet I’d like to connect with you by phone and via LI. What great value you just brought to my blog.