Why you network = Why you use LinkedIn

In my opinion, LinkedIn is for you because it’s …

· proactive business development
· a great way to raise your personal profile
· your best personal marketing tool
· an effective use of your networking time
· brilliant for cross selling
· a help to reinvigorate relationships
· a comfortable way to grow your network
· going to get you more new business
· for people who don’t like networking
· it’s here to stay

I have studied LinkedIn for 12 months now and realise that when you understand its power, it’s as close to real live networking as won’t make a difference.

Im sure most of you will agree that we attend business events to;

(In alphabetical order)

• Find a new employee for your team
• Find out what the competition is doing
• Find someone who supplies….
• Gain useful information about…
• Get known by others
• Get others to know what you do
• Help others with their business challenges
• Increase your knowledge of…
• Introduce Jack to Jill for their mutual benefit
• Make new friends both social and business
• Meet key people and decision makers
• Raise your own and the company’s profile
• See if an existing client needs other services
• Spot potential new business

All of these can be done using LinkedIn also!! Over the next couple of weeks, I will be looking at each of these in more detail, and showing how you can incorporate LinkedIn into your existing networking strategy, starting with;

Finding out what the competition is doing...

Not only does LinkedIn focus on individuals but also on companies. When you click the ‘More…’ button and click ‘companies’ you see will see a detailed overview of companies, including a search facility, plus you can browse companies by industry and those in your extended network. A great way of keeping up to date with the latest developments in your industry.

Please don’t cause embarrassment through LinkedIn relationships!

Networking, whether it’s face-to-face or online, requires patience and suitable timings. It takes time to build relationships. Get to know someone, start to build rapport, find common ground and see what you can offer or give someone early on. Create trust by becoming reliable and then watch the relationship start to blossom. I do find sometimes people are too quick to;

• Want to link in even though you’ve never met
• Request recommendations from you
• Ask for introductions to others

Request a FREE copy of my special article on how get it right using LinkedIn.

Dont forget...

Building relationships can be a sensitive and vulnerable time in our lives. Getting it right produces mutual benefits and comforting long term associations. Getting it wrong can sometimes cause upset, embarrassment and disappointment. It’s simple really; try to give something first and get your timings right!