| Not "feeling the love" that is supposed
| |
| | If you're lucky, they'll just ignore you.
|
| to come from networking on sites like
| |
| | Multiple times. Your feelings might get
|
| LinkedIn? You're not alone! It's not easy
| |
| | hurt, but at least you won't score any
|
| to "get connected" successfully
| |
| | penalty points.
|
| regardless of how many people tell you
| |
| | If you are thinking of adding them to
|
| LinkedIn is the holy grail of
| |
| | your network, make no assumptions. Test
|
| professional networking.
| |
| | the waters offline before issuing an
|
| Here's how to minimize residual damage to
| |
| | invitation to connect to be on the safe
|
| your self-confidence and sense of worth
| |
| | side.
|
| when they're just not that "LinkedIn" to
| |
| | In the middle is everyone else. They may
|
| you.
| |
| | or may not know you but, if you can get
|
| 1. It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows
| |
| | up the courage to send an invitation to
|
| You!
| |
| | connect, there is a 50/50 chance they'll
|
| LinkedIn advises connecting only with
| |
| | accept if for no other reason than you
|
| those you know and trust. Which is great
| |
| | look like someone they really should know
|
| if you know a lot of people. Not so great
| |
| | (or at least give the appearance of
|
| if you're looking to meet new folks to
| |
| | knowing) or because they actually do know
|
| expand your network which is how most
| |
| | you and have decided to give you that
|
| people are "sold" on the system and why
| |
| | "virtual seal of social approval". Others
|
| they are using it to begin with.
| |
| | may accept because they have an agenda of
|
| Who needs another time-consuming
| |
| | their own to pursue and you look like
|
| networking tool to stay connected with
| |
| | someone they can safely approach with it
|
| people you already know? You have a
| |
| | sooner or later.
|
| relationship with them and probably keep
| |
| | Then there are the people who send you an
|
| in touch regularly via other ways and
| |
| | invitation to connect with them. Now you
|
| means.
| |
| | get to decide who's in and who's out.
|
| Don't be surprised if you find people you
| |
| | What's your standard "acceptance"
|
| know on LinkedIn, issue an "invitation to
| |
| | criteria going to be?
|
| connect", then don't hear back from them.
| |
| | 3. Make a More Memorable First Move!
|
| If you look closely, you may find they
| |
| | You can approach people you don't know on
|
| set up their profile a long time ago,
| |
| | LinkedIn but if you just send the
|
| never did much of anything with it, and
| |
| | boilerplate text provided for an
|
| aren't all that active in LinkedIn anyway
| |
| | invitation to connect don't expect many
|
| (if at all). Not much of a problem then.
| |
| | acceptances. Send a personal message;
|
| What is a problem is when these same
| |
| | give them a reason to want to connect.
|
| people respond to your invitation with a
| |
| | You'll be much more successful.
|
| "Doesn't know" tag. Get enough of these
| |
| | 4. Tell a Better Story!
|
| and LinkedIn will ban you forever. Ouch!
| |
| | Just how "attractive" are you on screen?
|
| 2. It's Not Who You Know, It's Who WANTS
| |
| | LinkedIn is not a "meet market" for
|
| to Know You!
| |
| | professional socializing. In fact, they
|
| LinkedIn has a defined social hierarchy.
| |
| | only recently started letting members
|
| Don't act surprised. Every society has a
| |
| | post photos on the site. But don't expect
|
| "pecking order"; this one just happens to
| |
| | to see much "action" in the networking
|
| be online.
| |
| | game if you haven't put much effort into
|
| At the top of the hierarchy is the "open
| |
| | your web presence.
|
| networkers". They call themselves LIONS
| |
| | Your professional profile tells a story
|
| (for LinkedIn Open Networkers). They
| |
| | about your connection worthiness. You
|
| typically have hundreds, if not thousands
| |
| | still have to "sell" yourself if you want
|
| of connections and advertise their
| |
| | to make decent connections; your
|
| openness to connecting with anyone. This
| |
| | "rejection" percentage will be high if
|
| does not mean you don't have to check
| |
| | you don't do a good job of it.
|
| their profiles; your "invitation to
| |
| | 5. Go for Group Gold!
|
| connect" can still be rejected. But it
| |
| | Does your profile read virtual
|
| does mean chances are good they'll accept
| |
| | wallflower? Check to see if you meet the
|
| thereby making it possible for you to
| |
| | criteria of specific groups or
|
| grow your network by connecting to them.
| |
| | associations. Then make group connections
|
| The downside is you're not likely to have
| |
| | and display your badge of acceptance
|
| a lot in common with a LION (unless
| |
| | (group label) on your profile. Depending
|
| choosing them wisely) which could make
| |
| | on the label, your "connection"
|
| building ongoing relationships harder.
| |
| | attractiveness could increase many times
|
| At the bottom of the hierarchy are the
| |
| | over.
|
| "closed networkers". These folks accept
| |
| | When using social networking tools like
|
| invitations to connect based on
| |
| | LinkedIn don't take anything that happens
|
| highly-defined known-only-to-themselves
| |
| | or doesn't happen in cyber-space
|
| criteria. Approaching them is very risky.
| |
| | personally. We all hunger for belonging,
|
| Even when you know them, worked with
| |
| | acceptance, validation and love; it's
|
| them, and possibly are even close
| |
| | just more productive to look for these
|
| personal friends with them, they still
| |
| | things in places other than online.
|
| might reject your invitation to connect.
| |
| |
|
