How to Really Connect on LinkedIn
Nearly every day, someone asks me, “What’s the best way to get started on LinkedIn?”
Most articles on this topic begin by spouting the ‘steps’ to connecting with others.
I’d like to begin even earlier in that process and talk about you.
Remember how Mom used to say, “Just be yourself and people will like you!” or “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”?
Mom was way ahead of her time.
The real question isn’t, “What’s the best way to get started on LinkedIn?”, but “What’s the best way to prepare myself to get started on LinkedIn?”
You’ve probably heard or read quite a bit about authenticity, transparency and integrity; three key elements to social media success. But can displaying these qualities actually make a difference?
Very simply…absolutely. For anyone looking to really connect on LinkedIn, here’s the starting point. LinkedIn (in fact, social media in general) is about people…helping, sharing and connecting. If your neighbor’s lawn mower breaks down and he or she asks to borrow yours, you’d likely say yes, because the two of you have a relationship. You also inherently recognize your neighbor will return the favor, or perhaps another type of favor, if you asked. If a total stranger were to knock on your door with the same question, you’d likely say no and immediately think, “The nerve!”
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A genuine, authentic approach to connecting with others is vital. Wrap your brain around this ‘helping’ attitude before you begin. If potential LinkedIn connections smell ‘a pitch’, you’re done before you start. No pitch should be necessary when you’re connecting on a deeper level that says, “Let me help you, just because I can.”
How can you help? Be you; be real; don’t falsify who you are. Get involved in and create stimulating, informative valuable discussions others can debate generally, or post your comments and thoughts more privately within groups you have joined.
As people begin to know and trust you, lead generation will begin. This is a two-fold process:
1) As you listen to the real needs of others, you help solve their challenges.
2) When you give help, you get help in return.
I often joke that I keep my expectations low; therefore, I’m never disappointed, but often delighted. It’s not much of a joke, because it’s true. Relationship building takes time. That connection may blow you off with a polite comment today, but may be knocking on your door tomorrow, because you’ve taken the right steps to remain top of mind.
Social media is a marathon, not a sprint. Wishing for it to move faster isn’t going to make it so. You’ve got to do the legwork required. Over time, you’ll be glad you did, as your online reputation and credibility grow.
Interact at an authentic level with everyone you meet, and watch the real magic happen.
Victoria Ipri is CEO of Modello Media, Inc., an e-marketing strategy firm based in suburban Philadelphia, PA. She welcomes your questions and comments on this forum, or contact her directly at: ModelloMedia@gmail.com
Feel free to connect with the newest members of Green Buzz Agency Marketing department on Linkedin: Jennie Nowers, Brittney Grove, Jared Lee, and Jennie Ryon. Or join the Green Buzz Agency Linkedin Group.
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Hey Tod,
Nice write up, it’s so true that being genuine is the best approach. But I think it should also be mentioned that LI while being social media, still should be handled in a professional manner. Do you agree? Reason being is that those future connections can see that you do have something to offer professionally.
I have found LinkedIn to be a resource whose value grows exponentially over time as you learn to use it. I’ll give a small example – I posted a brief note that I just signed up to attend a BD event on my profile, and within a week 3 folks that I had lunch with asked about the event and are all going to attend as well. This simple little 30 second blurb on my LinkedIn has made it so now I will have 3 extra Business Partners at an event – which means 3 extra people that will talk to others and may come across someone interesting to me who can walk them over to introduce me (and of course viceversa – I can take someone I meet and intro them to someone I know who is in the room – how good a feeling is that to be a real connector in a room – you can gain instant credibility while helping others). The time investment to get your profile right is steep at first, but after the initial start the returns are huge as long as you follow the BD golden rule of “Give to receive”.
Solid post. Absolutely love the line social media is a marathon, not a sprint. It is all about engagement, but to be successful, you need to make a commitment to engage.
Of course you are right. Social networking started from real people BEFORE it went to the net, so it carried along with it all social norms. Among those norms is the idea of getting to know people….. that’s a lot of visits, lunches, dinners, picnics… that’s the real life ’support group’.
Good to be reminded of these simple truisms periodically, thanks.
This was excellent: the marathon metaphor is apt and the reminder about the social media trinity of authenticity, integrity & transparency is a point lost on many, I fear. Well done!
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