LinkedIn - Are You?
Several months ago, a colleague invited me to join her network on LinkedIn. I did, and it's been interesting to see what has happened and hasn't happened with this tool.
If you haven't heard of this tool, check it out. It's not just for the high-techies anymore. If you want to find clients, industry experts, references, reconnect with former colleagues and more, you'll want to know about this.
I am not a natural networker/chit-chatter with strangers, so the opportunity to conenct online was quite appealing!
The design of the tool - a system where through personal referral you can connect with people "several degrees of separation from you" - is a powerful one. No cold calls to make or receive, and as far as I can tell, a lot of good will. So far, so good.
What I'm learning is that even with a powerful online networking tool, I still have to be a networker to get any benefit from it.
To me this means reaching out frequently and creatively and asking for what I want. Gulp.
Oh yeah, and I coach people to do these very things every day! So best to put my money where my mouth is and stretch myself on this one. (I'm not going to bring out that "walk your talk" phrase because that is too corporate cowboy for me).
Smith College, my alma mater, has a group on LinkedIn that I was invited to join this week. I was invited because the creator of the group is connected to one of my connections. Now I am acquainted with more alumnae, some of whom I didn't know and live in Seattle. Pretty cool. I put myself out there with the group and told them what kind of support relative to my business I am looking for.
Where can you put yourself out there today? What connections will you make?
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