Last week, I posted on the factors that go into your decision to accept an invitation to link or 'friend' someone on a social networking site. This week, the topic for discussion is who to invite to link to you on those sites - and how to go about it.
The first step is the same as it was when deciding to accept someone else's invitation: determine your purpose for engaging in this particular social media site. Have you decided that LinkedIn will be for business associates and Facebook will be for personal and family connections? If so, that decision will help you determine who you should connect with in those forums. But keep in mind that the lines between personal and professional can often be blurred - and there may be plenty of business opportunities hidden in your personal networks.
Some other potential objectives include:
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Establishing your expertise in a given practice area;
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Seeking job opportunities;
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Developing a network of referral sources; or
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Creating a network of resources for clients.
Once you've determined your objective, it will help you define the kinds of contacts you'd like to make. But how do you find the contacts you're looking for?
View your connections' profiles: See who your current clients, colleagues and other members of your network are connected to. If you spot someone you'd like an introduction to, simply contact the member of your network and request an introduction or propose a joint meeting.
Conduct a search on the social networking site. If you know the name of the individual you'd like to connect with or learn more about, search by name and review their profile. From there, you might get their web or blog address to learn more information. If you don't know the name of an individual, you can often search by company name, or visit the company's website to determine the name of the individual you'd like to meet. When you visit their profile, you'll see how you might be connected to them - which of your connections are connected to the person you'd like to meet?
Look at Groups. New groups are forming on LinkedIn and other social networking sites daily. If you want information about a particular industry, look at the groups that have been created for that industry and see if you can join. Then review the profiles of other group members and follow discussions to see who is providing valuable information and who might be a good connection for you or your business. Ask questions.
Review Questions and Answers. Many social networking sites have question and answer sections where participants post answers and experts (and non-experts) respond. See who's asking questions, who's answering them and who is providing valuable information. See who is pushing their product or service even when it isn't appropriate and who is offering real value.
Update your status. If want to make connections in a particular industry or you're seeking information from a specific group of people or you're working on a project, put that information in your status. Members of your network can view your status updates and provide connections or suggestions to help you achieve your goals.
Use your network - send messages. If you know there are people in your network who might have the kind of connections you seek or who have specialized knowledge that can help you with a particular project, reach out to them directly. Let them know what you're looking for and ask for their help.
Keep informed about the needs of your network. It is always better to give than it is to receive. Stay on top of what is happening within your network and be alert for ways that you can help your connections by making introductions or offering your services.
Send meaningful invitations. When you've found someone that you'd like to link to, the best way to link with them is to get an introduction. But if you can't find a good way to be introduced by a mutual connection, make your invitation to connect meaningful. Don't use the 'canned' invitation that's provided for you. Make the invitation personal. Tell the other person why you think there might be synergy between you. Let them know why it would benefit them to connect to you. Tell them how you know them, what mutual interests you have or what groups you're both members of.
Follow up. After you've made a new connection in the virtual world, follow up just as you would if you'd made a new connection - set up a telephone call or offer to meet in person to get to know one another better.
Great post.
A few additional thoughts to share.
1. To get benefit (and I firmly believe it is possible) it takes time. Be prepared to spend a few hours developing a complete profile and a number of hours creating your connections and overall strategy.
2. As a way to jump start one's efforts, a firm that offers great and relatively inexpensive webinars is www.integratedalliances.com
3. Some folks keep their linkedin connections closed. I think that defeats the purpose and I try not to connect with them.
4. You can remove a linkedin connection and that person is not automatically notified.
5. Create well thought out and customizable templates for your invitations and introductions.
Please visit my blog as well at http://rf-resources.com/index.php/site/blog/
Posted by: Robert Fligel | March 19, 2009 at 06:41 AM