[01.23.09]

19 great comments!

How To Survive On LinkedIn

This is a two-topic post designed to explore a few different aspects on LinkedIn. Let me start by saying that LinkedIn has become a fantastic learning, exploring and marketing tool for me. I’ve met some great new people, introduced new job seekers to this blog and learned a lot about my industry and those of my connections. A far cry from my first use of the site a few years back.

For a lot of people, though, LinkedIn is a place to post your profile and then completely ignore it. Not good. I would rather not see you on LinkedIn if you are not going to take it seriously.

Topic #1 – Are you a LION or a lamb?

There is a great discussion regarding the best way to build connections and promote yourself on LinkedIn. In my view, you are either a LION or a lamb. If you are not aware, a LION is an “open networker” (LinkedIn Open Networker). That means that LIONs are looking to build the largest network possible by accepting all connection requests (including ones from complete strangers). In fact, once you get to a certain number of connections, you are no longer able to send invitations. Others must invite you.

So here comes my first point. Being a LION? I don’t get it. Honestly. I have heard LIONs say that their heart is in the right place. They say the more people they connect with, the more they can help. Really? Does anyone have the capacity to help 5,000 people?

Now before I go any further, let me say that I don’t think that LIONs are bad people. I just think it is totally unrealistic and impractical to amass thousands of names for (what seems to be) the fun of amassing).

My opinion was altered a bit, however, after I read a great post by Louise Fletcher over at Blue Sky Resumes called The 7 Mistakes You’re Probably Making on LinkedIn. In this post, Louise includes an argument for being a LION that, if you are actively looking for work, makes a lot of sense. She says “the more connections you have, the more likely it is that recruiters will find you . . . if you want to be found in the maximum number of searches, there’s no debate. Open networking is the way to go“. OK, being found sounds important. I get that part.

But what about after you’ve found your job. What then? Do your 5,000 connections get tossed into the rubbish bin until next you need them? What if a complete stranger wants to pitch a business idea to a good friend or former boss? Would you pass it along to them? If so, what would you say in your forwarding note? Perhaps something like “See attached. No clue who this guy is but, he’s in my network and can’t be all that bad!” If you say no or ignore the request, are you really an open networker or are you a “fair-weather open networker” – a FWON. Pronounced “fa-juan”.

You can probably guess that I am not a LION. But I didn’t get there overnight. I made some connection mistakes early on. The good news? You can fix it by going back in and cleaning out those folks who you don’t know, have never spoken to and perhaps never will. I will connect with someone I’ve not met, but I won’t do it without a phone call. What’s Your LinkedIn Policy?.

Topic #2 – How Many Groups Can You Join and Still be an Effective Contributor?

So much of the web is relating to joining and amassing, garnering and competing. There are points you can earn, authority you can build, status you can gain and there are plenty of collectibles. In some ways, the web is like a treasure hunt. It’s like going to Costco or Big Lots or a warehouse style antique store.

But the best analogy for me is a video game like Super Mario. While there are many objectives in Super Mario, the one that seems most gratifying is the collection of gold coins. You can run through them, jump for them and find them in secret places. It is fun to collect things – especially when it means that you are more important or more connected (credible) the more coins you have collected.

I am a group owner on LinkedIn (I have a small job search group called Tim’s Strategy). I also am a member of 29 others. Do I visit all of those groups each week to contribute? Nope. And I can’t imagine being a member of LinkedIn’s maximum of 50 groups. I think I can effectively be a member of 10 – 15 if I read each of the e-mail digests and pick one or two questions to answer from each one. Time to start trimming the hedges, I guess.

As I was pondering this issue today, an answer came in the form of an e-mail from Jacob Share of JobMob. Jacob writes a fantastic blog on job search and I receive his feed via e-mail. The e-mail I got today was titled “ Everything You Need to Know About Finding Jobs with LinkedIn Groups“. In this post, he identifies 16 Best Practices for Using LinkedIn Groups – including how to add (then filter) your group memberships, the importance of group size and how to manage all the new e-mail you get as a result.

So, my advice? Start slow as you add groups and connections. There really is no rush! Make your early connections good ones and find two or three groups to really participate in as often as you can. Once comfortable, join a few more groups and find n
ew connections that will really be there for you down the road.

If you do decide to send a connection request to a stranger (perhaps you have a few things in common), write them a nice note as to why you are contacting them. I always read those.

Oh yes, and remember, also ask them for 5 minutes!

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http://www.blueskyresumes.com/blog Louise Fletcher

Hey Tim,
You ask ‘what about after you find your next job?’ but I don’t think there is any ‘after’ anymore. You have to always be looking and always be ‘findable’ because jobs are lasting less and less time.
I recently started accepting most LinkedIn requests but that doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily recommend someone in my network to someone else. If I don’t know them, I’ll learn something about them. And then I’ll make the introduction honestly (This guy asked to meet you but I don’t know him personally. He seems smart based on the information he gave me).
I genuinely find the ‘lamb’ approach mystifying. To me networking isn’t about talking to people you already know. It’s about meeting new people. And I respond to requests for help on LinkedIn just as I would if I met you face-to-face for 5 minutes at a networking breakfast and gave you my card.
I think in the end it depends how you want to use the system and what your goals are. I don’t see it as the means to build meaningful relationships but rather as a means to be introduced to people. If I want to take that connection further I can do so outside of LinkedIn.
http://www.blueskyresumes.com/blog Louise Fletcher

Hey Tim,
You ask ‘what about after you find your next job?’ but I don’t think there is any ‘after’ anymore. You have to always be looking and always be ‘findable’ because jobs are lasting less and less time.
I recently started accepting most LinkedIn requests but that doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily recommend someone in my network to someone else. If I don’t know them, I’ll learn something about them. And then I’ll make the introduction honestly (This guy asked to meet you but I don’t know him personally. He seems smart based on the information he gave me).
I genuinely find the ‘lamb’ approach mystifying. To me networking isn’t about talking to people you already know. It’s about meeting new people. And I respond to requests for help on LinkedIn just as I would if I met you face-to-face for 5 minutes at a networking breakfast and gave you my card.
I think in the end it depends how you want to use the system and what your goals are. I don’t see it as the means to build meaningful relationships but rather as a means to be introduced to people. If I want to take that connection further I can do so outside of LinkedIn.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Louise – Sorry I missed this comment earlier for some reason. Thanks for providing a good counter-point here.
I would suggest you are more of an exception. If you are open to requests from people who have heard of you or have read your blog, that seems logical. But what if you had 3,000 connections – can anyone really maintain a network that big? All I am suggesting is that you look to connect prior to accepting. I have found the policy to be helpful in kicking off a relationship. And if people don’t want to touch base in advance, I have less confidence that they will take a call from me or pass along a connection request down the road.
Being a LAMB isn’t about talking only to people that you know, it is about qualifying your connections in advance through a quick phone call. Adding connections more slowly feels right to me.
I’ve decided, right or wrong, that LinkedIn is the place where a connection means I know something about a person – even if only based on a 15 minute phone conversation. And I don’t think I’m hurting either as I have access to a huge network with only 200 connections.
But, I will tell you I’ve learned a lot from the discussion that has been started with this post. I am more open now to connecting with new people. But I still want to know who they are . . .
Thanks Louise!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Louise – Sorry I missed this comment earlier for some reason. Thanks for providing a good counter-point here.
I would suggest you are more of an exception. If you are open to requests from people who have heard of you or have read your blog, that seems logical. But what if you had 3,000 connections – can anyone really maintain a network that big? All I am suggesting is that you look to connect prior to accepting. I have found the policy to be helpful in kicking off a relationship. And if people don’t want to touch base in advance, I have less confidence that they will take a call from me or pass along a connection request down the road.
Being a LAMB isn’t about talking only to people that you know, it is about qualifying your connections in advance through a quick phone call. Adding connections more slowly feels right to me.
I’ve decided, right or wrong, that LinkedIn is the place where a connection means I know something about a person – even if only based on a 15 minute phone conversation. And I don’t think I’m hurting either as I have access to a huge network with only 200 connections.
But, I will tell you I’ve learned a lot from the discussion that has been started with this post. I am more open now to connecting with new people. But I still want to know who they are . . .
Thanks Louise!
http://whywebpr.com/burda Steven Burda

Haven’t seen this before… but I just did!
Thanks!
http://whywebpr.com/burda Steven Burda

Haven’t seen this before… but I just did!
Thanks!
http://iicm.in Amit Gupta

LAMB could stand for Loves & Accepts Meaning Bonds
http://iicm.in Amit Gupta

LAMB could stand for Loves & Accepts Meaning Bonds
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Amit – Yes, that works . . .
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Amit – Yes, that works . . .
Thomas Johnston

First off Tim, I find your site and group to very informative.

As for my take on how I accept Linkedin invites I have mixed feelings. Most of my connections are those that I either know personally or have over the course of time interacted online via email or other social sites. There are a few though that I have accepted due to their being a member in one of the Linkedin groups I’m also in. I’m limited in the number of people in my network due to the fact that many I know personally are not on linkedin or have not kept involved with the site. Personally I find the site very valuable as I have received in the past calls regarding job possibilities. In fact, I’ve looked into also upgrading my account with Linkedin.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Thomas – Nice to know you’ve found the site helpful! I think if most of your connections are people that you truly know, you can be proud of the whole. Even if a few are strategic connections that are not well known. We learn as we go in life – thanks for sharing your views here . . .

Thomas Johnston

First off Tim, I find your site and group to very informative.

As for my take on how I accept Linkedin invites I have mixed feelings. Most of my connections are those that I either know personally or have over the course of time interacted online via email or other social sites. There are a few though that I have accepted due to their being a member in one of the Linkedin groups I’m also in. I’m limited in the number of people in my network due to the fact that many I know personally are not on linkedin or have not kept involved with the site. Personally I find the site very valuable as I have received in the past calls regarding job possibilities. In fact, I’ve looked into also upgrading my account with Linkedin.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Thomas – Nice to know you’ve found the site helpful! I think if most of your connections are people that you truly know, you can be proud of the whole. Even if a few are strategic connections that are not well known. We learn as we go in life – thanks for sharing your views here . . .

Linda Roach

First, I’m fairly new to LinkedIn and at first, found it to be a little intimidating. I totally agree with you, Tim, that if you aren’t going to “work” LinkedIn, it’s better not to have a Profile at all. Especially, if one ends up in the interviewing seat and the employer decides to look at your Profile and you aren’t doing anything with it. Also, what a great place to have recommendations! If you ask an employer for a letter, you may get it right away, or wait days or weeks. On LinkedIn it was a simple request and they responded ASAP! They didn’t have to get out stationery and mail it. I have cut & pasted these recommendations into a document that often I provide with my resume. So.. someone told me about your blog and I’ve been enthusiastically reading it and clicking on links to “learn” more. I’m a researcher by heart, executive assistant by profession. I am connecting with a few..former colleagues..and a few members of a job seekers group (being somewhat selective). I consider myself assertive and driven, so of course, I want to surround myself with others who are as well. I am beginning to find that in exploring groups, connections and other peoples’ connections that some of these people I selected were a strategic move for me, as they “know” people at companies and can provide an introduction for me. Wow. Now, that’s networking and getting to the source. Who knew?! LinkedIn is what you make it. I don’t need 300, 500 or 3,000 connections…just the right, few connections. I’m glad you’re one of mine, Tim. Thanks for all you do.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Linda for sharing your philosophy – people learn a lot when they read of your experiences and compare them to their own. Appreciate knowing you!

Linda Roach

First, I’m fairly new to LinkedIn and at first, found it to be a little intimidating. I totally agree with you, Tim, that if you aren’t going to “work” LinkedIn, it’s better not to have a Profile at all. Especially, if one ends up in the interviewing seat and the employer decides to look at your Profile and you aren’t doing anything with it. Also, what a great place to have recommendations! If you ask an employer for a letter, you may get it right away, or wait days or weeks. On LinkedIn it was a simple request and they responded ASAP! They didn’t have to get out stationery and mail it. I have cut & pasted these recommendations into a document that often I provide with my resume. So.. someone told me about your blog and I’ve been enthusiastically reading it and clicking on links to “learn” more. I’m a researcher by heart, executive assistant by profession. I am connecting with a few..former colleagues..and a few members of a job seekers group (being somewhat selective). I consider myself assertive and driven, so of course, I want to surround myself with others who are as well. I am beginning to find that in exploring groups, connections and other peoples’ connections that some of these people I selected were a strategic move for me, as they “know” people at companies and can provide an introduction for me. Wow. Now, that’s networking and getting to the source. Who knew?! LinkedIn is what you make it. I don’t need 300, 500 or 3,000 connections…just the right, few connections. I’m glad you’re one of mine, Tim. Thanks for all you do.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Linda for sharing your philosophy – people learn a lot when they read of your experiences and compare them to their own. Appreciate knowing you!

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