Jun
26

8 comments

The Art Of Connecting On Linkedin

Since I started writing this blog and created the Tim’s Strategy website, LinkedIn Group and Twitter account, I get a lot of requests to connect on Linkedin. That’s great because I am really enjoying the process of meeting and often helping many new people.

But I’ll tell you it is a lot of work.

Frustrating some times.

If you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you know that I am more of LAMB than a LION (Linkedin Open Networker) and require at least a phone call before I connect with someone new on Linkedin.

That policy (see below for related posts) requires a number of e-mails back and forth to coordinate a time to talk. And then there’s the talking. I ask for 5 minutes but most calls go for 15-20.

Are You a LION Or A Lamb? How To Survive On Linkedin.

A Top 10. The Best Job Search Groups on Linkedin.

Linkedin Job Search Groups . . . After You Join.

And I have no problem taking that time in the early morning and evenings because for me it has paid off in stronger networking relationships. Ones that I can tap down the road if I need to do so.

So this post is a quick reminder of that . . .

If you want to connect with me on Linkedin . . . great! But please don’t send me a one-liner.

“I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

I’m not that easy.

Marleen Graham who manages a Linkedin group called Success Through Networking, started a discussion there this week about the best ways to approach people on Linkedin. Go join her group and check out that interesting discussion.

I added an example there of a nice note someone wrote to me. They introduced themselves, told me how they found out about me and considered how our connecting on Linked might benefit us both.

Simple and very effective.

Please. Take the time to approach people with respect. And make sure you personalize every note you write on Linkedin.

It matters.

Even the LIONs like a little love and attention now and then . . .

By the way, if you are still unsure about how to connect on Linkedin (LION or Lamb), I encourage you to read an excellent post by Neal Schaffer (a great guy and a proud LION). He writes the Linkedin Questions Blog. You can read his post via the link below:

Why Are You A Linkedin Open Networker (LION)?

Comments

Nikhil Vaswani June 29, 2009 @ 10:14 am

Well put. Given the power of LinkedIn and its impact on one’s personal and professional profile, it makes a lot of sense to get choosy about who you decide to network with.
By the way, I am new to LinkedIn too and have found this resource quite useful. It is a new book called “How to REALLY use LinkedIn” by networking expert Jan Vermeiren. Check it out, you can find a free lite version at http://www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com/
Tim Tyrell-Smith June 29, 2009 @ 10:20 am

Thanks Nikhil. Appreciate your comment and the link for Jan’s book.
Shaun Gisbourne July 4, 2009 @ 11:58 am

Second the recommendation to Jan’s book, not because I’ve read it (yet), simply because Jan truly is a master networker who walks his talk, and unlike the overtly outgoing recruiters and LIONs that dominate the numbers equation on LinkedIn he’s actually quite introverted by nature and therefore a breath of fresh air.
mktg_jules July 6, 2009 @ 5:23 am

I have a question about how to handle someone that isn’t following ‘the rules’.
I was recently in a situation where I connected on LinkedIn with someone I met at a networking event. I offered to help this person with their job search since I thought I might have some relevant contacts. However, this individual apparently utilizes LinkedIn in a different manner than I do. I received an email that said:
Could I ask about the attached list of connections from linkedin.com. I can’t get the “link in through a connection” thing to work so can I ask for your help with emails and/or phone numbers.
I nicely explained that I didn’t feel comfortable doing that, but if there was a specific request for a specific person, I would be happy to forward through the ‘introduction’ tool on LinkedIn and even offered to walk this person through using that tool.
The emails following this were frustrating because we clearly had divergent perspectives on how to use LinkedIn. This person even requested that I just blast off their contact info to that list of my contacts, which isn’t something I would typically do (especially not at this point).
Was this my mistake for offering to help too early on in our ‘relationship’? I just never saw this coming and I’m not sure how to avoid or handle a situation like this in the future. Any advice?
Tim Tyrell-Smith July 6, 2009 @ 7:03 pm

@mktg_jules . . . great question. This is one of the reasons I like to establish a connection with people over the phone before I connect on Linkedin. It allows you to get a sense of who they are and what value they might see in connecting with you. It is a great filter!
I really like the fact, however, that you were willing to help someone new. It is a shame that they tried to take advantage. Either naive or just presumptuous. Both bad. I wrote a post earlier in June called “9 Ways To Bruise A Networking Relationship” – the person you met definitely left you feeling bruised (or so it sounds). You were right not to blast his info to your contacts and they were wrong to ask.
My advice? Do the best you can for people but do so within reason. If people try to take too much from you, tell them so (as you did). If they insist for more, let them go. De-connect and move on to others more willing to give back. There are plenty of us out there . . .
Thanks for a wonderful comment and question!
Julie July 14, 2009 @ 11:50 am

Thanks for the great advice Tim!
Tim Tyrell-Smith July 14, 2009 @ 9:23 pm

Hi Julie and thanks! Hope you are still writing!
Steven Burda July 21, 2009 @ 7:54 pm

Well said!
Thank you!
http://whywebpr.com/burda

The Art Of Connecting On Linkedin

Other Posts You Might Like:

Comments

Something to say?

Download a Free E-book

Find A Career Expert

Join my Watchlyst

What I Write About:

“Like” on Facebook

Career Books

Blog Roll

Featured Here

Favorite Resources

What I Write About:

Popular Job Search Engines:

Social Media And Career Sites: