The power of networking online is huge! There are many sites available, and it seems there is a new one coming out almost every week. So how to you chose which one to use? Not sure. Keep in mind what type of networker you are and how much time you really want to spend building your network.
I’ve found many different types of people on LinkedIn, and I am going to break them into two groups.
Those who openly network.
Those who do not openly network but want to join your network.
I think the first is self-explanatory, but I do want to rant a bit (of course I do) about the second. Why not give to get? I had a conversation with one of my connections earlier this year who just did not seem to “get it” when it came to networking. He was insistent that he did not want to share his connections for fear that somebody would steal them. Seriously (I asked)?
On a site with over 20 million people, who are connected up to 3 degrees away, the probability that your connections are not at least, somehow, connected with somebody else is a preposterous idea. After a few “zings” back and forth, I had to end the conversation.
Fast forward 4 months. I check my LinkedIn (my friend is still not an open networker) and see a request for an introduction from said friend. Interesting. So, I wrote back and let him know I could not forward the introduction for various reasons; the main reason was my belief that I could not promote somebody who will not share their connections but expect somebody else to share theirs.
Needless to say, I removed him from my contacts. Yes, that might have been brash, hasty, and a little stubborn.
So, I ask you. Are you an open networker, closed, or selfish (like above)? I would really like to hear from people on both sides of the fence.
If you are somebody who allows others to see their contacts, feel free to send me an invite. To answer you beforehand, no I never have nor will go through somebody’s contacts to invite them. However, the power of connecting now may mean a resource at your fingertips later.
