Would you attend a networking event with a bag over your head? Of course not. But people do it all the time.

This was the analogy I used this week while running an online training for a client.  It got a good laugh.  But the more I thought about it the more it is exactly right. Why would anyone put up a profile on a networking site without their photo?

I am an early adopter of technology and social media; I have been using LinkedIn for a long time.  LinkedIn has over 100 million users and has been around for about 10 years so it is a bit difficult for me to believe that so many people still haven’t caught on.  It’s not for everybody, but if you are in most businesses it is a powerful tool to help you find resources, employees, funding, people to collaborate with and customers.  Why not be on LinkedIn?

I am not a social media expert and I don’t bill myself as one, but I do use it and I do get results.  I find myself constantly having to convince people as to why they should use social media.  I will tell you this, it is time consuming, especially at first when you are learning and then if you really want to get results you must have a plan and follow through.

For LinkedIn, I am still learning.  I post mostly myself, but my intern does put up the events.  I answer all the connection requests and almost always send a personal note in return with some LinkedIn tips.  If I don’t know the person, I research them and decide about connecting. If I choose to connect I start to build a relationship and work to add value.

I don’t want to be connected to people I don’t know, because those connections aren’t useful.  My friend Caryn asked me to make an introduction the other day to someone I was connected to on LinkedIn.  I looked her up and had to tell Caryn that I didn’t know her or the person I was connected to her through.  I told her I would be happy to write a compelling note and send the request on anyway.  Well, it didn’t work.  I didn’t expect it to, why would anyone introduce someone they don’t know and can’t vouch for.  For all they know you are just trying to sell them something.

I spend a lot of time networking online and off.  It is my best lead source next to referrals.  Sales takes time.  I like to keep my funnel full and networking helps me do that.

P.S. If you still don’t know why you should use LinkedIn or how to use it to get connected to get results, join me on May 24th for my webinar; I’m on LinkedIn, Now What?

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