#1 Networking in a virtual world
This is the first of six short segments on networking.
I was asked recently to build a course on how to use LinkedIn. I have always resisted because, after all, I’m not the only — or the best — LinkedIn “expert”. There are many video instructions, books and tools readily available, and LinkedIn itself provides training on how to use LinkedIn!
Now, I realize that these contacts were not asking me to write a general course about how to use LinkedIn or how to build a profile per se, but are rather asking me to record my personal experience about how I profiled myself as an expert and how I built an authentic network.
While I have started to write the course— I shared several quick tips in a previous article — I find myself exploring where I can really add value. I am not the expert on algorithms and I do not know every detail of the changes LinkedIn makes on a daily basis, but whether in-person or virtually, I do know that genuine and authentic always win in the end.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”
Networking is crucial to professional success, the old adage is still true today as it was in the past. Yes — even virtually! But let’s start at the beginning…
- What is Networking?
- What does it have in common with Sales?
- Why does Everyone need to do it?
What is Networking?
Networking has a very bad reputation
I have often been told I am good at networking. It is meant as a compliment, but I inwardly cringe when I hear it. I’m lucky and I attract good authentic people. I love to meet good people. I love to introduce good people to each other. But it’s the word itself that makes me cringe. Networking — eek. Don’t be like I was, don’t be put off by the term “networking”.
The term has developed a negative connotation over time, mainly because it has become associated with insincere platitudes and fake relationships. People who use each other to get ahead and move forward in careers. People who have no genuine interest in the other person. People who purely try to connect on social media to increase followers, or claim “celebrity” status by knowing the right people or people high up in organizations. Even connecting on dating apps allows a fake persona to reign king!
Change your definition of networking
Therefore I don’t think of what I do as networking. I think of it as making sincere and authentic connections with people that excite me and inspire me. Redefine it and remove the stigma associated with the term, by acting differently than other people and networking differently than how they network. A network is personal, it requires us to genuinely care about, and/or be interested in, the other individual.
What does it have in common with Sales?
Salespeople have a bad reputation too!
Salespeople can be pushy and can be a bit “slimy” but that is not the way it has to be. Primarily, sales are about convincing another person to buy-in to a product or service you are trying to sell. Do you get buy-in to your service or product? Are you confident they add value? Are you confident that the person who buys it will be better off than before? If so, then it’s pretty easy to sell, because you believe in it.
Selling yourself in the purest sense of the term
The same goes for networking — it is about selling yourself. If you are confident that you have value to add and that the person will be better off knowing you then that’s effective networking. If you are not offering something of value then you shouldn’t be selling yourself to that person. It is not about what they can do for you, it’s about what you can do for each other.
Why does Everyone need to do it?
You are already doing it
Truth is if you are posting on any social media platform, you are already presenting your — hopefully — best self, you are already selling yourself, your life, your interests, and your value add. Social media has become prevalent in networking whether personally, FaceBook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, Tinder, Bumble…or professionally, LinkedIn. I stop there because it really is the only professional network that currently matters.
LinkedIn is the largest online professional networking platform in the world with over 575 million individuals and 30 million companies. There is no avoiding it. And why would you?
This is a place to create a strong digital footprint and a personal brand. It is a crucial place where you and your company can connect with and expand your professional network. But how you connect and build that network is crucial to your success on this platform.
Follow this feature page for more tips on Networking. Feel free to ask questions or share your own thoughts and concerns, I will endeavour to respond within 24 hours.
Join a live webinar for more in-depth LinkedIn tips or support via Patreon.
