LinkedIn and Our Rise From the Dark Ages of Networking

Whenever I catch myself sniveling about the unending hum of technology and the relentless parade of notifications and emails, I think back a few years and instantly feel better.  

Back then, networking was one of those brutal 2% activities. You can always spot a 2% activity because the prevailing advice will sound like this: “Approach 100 people, and you’ll bring in 1 or 2 good leads.” Even so, I was a dedicated two percent maniac—locked in and making the rounds. My face started glowing just on rumors of a networking event.

I have vivid memories of a networking group I attended a while back. It was a cold 8:30 AM on a winter Monday morning; I stood up and introduced myself to the group. I gazed out upon four Realtors, an Accountant who refused to make eye contact with anyone, and a woman who sold and was at that moment cradling one of her shockingly realistic, lifelike baby dolls. There isn’t much more I can say about this event; you already know how it went.

While it’s easy to complain about some aspects of the progress of technology, looking back makes it easier to embrace the awesome that comes with the bad. I often find new clients thinking of LinkedIn as the digital version of that old networking group. They’re guarded, fast on the decline button, and typically have 25 connections. They run their account like a catalog of face-to-face business contacts from the last several months.

If this is you, start elevating your LinkedIn experience immediately. Here are four simple steps to get started:

1) CONNECT to your real-world contacts, and don’t be afraid to go all the way back. Take the extra time to explain that history with them in your connection requests.  

2) FOLLOW businesses and organizations that you’re interested in. This up-to-date information in your feed is a great way to get your foot in the door.  

3) SEARCH for Executive Recruiters and decision-makers at your target companies to potentially follow them or add them to your network.

4) Tell people that you’re OPEN to connecting with them. Stating that you’re open to new connections in your profile will help snag important additions to your network that might have otherwise passed you by.

If there’s only one thing to keep in mind, it’s this: A larger number of LinkedIn connections means you see more people, and more people see you. You will get more opportunities to find your next job or sell your services—no cold mornings or scary dolls required.