Do your Linkedin connections like you?

Yesterday, I was watching Bill Clinton's speech on TV and, as usual, the President was charming, recounting the story of how he first met Hillary Clinton.

Clinton didn't have a happy childhood, yet he made something of himself, becoming twice elected.

Granted, he was lucky to have become President at a time when the economy naturally rebounded, but overall, if we can learn one thing from him, it is how to be charming. How to speak and behave so that others will like us.

In the old, pre-Internet, pre-Linkedin economy, it was okay NOT to be charming. You could have about 150 friends and acquaintances and have a good life. Study hard, work hard, raise a family, etc.

Today, however, there are so many opportunities out there to meet new people, participate in new projects, engage in new adventures, etc. that it is imperative to adopt or create a viable policy for engaging with and relating to strangers.

Fortunately, the strangers you are connected with on Linkedin, tend to be professionals and, as their Linkedin profile shows, they are usually honest and transparent.

The challenge, then, is not about connecting to others but about how to become likeable to them.

Your Linkedin network, from my perspective, is like a party hosted by Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner. They're great leaders and great party "hosts."

But once you're at the party, it's up to you to meet people, shake hands, discuss matters of mutual interest.

But why should one become likeable? After all, unlike Bill Clinton or most politicians, we don't need anybody's vote.

True, but we all sell something. Even if you currently have a good job, it is wise to start building your network BEFORE you need it.

Plus, as I teach in my sales course, likeability is crucial to success because it is the first step in the LLBB sequence:

Like --> Listen --> Believe --> Buy.

As job seekers, freelancers or entrepreneurs, we often make the mistake of skipping the first 3 steps and push prospects to BUY from us.

This is the employee mentality of expecting quick results. Indeed, most employees can expect a paycheck after one week. This is standard procedure. If you have a job and don't get a paycheck after one week (or two at most), you'd be VERY concerned (and should be!).

In business, we have to change our mindset. (And even if you're an employee, you still have to THINK like a businessperson and look after your own interests).

The first paycheck might not come after MONTHS!

And the second paycheck might also take time, and might not come as predictably and reliably as an employee paycheck.

We all need people to first LIKE us, then they will LISTEN to us, will likely BELIEVE us and finally BUY something from us.

So the blunt question is, "Do your Linkedin connections like you?"

If yes, how do you know? If no, how do you know?

Is it possible that your hundreds or thousands of connections feel NOTHING toward you?

And it's not because you're not likeable or they're indifferent. It's simply because most people tend to be shy on Linkedin, and rarely do they proactively reach out to others in their Linkedin network.

Most people seem to be in "waiting mode" and that is okay.

But given these circumstances, it is your opportunity to stand out and take the initiative to talk to people.

I described this process in detail in my strategic Linkedin workshop created for and delivered at McGill's School of Continuing Studies in 2012.

The 8 steps are: UVP (Unique Value Proposition), profile, invitations, engagement, communication, collaboration, co-creation, contracting (sometimes contracting comes first, and then you co-create a product together and you jointly own the copyright).

For people to like you on Linkedin, ENGAGEMENT is crucial.

You have to make the first step.

What I personally do is offer free workshop slides or materials or ebooks or reports to people who might be interested, such as career counselors, entrepreneurs, consultants, headhunters, etc.

You'd be surprised how most people are pleased when you pay attention to them.

But you have to read their profile first, mention it briefly in your message to them, and then give them something.

Who doesn't like to receive something of value (and that is relevant to their career or professional development) for free???

Few people realize how it is SO EASY to stand out in your Linkedin network.

You can have "only" 200 connections yet if they know you and like you, your network will bring you more money and job opportunities than if you had 2,000 who never hear from you.

The goal, indeed, is to turn your Linkedin connections into ambassadors who are able and willing to recommend you because they know what it is like to be treated with respect and courtesy by you.

ABOUT PETER NGUYEN

Peter is the Editor in Chief and Publisher of Ideal Career News, a FREE monthly newsletter written mostly for Linkedin professionals and covering a variety of issues including career management, technology, personal development, job search, entrepreneurship, the new economy, futurism, women's empowerment, millennials, marketing, sales and networking. First issue at www.tinyurl.com/idealcareernews1.