LinkedIn Connections; My Perspective

I like to think that I have learnt a thing or two since I joined LinkedIn a few years back and have put into practice a few simple rules that work for me to help network with my connections. Because I cover a wide area for our business I am able to connect with plenty of people, many of them I would never come across in the normal course of events but LinkedIn offers the opportunity to communicate with them, which I am grateful for.

I imagine I am at a large networking event at which everyone is a stranger but they all have a name and company badge on to give me the chance of a conversation. My father had a wonderful saying “everyone is a stranger until you get to know them and the only way you can get to know them is to speak with them”, words I have paid heed to for a long time now. Speak I would change for communicate, in all its forms and that is what LinkedIn allows us to do.

My profile tells you what I do, where I am and what I look like (cringe worthy to some!) but it does show you I am a real person and we all like to know who we are speaking to. It shows you my experience, both good and bad, and what my connections think of me, but above all else, it shows I would like to network with other business people within my industry and interests. You are said to be judged by the company you keep and I think this also applies to our LinkedIn connections. Yes I have a few recruiters, IT and advertising people on board but I would guess that around 80% of my connections are property related, some even from other countries, helping give me a broader view of the issues the property industry faces. I have posts from the groups I belong on my phone along with the many daily messages I receive from my connections to help me build relationships and keep up to date.

When I connect with someone, by invite or invited, I always endeavor to write a message of thanks to them and I am constantly surprised by the pleasant replies I receive by return, courtesy is alive and kicking!

On the business front, LinkedIn has opened doors that I would have to be knocking on for a long time without it, but it’s the industry connections that I value most, knowing that whilst we are all part of a very competitive industry and all experience the same issues, we have a chance to share these and learn from others.

So a big thank you to my LinkedIn connections that participate and post interesting news about our industry and an invitation to those who are reticent to post something, please do so as it helps keep us all informed and do what we joined LinkedIn for....networking.