The Linkedin Local was my idea .. oh no it wasn't .. oh yes it was ..

The idea for " Linkedin Local " events locally was obviously mine .... which I got via Ian Tomlinson from Ian Gribble and which he got from ..... I actually don't know where.

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM ??

However it is claimed that the idea for Linkedin Local events actually came from the East coast of Australia via Anna McAfee .... here's an extract from her About Me. Well done Anna !!

" Hello,

My name is Anna McAfee, I’m a mother and wife from the east coast of Australia. Yes, I’m an Aussie.

I have lived and worked around the world, and through my journeys I’ve built a vast network via LinkedIn. Yet, I’ve always missed that feeling of really knowing who I’m reading inspiring posts from and sharing eye-opening knowledge with.

So, in April 2017, I wrote a post using the hashtag #linkedinlocal, asking my LinkedIn connections in my little city on the Australian East coast, Coffs Harbour, to meet up for coffee. To my surprise, a lot of people reacted to the post, not only the 18 people who showed up, but also people in other cities around the world. "

Then a few people get credited with spreading the idea ...

" One of them was Erik Eklund. Within an hour of posting he wrote me saying he would host a similar meetup in Brussels, Belgium. After him, Alexandra Galviz in London, United Kingdom, and Manu Goswami in New York City. "

and so we see the arrival of the linkedin local in the UK.

Maybe that is where Ian got the idea from. I don't know as I said but maybe he will tell us one day ..

Now, let's just get something out of the way ... the company LinkedLocally .... is not - in any way affiliated with Linkedin - quote " Psst, remember, we are not working for LinkedIn the company or represent them in any way. " see also

Disclaimer

We are neither working for nor on behalf of LinkedIn the company. We are active users of the LinkedIn community and believe in how the platform serves to connect people. LinkedIn has allowed us to expand our social and professional networks online yet not as much offline, hence, the purpose of the LinkedIn Local meetups to add value to our online communities.

LinkedLocally does not appear to be a registered limited or unlimited company .. it is .. like The Branding Initiative .. which we started .. more of a movement.

Just for the record .. I am 100% supportive of this great initiative and movement.

LinkedinLocally offers a number of FAQs ( Frequently asked questions and answers ) eg Obviously I am crediting them for this information.

Our A to your Q

Why should someone attend?

To meet people for no other reason than to get to know them on a truly personal level, and let them get to know you, and ultimately expand your social- and professional circles with like-minded people.

Who can be a host?

Anyone active on LinkedIn and with a network large enough to assure a minimum of 15 attendees. 

If you would like to become a host, just schedule a call with one of us.

We would love to get to know you, why you want to become a host and how we can help you. 

Psst, remember, we are not working for LinkedIn the company or represent them in any way.

How is an event organized?

We are fully aware of the common way of networking.

This is not that way.

Let's put the social back in social and drop the name badges, speakers and business talks. 

? Start by being personal. 

? Focus on quality over quantity.

? Speak with the people and not to the people.

? Create an environment that allows for people to share emotions, beliefs, hopes and dreams.

Sounds good - Schedule a call with one of us!

Can I use the hashtag #linkedinlocal and #connectinghumans?

Yes you can, but please...

- Use it separate and lower case ? #linkedinlocal #connectinghumans

- Don't add other words to it ? #LinkedInLocalSydney (no no) or #connectingrealhumans (nooooo)

It's very difficult to find your meetup, validate the authenticity and track engagement if you use it in another way (which would be sad).

Can my company host a LinkedIn Local?

No because...

- LinkedIn Local meetups are about the individual and connecting humans. 

- They are also pitch free and therefore organized by individuals rather than companies. 

Meetups can be sponsored by companies if it provides i.e. free space or food for attendees.

How often can LinkedIn Locals be held?

This is entirely up to you.

Some cities run events twice a month, once a month, bi-monthly or quarterly.

Can there be more than one LinkedIn Local per city?

Yes BUT,

if there is a planned event in your city already, please visit that before deciding to create you own. We also encourage you to get in touch with the current host(s), to collaborate and contribute to your community, which is the purpose of the concept.

Due to the popularity in some cities, we have appointed a city ambassador with the responsibility to connect the different hosts and ensure that events don't clash and hosts are working together.

IMPORTANT: this is not a popularity contest - we are stronger together and the concept is built to bring people together not against each other.

Until date, the most successful events have been co-hosted.

I live in a very small city, can I host a LinkedIn Local?

Yes. 

The first LinkedIn Local took place in a small city the size of 60,000 people. Some cities have run very successful events with less than 10 attendees. It's about quality rather than quantity.

More questions?

Just send us a little hello and ask, we are super happy to help as well as improve the concept

?

Your LinkedIn Local team

#linkedinlocal #connectinghumans

NOW ...... I think the idea for Linkedin Local Events came from Thomas and Penny Power at Ecademy !!

You probably never heard of Ecademy right ??

That's because it doesn't exist any more ( well it sort of does but now called Sunzu ).

Ecademy and Linkedin were the first social networks that I joined in 2005 ish.

Ecademy was an online and offline networking company for SME's and brilliant it was too. We had meetings all over the world. I was a " Blackstar " member for many years.

Thomas Power is one of the most networked people in the world.

I learnt a lot from him.

Social media networking and face to face networking merged with Ecademy.

Later on of course we had the twitter " tweet ups ". I don't think there was ever a " TweetLocally " !!

Wherever these social media local events came from I urge you to attend one .. because merging online and offline networking is the most powerful thing that you can do.

So bravo LinkedinLocally and hooray for #LinkedinLocal 's