The Care and Feeding of LinkedIn - Deepening Your Connection
Guest post by Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
With each question asked in the content-rich Answer section of LinkedIn, several response options exist, each with its own unique advantage.
Posting an answer publically allows everyone in your network to read your response. This is an excellent practice if your LinkedIn objective is to demonstrate your expertise and the answers are consistent with your brand.
Connecting One-on-One
Some questions just don’t lend themselves to a general answer. The question itself generates more questions in order to provide an appropriate response.
The Reply Privately feature, located immediately beneath and to the right of the question, provides an opportunity to connect directly with the individual asking the question.
Replying privately with an offer of a no-cost/no-obligation face-to-face/phone-to phone consultation of a set amount of time is an excellent way to deliver value to your network, demonstrate your expertise, and, if the individual likes what they hear, acquire clients or, at the very least, extend your network.
Caution: Do make sure your intention is to deliver value. Underhanded sleazy or salesy approaches will damage your brand and undermine your credibility.
Share the Wealth
Is a question fitting for someone in your network? Rather than pass it over, use the Share This feature, located beneath and to the right of the question, and offer to a specialist within your network to respond.
It demonstrates your dedication to the true spirit of networking. Hopefully, those with whom you are linked are of the same mindset with a willingness to reciprocate.
Networking, at its very best, is about giving, sharing, adding value, building relationships and working together for the betterment of everyone’s business.
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Jackie Nagel, Founder of Synnovatia™, energizes entrepreneurs that are stuck, stalled, starting up, or stretching with a pioneering coaching approach that drives profits, productivity, and performance.
