Connecting is easy – it’s what happens next that matters
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Let me say this up front – well, reiterate something I’ve said a number of times before:
Your use of social media will vary… and that’s okay. Everyone has his or her own level of comfortability with interacting online and how they approach making connections. In this post, I’ll share my current approach, with respect to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Connecting is easy
In 2002 I found myself in a job search. I knew that I needed to meet other people as I weaved my way toward the next phase of my career. I began looking in newspapers for local networking groups or professional organizations where I might be able to meet together. It was frustrating because it wasn’t easy to connect with people in these groups.
Then came my first LinkedIn invitation, somewhere around 2003 – through someone who had been a contributor to my Get That Job! blog. I started making connections online through LinkedIn, often re-connecting with old colleagues and people I’d known from other circles. That’s actually one of the beautiful things about being able to find people you know when making online connections, isn’t it?
I signed up for Twitter in 2006 when it was still a mere side project. One of the neat things to do was to connect with people I’d known from podcasting circles and elsewhere. It was yet another touchpoint for our online connection. My initial approach also was to connect with as many people as possible in the Greater Cincinnati area (where I live) and the Greater Dayton area (where I worked). More on that in just a moment.
I joined Facebook in 2007 and have been able to reconnect with a number of old colleagues and former classmates. I’ve also connected with people I’ve known from various circles on Twitter, podcasting, church, etc.
Changing Strategies
One of the nice things about Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn is that it’s possible to group connections into one or more lists, which lets you filter your update streams as you wish.
Over the years my strategy in using LinkedIn has changed. Same with Facebook and Twitter. I’ll still connect with you when you send me a LinkedIn connection request, provided that you are more creative than the “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” or “Since you are a person I trust, I’d like to add you to my professional network.” Please be a bit more creative than this and let me know how we might know one another. Or, just let me know you’re a human being behind the account. Or, send a follow-up message to introduce yourself.
Facebook is a little bit different. I used to connect with anyone who sent me a connection request. Then one day, as Facebook’s privacy settings had changed yet again, I re-evaluated whom I was connected to, how well I knew them, and wound up removing a number of “Facebook friends”. Similar to LinkedIn, if you want to connect with me, include a message how we might know one another.
My strategy in using Twitter has also changed over the years. I turned off the email notifications that someone had begun following me on Twitter. Now, if you start following me, I might never know, unless you do an @danieljohnsonjr to mention me. I just don’t have time any more to keep up with everything.
What happens next is what really matters
Once we get connected, then what? The big reason I’ve wanted to especially connect with those in the Greater Cincinnati area is because I’m interested in meeting you in person. We are only able to glean a small part of one another’s lives from what we see online.
Maybe you’re different. Maybe you share every single thing you’re doing online. I’m not that way.
Once we’re connected, there should be more that we do than just have a connection. When you connect with me on LinkedIn, I typically send a message, thanking you for the connection and asking how I can help you. I’ll also share something that I’m looking for so that you’ll know how you might be able to help me.
Connect with everybody – recommend only those you truly know.
What is a recommendation? It’s a statement that adds credibility to work you’ve done. If I recommend you, that means I’m vouching for work you’ve done in the past. So, if we’ve just connected on LinkedIn, and we don’t already know each other beforehand, it’s probably not a good idea to request a recommendation. Unless you know me or the work I’ve done, I don’t think your recommendation will add much.
Now, let’s say we get to know each other well online and through one another’s work. Then we might be able to recommend one another on that basis.
What do you think about all of this? What are your personal strategies for using LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter?
Connecting is easy – it’s what happens next that matters.
Possible related articles
- LinkedIn power tip: your headline (getthatjobonline.com)
- Where Job Seekers Should Be Online (money.usnews.com)
- Why LinkedIn is More Valuable than Facebook (blogs.forbes.com)
- Want To Make Your Profile Interesting? Try The InMap! (globalthoughtz.com)
- So, I’m on LinkedIn. Now what? (theglobeandmail.com)
- SIMPLIFY Your Social Media Communications, especially for LinkedIn Users (rocktheworldbook.com)
Tags: Facebook, Facebook Connect, LinkedIn, networking, Online Communities, social media, Social network, Social network service, twitter
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