LinkedIn can easily be compared to a live networking event when talking about the process of building relationships. Most of the time you are advised to not sell at a networking meeting; instead, build relationships and see if an opportunity reveals itself.
However, being an entrepreneur with a family does not give you much time for a coffee meeting ‘to see’ if a business exchange will develop.
Time is a precious intangible item that we cannot get back. Rarely are we in the mood to put on our best outfit, prep and drive to an event hoping for an opportunity.
Using LinkedIn cuts down the time you would use to get dressed, drive then engage after the host or guest speaker makes a presentation at a networking meeting.
You might say right now, live events matter. Yes, they do. This is true. But, rarely do we have time to go to an event weekly hoping to see a return on our time investment.
[bctt tweet=”LinkedIn provides the opportunity to network on the Internet.”]I’ve helped clients that are entrepreneurs and busy parents that have to attend after-school practice and assist with homework, build their networks on LinkedIn.
Using LinkedIn, I’ve helped clients:
- increase their event attendance
- expand their network
- provided examples to build relationships that led to sales
Once the initial introduction is favorable, my clients confirm their shared interests with individuals and complementary skillset, then progressed to strengthening the relationship by meeting live.
Now the idea of getting dressed, meeting someone for coffee becomes an activity that both parties look forward to instead feeling anxious about the outcome.
[bctt tweet=”Networking is the process of getting to know other professionals sharing useful knowledge when needed. “]This process can take weeks or months. If you are a person that struggles with what to say in your content, the introduction emails can take some hours. Having a specialist use LinkedIn’s best practices to get you in front of people you can serve is beneficial by:
- saving you time
- keeping your schedule of parental activities instead of missing precious time with your famimly
- giving you the opportunity to meet specific individuals
Publishing blog articles and posting on other social networking sites are actions that satisfy the requirement to have a current online presence. But when you want to meet people to do business, I can help you use LinkedIn properly and make introductions.
You can’t hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have ~ Zig Ziglar
LinkedIn enables you to get clear about the people you can serve then meet those people in a way that allows the networking process to unfold naturally. To get help using LinkedIn successfully, click on the hyperlink to make an appointment.