LinkedIn Networking That Gets ResultsYour Strategy for Success

Patrice-Anne RutledgeAuthor, Teach Yourself

LinkedIn in 10 Minutes, 3rd Edition

www.patricerutledge.com

LinkedIn 101

Quick Facts about LinkedIn

• LinkedIn is the most popular professional networking site online

• LinkedIn has more than 160 million members in 200 countries

• Two new member join LinkedIn approximately every second

• Everyone from top CEOs to President Barack Obama has a LinkedIn account

What’s Your LinkedIn Connection Strategy?

More the Merrier

BFFs Only

Selective & Strategic

The “More the Merrier” Approach

LinkedIn Networking That Gets Results

The “More the Merrier” Approach

Connect with anyone and everyone: who knows what might

bring results?

The “More the Merrier” Approach

However …

The “More the Merrier” Approach

LinkedIn discourages

“name collecting” networkers and

can penalize you if too many people

you try to connect with say that they

don’t know you

The “More the Merrier” Approach

What’s the value of

connecting with thousands of people who

have no interest in

what you have to offer?

The “BFFs Only” Approach

LinkedIn Networking That Gets Results

The “BFFs Only” Approach

Connect only with people

you know well and would

recommend

The “BFFs Only” Approach

However …

The “BFFs Only” Approach

LinkedIn shouldn’t just be your online rolodex … it

offers so much more than that

The “BFFs Only” Approach

You’re missing the point of

online networking if

you limit yourself to

known contacts

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

LinkedIn Networking That Gets Results

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

People you already know

Your professional peers

Experts in your industry

People in your local area

Potential clients, partners, and employers

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

Connect with people you

already know and would

recommend (yes, go ahead

and connect with those

BFFs)

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

Connect with your

professional peers (hint: find

them on LinkedIn Groups and start your

networking there)

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

Connect with experts in your industry (again,

start the conversation

first, then connect)

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

Connect with people in your

local area; they’re often a great source of referrals and

you can network in person as

well

The “Selective, Strategic” Approach

Introduce yourself to potential clients,

partners, and employers

How to Connect with People You Don’t Know

LinkedIn Networking That Gets Results

How to Connect with People You Don’ t Know

LinkedIn’s etiquette for initiating a

connection with people you don’t know is different from other social

sites such as Twitter and Facebook

How to Connect with People You Don’ t Know

Find common ground (LinkedIn Groups, Answers, etc.)

Ask for an introduction from someone you both know

See if the person you want to connect with is an open networker Explain in your connection request who you are and why you want to connect

Want to Learn More?

Teach Yourself LinkedIn in 10 Minutes,

3rd EditionBy Patrice-Anne Rutledge

http://www.patricerutledge.com/books/linkedin