Linkedin: How's that working for you?

Conversation Agent Valeria Maltoni asks Is LinkedIn Working for you? and poses at the end of the article a very basic, yet very important, question that requires some thought and conversation:

Is LinkedIn about connections or is it about people?

My response (I left it in her comments, but I'm hoping you've got some ideas to share about this):

I agree with you Valeria. As someone who has a very large LinkedIn network, I open my network up to help people who might need help. Because it's all permission based, if I don't know you, I probably won't recommend you to anyone else, nor am I likely to pass along your note to someone else with anything other than a "this person wants to contact you."

From the people, it goes to the conversation. What do you need, and how I can help you? What do you do? What's your passion? What would you like to do? Why do you do what you do?

Then, we get connected. I know what you need, and I can now proactively help you. If I enjoy your writing, and you're trying to get into the writing market, I might encourage you to look through my LinkedIn network to see if someone fits your needs, and if so, ask me to do a real introduction. I'm happy to do so if I feel it would be a fit. Not all connections are interested in this, and that's great by me.

So people, conversations, connections, and hopefully, friendships. As for keeping score, I'd say "How's that working for you?" and answer with a "Not very well." It's like driving a red sports car. Look at me, look at me.

It's not all about me. It's all about YOU.

What do YOU think? Is LinkedIn about connections or is it about people?

Related: Phil Gerbyshak's LinkedIn profile. If you're someone I know, I welcome you into my network with open arms and Rolodex.


Technorati Tags: linkedin, networking, relationships, connections, people

Comments

[Char]

Phil, I haven't really tapped into its true power yet. I am just slowly building my network and I sent you an invite.

[Mario Sundar]

Hi Phil,

Great follow-up post. I just commented on Valerie's post as well, so I don't want to repeat myself.

Personally, for me, LinkedIn is about the people I know.

Mario