The law of Visibility+Credibility=Profitability (V+C=P) has been promoted by BNI for a few years and makes a ton of sense for offline networkers. You become visible by doing things like authoring articles, speaking at Rotary Chapters and participating in Chamber of Commerce mixers on a regular basis. When people talk with you, research your work and realize you are a person of integrity, your credibility grows. That makes you referable which leads to profitability.
What if you are networking online through Linkedin? How do you create the visibility and credibility needed to become profitable? Here are seven steps you can implement immediately to put the law of V+C=P to work for you on Linkedin today!
1. Complete your profile! Treat your profile as an online resume. You are putting yourself online to generate more business; so potential business partners need to know who you are. Your experience relevant to them is important, so make sure it is easy to read and readily available. So to is your summary. People need to know what you are looking for and your summary is where you tell them. A good, professional looking photo will help cap off your profile and is one thing several small business owners look for before calling. They like to know you are real!
2. Give recommendations! Make sure your recommendations are relevant and specific to the person you are recommending. This helps people in your network gain credibility because you have given a third party endorsement of their product or service. Every time you give a recommendation, it appears as an update on your profile throughout your network too!
3. Ask for recommendations! As I was taught in the Dale Carnegie Sales Advantage course, it is a great idea to ask for a letter of recommendation from customers. That is one offline strategy that translates directly into the online world with great success. Each time someone recommends you, it appears as a status update to his or her network. That exposes you to their network in the best possible way!
4. Answer questions! Every question you answer through the Linkedin Answers tab appears as a status update for you, keeping you visible. Once someone has closed a question, they also get the opportunity to select who gave the best answer. If that is you, it appears on your profile for everyone to see. Answering questions gives you great V+C!
5. Participate in groups! Most universities, Chamber of Commerce and industry assocations have a group on Linkedin. Find a few that relate to your interests and join them today. When you are accepted, get on the discussion boards. Each time you participate in a discussion, it is posted as an update to the group. It is a great way to build V+C to a much larger network!
6. Utilize applications! I decided to check out the new Polls feature on Linkedin to ask questions about networking. As soon as the poll was complete, it appeared as a status update on my profile. I was given a link that I could post anywhere, so I posted it in a few of the larger groups I belong to and asked for feedback. The resulting responses caused several dozen hits to my profile and a few new connections!
7. Status updates! Celebrate client wins, great conversations with new referral partners or even what you just read. This is an easy way to keep in front of your network daily. If you want to update this and several other services at once, check out Ping.fm.
The path to profitability online is the same as offline, even if the methods are different. Make the commitment today to implement at least one of these methods everyday and watch your visibility and credibility soar!
Get Nspired!
Showing posts with label online networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online networking. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What Not To Twit! Tips for New Networkers Online
Lately, I have been helping a lot of people new to the world of social media navigate their way through the world of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. A few days ago, I was helping the Realtor in one of my BNI chapters update her LinkedIn profile. I began editorializing about what not to do when participating in social media online.
When Jamie asked me how to avoid irritating people on line, I realized I was beginning to sound a lot like Clinton Kelly and Stacy London from TLC’s What Not To Wear. Watching the show is one of those guilty pleasures in my life, especially when they step someone into the 360 mirror that was analyzing every stitch of some poor woman’s outfit.
So please, step into my virtual 360 mirror to learn a little more about What Not To Twit!
Step 1: Learn how to block people early and do not feel bad about doing it!
If you are like me and use social media as a part of your business networking strategy, toxic people can ruin your reputation. If you are online just for fun, they will ruin your experience.
I met a “business” person in New York by answering a question on LinkedIn. He invited me to join his network and he seemed legit, so I accepted. A few days later, the multi-level marketing solicitations began. I sent an email indicating that I was not interested but I hoped it was successful for him. His e-mails became more frequent and more belligerent. Then his Facebook solicitations began. I quickly learned how easy it is to block someone from following me or e-mailing me.
Again, it is perfectly okay to block people, even if you are a bleeding heart like me! It is usually anonymous and always easy. Best of all, you reduce the risk of that person alienating people on your network which can negatively impact your reputation.
Step 2: Listen (or read) first!
There is a great saying in that I have often heard in BNI. A good networker has two ears, one mouth and uses them both proportionally. This sage advise holds true online too. For example, if you are reading a blog, read the whole thing before you comment. Read what other commentators have posted. That way, you can make sure your comments will cut through the clutter and make the impact you have intended. If you are a Twitter user, you can easily read their 10 or so messages so you can respond appropriately.
Step 3: Have something to say!
Comments on blogs, answers to questions on LinkedIn, wall posts on Facebook and tweets on Twitter are valuable cyber Real Estate. It could very well be the one shot you have at impressing the perfect client, employer or friend for you. If you are struggling to create the perfect response, go back to step two.
From a blogger’s point of view, nothing is more annoying than the, “Great Post!” comments. Brevity is key too. Make sure your comments or answers are germane to the subject as well. If you are still struggling to find your voice, check out this great article from Pro Blogger 11 Tips for Getting Your Comments Noticed.
Step 4: Just say no!
Realize that there are a ton of social media choices. Whether for personal or business use, figure out which outlet will work for you and which one you will actively participate in. You will be bombarded with invitations for several others and you will be overwhelmed if you try to participate in them all.
Just like Stacy and Clinton, I just want to see you be successful in your online networking efforts. Get Nspired!
David Lingholm
When Jamie asked me how to avoid irritating people on line, I realized I was beginning to sound a lot like Clinton Kelly and Stacy London from TLC’s What Not To Wear. Watching the show is one of those guilty pleasures in my life, especially when they step someone into the 360 mirror that was analyzing every stitch of some poor woman’s outfit.
So please, step into my virtual 360 mirror to learn a little more about What Not To Twit!
Step 1: Learn how to block people early and do not feel bad about doing it!
If you are like me and use social media as a part of your business networking strategy, toxic people can ruin your reputation. If you are online just for fun, they will ruin your experience.
I met a “business” person in New York by answering a question on LinkedIn. He invited me to join his network and he seemed legit, so I accepted. A few days later, the multi-level marketing solicitations began. I sent an email indicating that I was not interested but I hoped it was successful for him. His e-mails became more frequent and more belligerent. Then his Facebook solicitations began. I quickly learned how easy it is to block someone from following me or e-mailing me.
Again, it is perfectly okay to block people, even if you are a bleeding heart like me! It is usually anonymous and always easy. Best of all, you reduce the risk of that person alienating people on your network which can negatively impact your reputation.
Step 2: Listen (or read) first!
There is a great saying in that I have often heard in BNI. A good networker has two ears, one mouth and uses them both proportionally. This sage advise holds true online too. For example, if you are reading a blog, read the whole thing before you comment. Read what other commentators have posted. That way, you can make sure your comments will cut through the clutter and make the impact you have intended. If you are a Twitter user, you can easily read their 10 or so messages so you can respond appropriately.
Step 3: Have something to say!
Comments on blogs, answers to questions on LinkedIn, wall posts on Facebook and tweets on Twitter are valuable cyber Real Estate. It could very well be the one shot you have at impressing the perfect client, employer or friend for you. If you are struggling to create the perfect response, go back to step two.
From a blogger’s point of view, nothing is more annoying than the, “Great Post!” comments. Brevity is key too. Make sure your comments or answers are germane to the subject as well. If you are still struggling to find your voice, check out this great article from Pro Blogger 11 Tips for Getting Your Comments Noticed.
Step 4: Just say no!
Realize that there are a ton of social media choices. Whether for personal or business use, figure out which outlet will work for you and which one you will actively participate in. You will be bombarded with invitations for several others and you will be overwhelmed if you try to participate in them all.
Just like Stacy and Clinton, I just want to see you be successful in your online networking efforts. Get Nspired!
David Lingholm
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