Comments on: Is LinkedIn a number’s game?

By: Glen Cooper

Glen Cooper — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:52:59 +0000

Hi, I have been interested in LinkedIn for a while now and it drives traffic to my blog on a regular basis. I cast my net wide as I have realised that playing a numbers game is a definite advantageous when online networking.

However, I have had searching questions regarding LinkedIn groups in the past.. Check this out if you please. http://buildingmadesimple.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/linkedin-groups-waste-of-time.html

Good topic of discussion Heather, weldone!

By: Rosie Slosek

Rosie Slosek — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:46:51 +0000

I’d counter that.

There are few real world options in the LI connecting tool for those of us outside a corporate environment. For someone you know from networking, there is not much choice outside of the inappropriate Friend option.

So, since I’m not connected to Heather, I’ll use her as an example -
How do you know Heather?
Colleague
Classmate
We’ve done business together
Friend
Groups
Other
I don’t know Heather

Other means an email address and that’s intrusive to my mind. It’s not true either, as I have connected with Heather on Twitter. Which do I choose?

For numbers game, this is more about numbers being the point rather than a consequence. I wouldn’t accept someone random I had no connection with, but I would someone in a group I participated in. There is value in that. Anyone sending me a spam or sales pitch without me knowing them gets reported and removed. That’s all.

By: Rick Itzkowich

Rick Itzkowich — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:39:34 +0000

From experience I can tell you that to be successful on LinkedIn you need a network that is wide, deep and diverse. This means you need both Quality AND Quantity. And here’s why:

Quantity gives you reach. This means that when you want to communicate with someone outside your network, having a large network gives you access to more people. The numbers grow exponentially. In fact there’s a saying for those of us who specialize in helping others maximize LinkedIn, that “The fortune is in the 2′s.” This means that the 2nd degree connections are the keys to making LinkedIn work. And the only way to get 2nd degree connections is to have 1st degree connections first.

However if all you have is Quantity with no relationships, then there will be little benefit to expanding your reach. It is like having the phone numbers of all the people you would like to reach but having to call gatekeepers first. Having the phone number is insufficient. You must have the credibility to get past the gatekeeper.

Which is why you also need Quality. Building relationships with the people you connect on LinkedIn is essential if you are going to capitalize on it.

You need to amass two currencies on LinkedIn: Credibility (Trust) and Goodwill. The more of these currencies you acquire the more you’ll be able to make LinkedIn work for you.

Great post and great question.

Warmest Regards,

Rick I. The LinkedIn Guy

By: Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:43:10 +0000

Thanks for your engaging comment Clare. I try to spend 90% of my networking time with 10% of my network – and these are the people most likely to help me achieve my goals (and this is a 2-way thing). Like you I do keep an eye on the rest of my network, because you never know when they may suddenly become very helpful to you.

Heather

By: Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:41:17 +0000

Hi Derek,

The photo is one which BNI have taken of an event somewhere and are using as an image in this blog. I’m guessing it must have been a surprise to see you in the image!

Heather

By: Derek Reilly

Derek Reilly — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:31:34 +0000

Hi Heather,

Just wondering where you got the photograph as it’s me in it at an event that I ran.

Derek

P. S. I’m a numbers man. The more possibilities the better.

By: Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:50:19 +0000

I totally agree with you Jane – it has to be quality over quantity every time. Plus, my pet peeve is also the ‘I’d like to add you to my professional network’ or the newish ‘no message’ option.

By: Heather Townsend

Heather Townsend — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:49:01 +0000

I think that there is still lots of value in LinkedIn, but you need to pick your groups carefully. Although I find it an excellent search tool.