407 - LinkedIn is like pregnancy...well, sort of

We can all agree that there are stages to pregnancy, correct?

We can also agree, I assume, that there are stages to building professional relationships.

Bear with me again for this analogy.

Remember this is an analogy, I'm not promoting polygamy.

When you joined LinkedIn you entered the dating game.

You reach out and connect with people, which is like getting married.

The marriage is not consumated until you start communicating.

The more procreating you do by messaging on LinkedIn, setting up live meetings with people who are local or virtual meetings, the bigger your family will get. (I know, it's not nearly as interesting as procreating in real life).

There are birth pains along the way; you'll have people who don't communicate, or they may disagree with you, those who don't connect, and some may even block you.

Your LinkedIn family will grow as you connect and engage with people you meet.

The best way to approach LinkedIn and grow your network is to be a nurturer, helping others get what they are looking for.

It will also make labor much less painful.

As a caring parent, take care of your connections, introduce them to people who will benefit them.

"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want"

~ Zig Ziglar

Don't expect them to search your network for their next prospect.

That's like letting strangers into your house to babysit.

Be proactive in connecting others and encourage them to do the same.

It's perfectly fine to ask a connection for a warm introduction. Let them set it up.

Set up a message to both people: Hi John and Bob, I'd like to introduce you both...

Once then connect, you can leave the conversation, allowing them to continue.

Do you nurture your network by connecting others?