326 - Do you know who's in your network?

Do you REALLY know who is in your network?

Do you accept anyone who wants to connect with you?

I am finding that most people have little clue who they connect with or why they are connecting.

While LinkedIn is a business platform, most people don't know why they are here.

There, I said it out loud.

Some people are here to promote themselves. Every post has a picture of themselves attached.

They don't seem to be aware that the algorithms don't recognize pictures. Their picture is actually preventing their post from getting more exposure.

Most people don't post original content. Only 1% of those on LinkedIn post at least once a week.

To use LinkedIn professionally, think first about why you are here.

Who do you want in your network, and why?

Business networking is not about selling to the people who read your post.

Everyone you connect with already has a network of people they know, like, and trust.

When people try to sell directly from their posts they lose many potential clients.

By selling before building, you give your network permission to take control of your sales process.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Networking is first about getting to know others and connecting them to potential prospects.

Too many people are here to TAKE and have little interest in giving.

If you are serious about networking effectively take a few actionable steps:

✅ stop connecting with gimmicky salespeople. Someone with 900,000 views is not interested in getting to know you or buying from you.

✅stop wasting time talking to people who offer little in return. Yesterday, I blocked a guy who made nonsensical remarks to my post. When I questioned him, he quickly informed me that he could say whatever he wants because this is a public website. OK, he's right. And I can block him from interrupting conversations with my valued connections. DONE. Move on...

✅connect with diverse people, not only your target audience. Other people know the people you are looking for and vice versa. The vice versa here is HIGHLY important! Who can you connect people to?

✅connect with people in the geographical area you do business. There are 700 million people on LinkedIn from 200 countries. You can't connect with them all

There is incredible potential on LinkedIn when you build your network intentionally and know your network.

Do you know who's in your network?