“How do I use Linked in to create relationships?”

Posted on June 8th, 2009 by Keith Ferrazzi

A question I got from the Relationship Masters Academy group, one I've heard a lot lately:

"How do I use Linked In to build relationships?"

I made a very specific choice not to include social networking strategy in the 2-day kick off curriculum of the academy, although we'll cover it later. Why? These are tools of incredible and rapidly increasing importance. But that's all they are - tools. If you don't have the mindsets to build deep relationships, if you haven't adopted and practiced the mindsets of generosity, vulnerability, candor, and accountability, then you're not ready for the tools.

In other words, first on my agenda is to get everybody's head screwed on! I'm launching the academy with what I know will bring them the greatest return on intimacy - making the greatest different in the next months and years of their lives. And that's shifting their mindset from "I don't care" to "how dare I not care?"

But back to LinkedIn, FB, etc, a question:

Ever made or been the victim of a social-networking faux pas?

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One Response so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Building a network is an art and a science
    1) The effectiveness of your network is function of your contribution to the network not the number of connections you have in specific social networks.
    2) Diversity is essential to the healthy growth of any network – actively seek to contribute in multiple industries and levels not just the industry or peer group you operate in.
    3) Exposure to non-linear networks will add value to your own network.
    4) Depth of connections versus number of connections –It’s is a paradox. “The Strength of Weak Ties” highlights the value of a diverse network but as professional business people we only tend to recommend people we know well and connect with often.
    5) Social networking technologies have the ability to scale a message very quickly. This is a dual edged sword as a hard won reputation online can be destroyed online equally as quickly.
    6) Connect the real world and the online world – a phone call is more effective than email and face to face beats telephone.
    7) The value of your network formula http://oscartr.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/building-a-network-is-an-art-and-a-science/

    This formula is a bit of fun and unproven but a mental model I keep in my head to make sure I help people 10 times more than I expect them to help me. That’s the ultimate paradox it’s about giving more than you get.

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