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Sunday 10 May 2009

Where can I find a network tree, where it tells you who knows the person you are looking for ?

Alison's Contribution:

I'm assuming from your question that you are looking to do something about building your network. If so, you'll be glad to know that there are some easy ways to get started - and you'll have the benefit of not having to learn the hard way that you can have unintended consequences. Let me set the boundaries of the "game" and then you can play it any which way you want.

1. You can send up to 3,000 individual invitations. Period. Use them wisely.
2. If you get rejected with an "I don't know" Lee, too many times (some say 5) - you get your invitation sending privileges suspended until you promise to use your invitations more wisely.

Many people who, like me, get eager and enthusiastic, upload all their email contacts and hey presto - one click and everyone you ever knew gets invited to connect with you. BBBEEEPP - WRONG MOVE.

This is likely to wind you up in a LinkedIn TimeOUT faster than the blink of an eye. Try this instead.

A) Branding:
1. Make your Profile Link unique to you - something like Lee_Schwartzberg is probably okay since there is only one other Lee Schwartzber here. (unlike Alison Murray - last time I looked there were 38 Alison Murrays here at linkedin).
2. Copy your link and put it at the bottom of your email signature of every system you use - both work and personal if you can. (EG make it easy for people to find you here easily).

B Invitations - think in reverse here to ensure best rate of success
1. Find the people you want to connect with by looking for them here
- try using the People Search (happy to help you with some tips and tricks once you explore a bit and get used to it.
2. For each contact you find:
a) By individual, think of a compelling reason that you should connect here at linkedin. Tell them that you would welcome their advice and guidance on how they get the most out of Linked In/ would be keen to know what things they really like about Linked In.
b) Send a personalised email letting people know that you've just joined and you would be honoured if they would send you an invitation to your email address at [email@domain.com]. Also include your profile link.

The best way to build any network is one person at a time. Whilst you can have many virtual relationships without committing "adultery", what makes LinkedIn so very special is that you can use it anyway you like - within some broad boundaries.

Now you may fear that this means you are open to being abused or raped and pillaged. Never fear, if you flagged someone for abusing you, the Powers That Be will take listen and take action.

Hold off enthusing about LinkedIn to everyone you know who isn't here - pester power doesn't work on an adult who has a different perspective of what they need to make their network work for them. Some of the people I respect most are the ones I miss seeing here at LinkedIn. So, whilst I might think it is the best thing since sliced bread, I recognise their right to not participate without judging them.

Well enough of me on the soapbox.

If you'd like to connect with me, please just send an invitation to me using the email address provided privately. I'm the kind of person who likes to make it easy for others to be successful here.

Best wishes for your successful use of LinkedIn.

Alison K Murray

PS This is only the beginning of the beginning of your journey here - if you are interested in understand network dynamics, then I'd be happy to share my thinking to date.
posted 2 days ago

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