I was just reading an article reprinted in the San Jose Mercury News on 04/29/13, by David Paul Morris from Bloomberg, about LinkedIn. The gist of this article was that, while other Social Media sites such as Facebook, have been struggling as of late, LinkedIn has seen it’s revenue, profit and share price blow up to the tune of 80% in 2012. That is envious performance in any economic climate.
What struck me as the oddest thing about this article was this little gem of information buried in the very last paragraph: “Unlike Facebook or Twitter, many people don’t see a need to visit LinkedIn every day.”
Wow.
Let me try to glom on to what the message is here. Stories about, and pictures of my kitty are, without a doubt, more essential to my continued well being than anything that could possibly happen by visiting LinkedIn on a daily basis. Is that it? Because that’s what I’m glomming.
Just a thought, maybe LinkedIn, among other professional networking tactics, could add value to you! What do you stand to gain or lose on Facebook or Twitter? Friends? Social standing? Farmville points? Possibly.
What might not happen as a result of your interaction with Facebook or Twitter?
Might you miss or lose a job opportunity because of the casual nature of these sites? (Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Facebook and Twitter in the proper context. In fact, I visit both of these sites multiple times, daily.) But, consider this: It is a fact that, not just one or two, not just one or two hundred, not even just one or two thousand people have disqualified themselves from consideration for employment because of their self-representation on social networking sites.
The power of social networking is indisputable. The advantages gained from social connections, even online connections, are well documented. But, would you use a bull to build a paper airplane? Would you try to convince someone of your value or values with a picture of this?
K.
Networking is a tool that existed long before the advent of computers. It's purpose was to establish mutually beneficial connections, be they business or social. Traditionally, networking as an art has been relegated to the business world, and there are many who have taken their own networking skills to that level. They have become networking artists. Here is one that might not be the first to pop into your head. How about Benjamin Franklin?
What attributes made him a great networker in the past? Here are a few:
- the ability to make diverse connections
- able to adjust to life’s continuous fluctuations
- a natural curiosity and creativity
- disciplined
- a “can-do” attitude and champion of causes
- a desire to learn and grow continuously
- innovative
Sharpen your pencil, pick your font, create your palette, and click your heels because, even though we might not be in Kansas anymore, we really, kind of, are. It turns out, as much as things have changed, they have also stayed the same. Here is the biggest game changer, difference maker, water into winer, transmorgrfier: Visit a site like LinkedIn maybe 1/3 as often as you visit Facebook every day. Just do it every day. Observe. See what other members are doing to expand their brand. If you don't visit Facebook every day, then visit a site like LinkedIn 3 or 4 times as often as you visit any other social networking site. If you don't visit social networking sites, then you are probably not reading this.
All you have to lose is your job, your dignity and your reputation. Oh, wait. That was on Facebook.
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