Comments on: do I know you? degrees of linkedin-ness

By: boost seo in linkedin with custom anchor text | the qualified yes

boost seo in linkedin with custom anchor text | the qualified yes — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:15:34 +0000

[...] do I know you? degrees of linkedin-ness (btrandolph.com) backtweets_url='http://btrandolph.com/2010/03/boost-seo-with-linkedin-links/';backtweets_background='ffffff';backtweets_border='3399cc';backtweets_text='000000';backtweets_links='3388cc';AKPC_IDS += "1740,";more Mar 8 10 | tags: get found, linkedin, linkedin profiles, Search engine optimization, seo | category: how to [linkedin] [...]

By: btrandolph

btrandolph — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:07:33 +0000

thanks for the comment, and great post, as well. I’ll have to head over to Lewis’ blog to read the conversation there! russ made a good point in his comment about the other side of networking, where weak connections can be the best source of leads for “unadvertised specials:” the job and business opportunities that haven’t yet hit the ‘net, hopefully meaning less competition. I grant him that point, but still think that the weak connections (and certainly the _no_ connections) are unlikely to pass those opportunities down the line.

By: Steve Sherlock

Steve Sherlock — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:55:56 +0000

I am on the same page with you on this one. I have a post on my blog and an extended discussion going with Lewis Howes on his on this topic. I am for the quality of a connection more than the quantity. Quantity does a job searcher like me no good if when I reach out to a LION and find that they can’t help because they don’t “really know the person”.

Use other network places (as you mentioned above) like Twitter, et al to freely converse, connect, and over time build trust.

Let’s return LinkedIn to the trusted source it is supposed to be. It starts with the individual only reaching out to someone to “linkedIn” that they know well based upon prior work, etc.

By: btrandolph

btrandolph — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:24:28 +0000

thanks for your comment and the link. thanks, too, for reminding me that networking connections are useful in identifying jobs one is not aware of. these are often more valuable leads because they are not as publicized as the “following up on” leads I was describing. good insight!

By: Russ Hopkinson

Russ Hopkinson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:00:06 +0000

By weak connections I mean aquaintances. Often people on the outskirts of your social circle are the most valueable because they have more unshared connections. Your strong connections or close friends typically have more overlap in who and what they know and thus not as likely to know of a job opening that you are not already aware of.

Good chapter on networks and value of connections:

http://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kleinber/networks-book/networks-book-ch03.pdf

By: btrandolph

btrandolph — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:36:13 +0000

thanks for your comment. my point exactly. as in the example I mentioned in the post, I am frustrated when a link to someone I really want to talk to turns out to be a casual connection…

By: Allison

Allison — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:49:37 +0000

After some thought, I think I agree with you. There are so many ways to connect out there, there is no need to dilute the authenticity of professional relationships on LinkedIn in order to get to know new folks.