Maximizing New Connetions

Networking is all about building relationships. Quality relationships get you access to the other person’s sphere of influence. One of the most opportune times to start the relationship on the right foot is when you are fist connected.

You should always respond personally to anyone that accepts your invitation to connect or when you accept theirs. First impressions make a big difference and this is true on LinkedIn and in networking. Here are a couple of things I do with every new connection.

First, I offer my expertise and knowledge freely telling the new connection that I am happy to help them with any issue or problem as a resource to answer questions or point them to resources.

Second, I always offer to assist them in getting connected to people in my network. Additionally, I usually send them the name of a connection that I feel would be useful or valuable to them.

Third, I ask them to tell me how I can be of value.

I have found over time that my connections are extremely helpful. I cannot say that these things are responsible, but I am sure they have helped.

Start your new relationships with a little tender loving care and value and you will have a much better chance leveraging them latter on.

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