Build the Value and Power of Your Network, Make Contact

One of the best ways to improve the quality and power of your network is to start meeting the people you are connected to.

Once you’re connected to someone you have the ability to send them a direct message. You should use this ability to invite your connections to engage you in a conversation. The best reason to have that conversation is to see how you can help each other.

You’ll be shocked by the number of discoveries you’ll make if you contact a number of your connections and chat with them. You’ll discover that many people you would never think could help you actually can.

I say this hundreds of times in everything thing I write and say about networking on LinkedIn. You MUST NOT call them to sell your product or service – you SHOULD call them to find out how you can help them on LinkedIn or with their business or personal objectives.

Remember that the stature of a networker is not how many connections they have, but how many they have created. Zig Ziglar said it right – help enough people get what they want and you will have everything you want.  Pay it forward and help your connections and you receive all kinds of surprises.

I don’t recommend calling people cold – send them a note asking if they would like to chat and see how you can help each other. If they agree you can set up a time to chat and make the call.

I would bet that you cannot talk to ten of your connections without getting some real value in return. Try it. I assure you that you’ll be surprised by what you discover and find.

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