One of the most interesting things in the universe is the interesting relationship between the best and the worst, the good and the bad, the incredibly smart and the unbelievably dumb.

In a recent forum discussion one of the posters made some very outrageous statements along with some excellent points. Many of the other participants in the discussion started in on this person trying to rip him limb from limb for making some very audacious statements.

What most of the group didn’t realize is that such a post is one of the best opportunities you can get in either a Q and A or discussion. The reason is the tremendously high contrast you will achieve from the poster or the group if you slam-dunk a great answer and response.

It’s sort of like two ugly cars. If one of them is really bad the other might not look so bad it its light. Put it next to a great looking car and it becomes really ugly again. The contrast makes all the difference.

Often when you get an off the road or audacious post, the crowd tends to focus on what’s wrong with the post or the person who wrote, it instead of the subject at hand. In the case above the question or discussion was a good one.

Take advantage of these types of posts, if for no other reason they get tons of readers, by giving a solid answer, case, and debate against the “foolish” answer. Doing an exemplarily job here will stand out to other readers much more than the question that has lots of great answers.

This means you will likely get a very high readership to your answer and thus more visibility than you might normally receive.

In every failure or disaster there are great opportunities, look for them and take advantage of the situation. Don’t beat up the person, beat up the subject and others will be impressed.

It’s my belief that your profile has the potential to be quite a bit more powerful than your resume. This is because of all the attachments and add-ons incorporated into the LinkedIn profile.

From a marketing standpoint this makes your LinkedIn profile a great “first contact” device. I will always send people to my profile before my resume simply because is has more depth and width.

As I have said many times in this blog, the key is to get people interested in you enough so they take the next step in investigating you. That step in most cases would be visiting your website to learn more about you and your business or job skills.

This is why I recommend that your profile is written for the reader in terms of what you can produce or have produced avoiding discussions of what you did which have far less interest to and impact on the reader.

You can then use your resume for the more detailed description of your abilities and specific skills. This slightly different approach to your resume gives you a link of interest for the reader. You can now promise the reader a more detail view of who you are and what you can do.

One other very valuable point here is that your fellow LinkedIners are the perfect crowd to help you improve both of these documents. Don’t hesitate to post a question in the Question and Answer forum asking for opinions on either of these documents. (As a side benefit to this type of question you innocently get people on your website to look at your resume!)

My suggestion is that you take a small piece what is on your resume or profile and write a different version (obviously trying to improve). The ask very specific questions in the detail of your question about what you are trying to accomplish.

Example: You might write a employment listing that tells what you produced and then take a slightly different angle (still focusing on what is produced) and ask the readers: Which of the two is more impressive? Which is more interesting or compelling? What suggestions do you have for how I should state this?

The key to this exercise is to be very specific as to what you what to know. If you don’t do this you are likely to get a lot of very vague comments that don’t really help you tune what you’ve done.

From Flyn

If you’d really like to power up your profile and learn a number of things you can apply to your resume as well, you should attend my upcoming webinar “Empowering Your Profile: Strategies for Job and Business Seekers.” You can find the information on this webinar workshop in the events page link above my picture.

It may also have become apparent to you that most of there answers are short and sweet. That is not to say they aren’t valid or good answers, but just to say they probably aren’t going to be the most valuable answers for the person looking to really understand the question.

This strategy has a very useful purpose, it promotes visibility. One of the keys to success on LinkedIn is visibility. The more you are seen and known, the more chances you will catch the eye of someone who can use what you do.

By answering hundreds of questions each week you certainly increase the number of people that will recognize your name and possibly via the mini header that sits next to Q&A posts what you do.

The down side of this strategy is that you don’t do as effective a job at providing value to others or developing and showing your expertise. However, if you give great answers in the Q&A those answers become physical evidence of your expertise.

This is the one facet of LinkedIn that makes a LinkedIn profile so much more powerful than a resume; you can show your expertise.

Finally, don’t discount the value of getting yourself seen. Possibly the best way to apply this strategy is to answer lots of questions with short answers but go into more depth on those within your areas of expertise.

From Flyn

Please leave your comments on this post, I welcome your opinion. If you enjoyed the post please use the social media icons below to share if via Twitter, DIGG, StumbleUpon or whatever your preference is thus helping other find this blog.

LinkedIn’s powerful Question and Answer forum has been my primary weapon in building a strong and powerful network that will help me when I need it. It has also brought me a good deal unsolicited businesses.

The question and answer forum helps you do six important things.

1. Allows you to help others and provide value
2. Creates reciprocity in your network
3. Helps in establishing yourself as an expert
4. Gives you massive visibility on LinkedIn
5. Will help you develop relationships and get connected
6. Allows you to get connected to people that aren’t in your network

Allows you to help others and provide value

The Question and Answer forum is the easiest and simplest way to provide value to others. It contains thousands of questions that people have asked many of which are business related.

By answering questions with quality information you can provide real value to others on LinkedIn.

Creates reciprocity in your network

Answering the questions of those in your network actually creates a bit of reciprocity in your network. Reciprocity is basically a feeling of owing or a desire to give back.

Anything you do that creates reciprocity in your network is good and it builds up as you do more and more. This is the juice that will allow you to get things done in the future as your connections will be willing to help you.

Helps in establishing yourself as an expert

Another side benefit of the forum is that it helps you to establish your expertise. In my course I show you all the tactics of answering questions an how to improve the perception others have of you via your answers.

Gives you massive visibility on LinkedIn

There are somewhere around 37 million users as I write this sentence and this is growing at a phenomenal rate, something like 1.3 million per month. When you participate actively in the Question and Answer forum you get massive visibility to the rest of a very large LinkedIn population.

Will help you develop relationships and get connected

Needless to say the best way to connect with people is in a natural conversation. The Question and Answer forum allows you to do this all day long.

When you answer someone question, or they answer yours, it is so easy to start up a conversation and or just simply invite them to connect.

Allows you to get connected to people that aren’t in your network

Because you can engage anyone’s question, you now have easy access to people who are not in your network. In fact, once you know what you’re doing you can even use closed questions to help you engage others.

All of these things add up to the fact that the Question and Answer forum is one of the most powerful networking tools anywhere. Once you learn the correct strategies and tactics for using the Q&A forum you can do wonders with your efforts.

From Flyn

Don’t forget, I am running my LinkedIn Networking Secrets seminar this Thursday at 10 AM PST – click the events link in the upper right corner of this page to get to the info on the class.

Over 110 people have taken this class so far and they loved it!

If you want more information on my LinkedIn Power Networking Profit System for LinkedIn course go to:

www.OnlineBusinessNetworking.net/charter

Today I’d like to talk about a three simple things you can do that will raise your star on LinkedIn, even if ever so slightly. Do these things as a part of your business networking once in a while will just add another straw to the “success camels” back and just might put you over the top.

Making compliments

When ever you are in the question and answer forum keep your eyes out for people you’d like to be connected to.  Read their answers and then if you have something good you can say about them, go to their profile and send them a compliment via “Send a message”

Don’t ask for anything, just give the complement. Keep a record of who you engage in this way as you can then go back later and engage at a new level and get connected. The secret to business networking is engaging is safe ways that build rapport.

If nothing else you get this person’s attention, maybe even get them to check you out or write you back engaging you in a conversation. You never know where it will lead, but its good will on LinkedIn in any event.

Ask if you can help

You can also do this during your Q&A business networking activities or you can be very tactical looking through your network to find people for this activity.

As you go through the Q&A look for people that are already connected directly to you and send them a note in the following vain.

Dear Tom

I was in the Q&A answering questions and noticed your answer to one of the questions and that you are one of my direct connections. I just thought I would drop you a note and ask – is there any way I can help you out on LinkedIn?

I enjoy helping my connections so just let me know if I can help. We could even chat if you wish and explore how we might assist each other.

Let me know how I can help or if you want to explore the possibilities.

Joan

You will be surprised what doing this can produce.

Finally here is one last simple thing you can do to engage and potentially add value to others.

Engage others directly in the group discussions

Another really easy way to engage others is to go into your groups and find discussions that are of interest. Instead of just giving your thoughts, read the other posts and respond directly to others in the discussion. You can respond to multiple people in the same answer just start the paragraph with their name and do a new paragraph for the next person.

These discussions give you opportunities to engage in conversations that then allow you to safely ask others to connect. This is another smart way to execute your business networking efforts.

Summary

These tactics aren’t going to drive tons of business to you on LinkedIn, but if you just do them randomly as you move through your networking activities they will continue to raise your star even if ever so slightly.

One day it will shine and someone you innocently complemented will come calling for your help. Again, it’s just more good will that will eventually pay off.

From Flyn

If you enjoy and get value from these post and don’t have my Mini Power Networking Course for LinkedIn you can get it free in my success kit. Just click the link below my picture at the top right.

The tab is basically just your “best answer” rating. You get ranked in the experts section two ways, by the number of questions you answer for the week, and in the categories for the number of best answers you’ve been awarded.

When you post or answer questions these best answers show up on your mini profile. Despite what other’s say I believe this has an impact on people who start to check you out.

It is obvious that someone who is getting a lot of best answers is at least helping a lot of people. And if those answers are in a specific area they certainly lead one to the conclusion that you have some expertise.

As a networking the most valuable thing you can do is become “invaluable” to your connections. If you are getting lots of best answer awards you are becoming valuable to others and this will have an effect on your success on LinkedIn. Great answers attract people to you and the more that see you the more opportunities you will have to gain more connections, more business, and other opportunities.

I think it also have value to become the top person in your particular area. For some categories this is very difficult as those who’ve been on LinkedIn the longest have already racked up huge numbers. However I do believe it is worth the effort to climb the list in your categories if for no other reason than this gets you doing a “valuable” or “value providing” activity.

Every so often on LinkedIn someone will actually post a request to find a specific product or service. They might be looking for a CRM expert, or a web designer, or whatever.

In this post I’m going to tell you the right way to handle these questions. Most people don’t know how to handle them properly or why there is a right and wrong way. I’ll explain.

Right Versus Wrong

There is really only a wrong way if you are interested in being seen as a true networker and not someone who’s just looking for business. A true networker will do everything possible to make sure the image put forth on LinkedIn is one of an “invaluable resource” and never a “prospector.”

This may be subtle but it has effect. You never want to make offers other than HELP (not your product or service) in public. You want to make them privately. “I know what you’re thinking – but this person asked for it.”

That’s true, but it is my opinion you don’t want to be one of the apparent “vulchers” listed in the answers to this question as it will make a dent in your image an invaluable resource.

Answering Properly

The first thing to do is add value to the questioner’s decision. In other words give the questioner information that will help them choose the best person or product. Tell them the pitfalls they should look out for in making their selection.

If you cannot do this effectively, don’t answer the question publicly, make a private response.

Second in the private section of the answer do the following (in order).

1. Tell the person you’d be happy to chat with them and give them more data re your answer and that you’d be happy to point them to some resources.
2. Share any specific info about their decision you may be able to provide from what you know about them.  For example if they’re looking for a web marketer (and that’s you) share a couple of key things you thing will be of value.
3. Tell them you are capable of helping them with this if they’re interested but that you are willing to help them out however you can in either case
4. Provide all of your contact information.
5. Ask them to connect and let them know they can contact you any time for advice and that you’d be happy to help if you can.

Summary

When you handle these questions in this way you keep your image as an invaluable resource in tact. You also add value to everyone reading the question which the other posts do not. This makes an impression on others who may in the future be looking for that same service.

You have also supplied value to the questioner whether they pick you or not. If they don’t have the greatest experience with the person or product they chose you may get a call later.

At least you have given yourself the maximum leverage for the future and with the other LinkedIn readers.

]]> http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/08/the-right-way-handle-linkedin-questions-asking-for-products-or-services/feed/ 4 http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/building-relationships-on-linkedin-piece-by-piece/ http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/building-relationships-on-linkedin-piece-by-piece/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:06:42 +0000 Flyn http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog//?p=230 Today I just want to share a very short but powerful tip on how you can start to build relationships on LinkedIn.

Engage the person who posts the question.

I recommend that you don’t just answer questions but look for ways to engage the person that asked.

You can do this by simply asking them in the private part of the message if they would be willing to share their ideas on the question, by inviting them to contact you if they would like clarification or more detail than you gave in your answer, or by asking if they would simply like to discuss the subject with you as you have an interest in it. Finally, of course, you should ask questioners to connect – it’s safe and with any kind of reasoning at all most people will connect if for no other reason that you answered their question.

This may seem dead stupid simple, but it starts the relationship process. Your small offer to help in combination with you participation in their questions puts this connection one step closer to a valued relationship.

Have a great weekend!

]]> http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/building-relationships-on-linkedin-piece-by-piece/feed/ 0 http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/selling-yourself-in-the-linkedin-question-and-answer-forum/ http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/selling-yourself-in-the-linkedin-question-and-answer-forum/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:12 +0000 Flyn http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog//?p=226 This article is a bit of a continuation or enhancement of a previous post “Selling Yourself on LinkedIn: Sales Skills for Networking.(Opens in a new widow)”  I received a comment today that made me believe this would be very useful to others.

The twist here is how to sell or promote yourself (your business) within the answer to the question and NOT come across as “selling” which as we learned in the previous post doesn’t work well.

How to go wrong

The first thing you must know is that when you do this wrong it looks like self promotion. This is NOT good and something I will not allow others to do in my own LinkedIn questions. The value of the Questions and Answer Forum is too great to allow sales pitches in the discussions.

Second, the wrong way to do this is to start off by not answering the question at hand and doing a good job at it. You can’t use this technique if you don’t leave a strong answer to the question.

So how do you sell yourself in your answer to a question?

Sometimes you simply get lucky and the question asks you to sell yourself by telling how you would handle a specific situation. Please don’t confuse this with the question that asks for a recommendation of product or service that you might provide – that’s a different situation and requires a different approach.

The key to selling yourself is tying the answer of the question to something you actually did. In your example you now have the ability to display results that show your proficiency. Here’s a personal example.

Question: Should we always blame the salesperson if they fail?

To this question I gave the basic answer “NO” you should never blame the salesperson as it is always the manager’s responsibility for a salesperson’s failure.

From there I gave a personal example form my career of what leadership can accomplish with a sales team. I then tied that back to the fact that you can’t blame the salesperson for failing if they aren’t given the tools. Then, I stated that in the end the manager either hired the wrong person, or didn’t provide the necessary tools thus proving my point.

Through this process I was able to show the readers what I can accomplish with a sales team (A resume of sorts.). However, I did it in a way that I have added tremendous value to the reader wanting the answer to the question. In this case, I answered the question completely and my example becomes a valid part of that answer rather than a sales pitch for my services.

Summary

In this case I successfully sold my wisdom/competence/skill to the reader.

Just take care in how you do this. You must make absolutely sure that the example you give is closely woven into the answer to the question. You give yourself insurance of not being seen as “selling” by writing a very high quality and detailed answer to the specific question.

From Flyn…

I really do appreciate your commenting on the posts, adding value to the content, asking questions, or just telling others what you think of the content (Thank you in advance for your kind words, and criticisms as they are both of value to me.) And if you happen to come by this post via an outside source where you have commented, please share the comment here as well.

]]> http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/selling-yourself-in-the-linkedin-question-and-answer-forum/feed/ 3 http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/something-linkedin-networkers-should-manage-but-most-don%e2%80%99t/ http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog/2009/07/something-linkedin-networkers-should-manage-but-most-don%e2%80%99t/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:22 +0000 Flyn http://onlinebusinessnetworker.net/blog//?p=223 Unless you read the bottom of Monday’s post, you will likely never guess what every active networker on LinkedIn should be managing and doesn’t. I’ll be willing to bet that less than 2% of LinkedIners actually manage this asset.

In fact just for kicks, if you are reading this post and already do this leave a comment with at least “I do” and if you wish a success story would be welcome. Be honest now – this isn’t about showing off.

Last chance, do you know what it is?

Who would have thought?

It’s your Questions and Answers in the forum. Your questions and answers are an extremely valuable asset and not managing this information is a big loss to you not only in information but in time. I’ll explain in a minute…

I believe that I’ve gotten best answer for the same answer, with only slight modifications at least once, maybe more. I believe it was a CRM question. There is one question on this subject that gets asked over and over again.

Anyway, let me start by explaining what you should do and then tell you why – though it will probably become obvious as I explain.

Steps to Managing Your Questions and Answer Data

Step #1 Keep the data for further use

When ever you answer or ask a question (That is if it is related to your expertise.) you should make a copy of the question or answer and store it in a word document for future reference. I believe that when you ask questions you can have them sent to yourself.

When you save these documents save them as the question itself. You can make directories for different types of questions so that you can more easily sort and manage the data. You want to do this off line as you will quickly have so many it becomes impossible to use them as stored on LinkedIn.

Step #2: Store the data in an organized way

You should always engage those who answer your questions and copy and save your engagements, both your comments and theirs. You should try to put the threads together within the document you have created for that question and if possible capture the whole discussion. You should also be saving and encouraging people to engage you in discussions on their questions. Again if the question isn’t relevant to your expertise you don’t need to bother except in the case where it is a hobby or interest of yours that you might enjoy keeping the information.

These are the two key steps to managing your questions and answers off line.

The Benefits and Uses

Here are just a couple of benefits to doing this.

They can be used again – many of the questions you ask or answer can be used again or will be put up by others. If you have this data you can now use it to answer questions or even ask better questions in the future. Often you will discover in reviewing this data sub questions you can use to further discussions. You may find things in the discussions that will add to the answer you gave and thus be able to give an even better answer the next time around.

They are useful for web sites, blogs, and even books as base material – I find as in just writing this blog that I discover new subjects, spins on subjects, and topics I can add to my course materials on LinkedIn networking. Not only do you get the original material but you will frequently find in reviewing it that you get many other valuable and useful ideas.

Summary

There is great advantage to collecting the data and conversations from your Question and Answer forum discussions. You will find that you very quickly develop a wealth of material that can be used in many different ways.