Don’t You Know Who I am?
Have you ever walked to the front of a line in a crowded place and with your best Hollywood face pronounce to the gate keeper, “don’t you know who I am?” in an attempt to beat the system and gain entry? If you have played around with this meager approach you’ll know first hand that it never works because if you have to ask, then you are probably not that popular.
In the social networked world that we are living in, we are being programmed to make connections, lots of connections. The emphasis is so strong, that the number of connections or friends (as they are often referred to) that we have amassed are displayed prominently on our profile pages. This number then becomes our publicly declared popularity statement.
Most people spin their wheels trying to find people “they know” in the online social communities and then send out invitations to connect. After attending a presentation given by John Sumser this week at POWER-GEN International my thinking has been irreversibly altered. John proclaimed to a roomful of industry job seekers that today it was less about who you know and more about who knows you. Think about that for a second. Now, think about that from the perspective of career management. In today’s world of online connections, the more people that know you the better your chances are for being considered for new opportunities, promotions, speaking engagements, etc.
Becoming popular in the online world is easier then you might think. Consider some of the following in your path to online stardom:
- Spend time creating your online profile (on Linkedin, Facebook, MySpace, etc…) and ensure that it reflects the image that you want to present to the world.
- Accept invitations to connect
- Participate in the conversations found in the online industry groups. The simplest approach is to start responding to some of the questions, inquiries or comments that are being posted.
- Write a Blog.
- Contribute editorial content to industry websites, publications, associations, etc…
In the model of building popularity you need to start thinking more about how you can add value to your network and less about how you can benefit. By taking this approach, the benefits will be commensurate with the effort.
Tags: blog, connections, Facebook, john sumser, LinkedIn, MySpace, networking, power-gen international, Social Networking
December 12th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Dear Jamie,
I appreciate what you or John Sumser are saying about the better way to use a social/professional network, and I agree with you. It’s more about giving something valuable first hand to your network, community, business group…
For the last 4 months I have been blogging, sending messages, inviting new people into my network, answering requests from online professional groups I belong to. I also answered many business questions, trying to give my humble opinion on some topics I felt I had some sort of knowledge or experience.
And then I didn’t try to ask for some favor from my network, but instead advertised about a consulting project I have been working on for a couple of months, on Linked In, in order to raise intellectual and business interest.
But nobody, neither in my direct network, or indirectly through social groups ever replied or interacted with me. I would accept that my project is of no interest, and I did the test a second time, by launching several discussions on energy efficiency and financing with “green” groups. But again without success.
So, my impression of these networks is that people interact the same way than before in between colleagues, or already business partners, with a twist: it’s done online. Apart from direct networking, these online networks are great tools for head hunters…
I might be missing the point here, but what you are saying about giving a free trial before expecting people to even consider you is not a new feature.
Regards
December 18th, 2008 at 10:22 am
To BenParis,
I believe what most people are seeking is quantity versus quality with the online networking sites. However, to gain real quality business you have to gain quality relationships. It is not about how many contacts you can get but how many contacts you can get with a true value behind it.
In Linked In, I do not accept an invite from someone who I have briefly had an encounter with. It has to be a friendship of sorts.
Hope this helps.
Thanks
December 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Dear Jamie,
I agree to BenParis views mostly these linked in network are extension of friends and their professional network. They are not serious in giving feed back for a project in discussion.
I feel mostly because the people does not belong to particular group are becoming the member by accepting all the invitation. Therefore core essence of the subject is diluted.
These network require more optimisation for best usage.
Thanks
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Interesting article. As a recruiter who uses LinkedIn and other sites as networking tools, I am always interested to hear other individual’s feedback on such sites. While many use it strictly to remain in touch with friends and colleagues, I do know many people who use it for a much broader purpose. I provide feedback on such projects when I feel my opinion will positively impact the discussion. A good portion of discussions would not necessitate my two cents.
With that said, if people want to solicit some input from me, I am more than willing to help.