In honor of the complete networking fail witnessed this week with the PR crisis that is Kelly Blazek, I thought it would be appropriate to recap three resources we’ve shared here on how to properly build your network. These resources will assist you regardless of what stage of the networking game you may find yourself in currently.
Happy networking everyone and remember — don’t ever, ever burn a bridge.
Startup Mistakes: LinkedIn Etiquette (Are Connections Ignoring You?)
Whether you’re using LinkedIn to reach out to prospects, media members, or others in your industry, you should follow some basic etiquette when attempting to connect with someone. In this video, I explain why taking the extra two minutes to include a personal note in your LinkedIn invitation – rather than just using the generic wording provided by LinkedIn – gives you a much better chance that the person will accept your invitation to connect.
What Junior High Taught Me About Networking …
The tendency to stick with what or whom we already ‘know’, instead of looking for new opportunities and relationships, can limit our success and stunt our growth, causing our networks to shrink and falter. Before long, if we’re not careful, we can become stuck in a series of relationship ruts within a network that has closed in on itself.
Sound dismal? Good. This is serious stuff. Your future success and life satisfaction very much depend on the quality and composition of your relationships and networks.
This is not a new problem. Remember junior high? For many, it is the first time we can recall our longing for the security of acceptance, instead being met with the harsh sting of rejection … Read on.
How to Grow Your Network and Gain Leads: 8 Keys to Success
The dilemma: You want to know how to grow your network and get leads but you’re not sure how or you’re unsure of the best way to go about it. It seems some people have more networking success than others and with seemingly less effort. What’s their secret? Where’s the magic formula? This post covers eight tips to help you grow your network and gain leads:
- It never hurts to ask.
- Play nice.
- It’s not about your network.
- Extend beyond your own backyard.
- Enlist the right tools.
- Do your homework.
- Invest the time.
- Don’t apologize when asking someone for help.
So, speaking of Kelly Blazek, what do you think about what she did? Do you think it’s fair to call her out online? It definitely looks like she’s been a bully to a number of people but is it fair to call her out so severely online?
Have you ever had someone send you a rude reply when requesting to connect?
