By Lyle Orwig
Networking. For work or for yourself? If you think of them separately, you’re wrong. I’ve made some best friends networking that many would say was for business. AAEA provides many perfect opportunities for both.
LinkedIn says networking is about meeting and establishing mutually beneficial connections with people in your profession or industry with a goal of building a professional network: a group of people who you would do you a favor for, and who would do a favor for you. To me that’s the same as friendship building.
But maybe most important, a Harvard Study of Adult Development confirmed that people with meaningful relationships live measurably richer, happier, healthier lives.
So here are 10 tips learned while building my LinkedIn network.
- Make your LinkedIn profile reflect you – Seems straightforward, but when crafting your profile, include a description that is a creative encapsulation of the kind of work you do and related links to the projects of which you are most proud.
- Be a completist – To put your best foot forward, fill out every section, from certifications, professional groups like AAEA, awards won and industry-specific skills. When viewed, you want seekers to see the breadth of your experience.
- Make sure people can reach you – Especially freelancers. Many skip the contact section making people LinkedIn dependent on you. Are your phone number, email and relevant social media accounts easily accessible? Growing your network helps get more clients.
- Support your colleagues – Of course, you’ll showcase your own skills, but a simple and effective way to be active on the platform is to endorse/recommend colleagues. Do it with sincerity and specificity about what makes them great. This also speaks of you as a team player.
- Don’t be a taker – One central rule is simple but bears repeating: don’t reach out only when you need something. You need to cultivate relationships and engage with connections so when you’re looking for that favor it isn’t an awkward ask.
- Be a helper – When you meet people at AMS, following the exchange of cards make note on the card an interest or needs. Then follow-up on it.
- Do more than just troll online – Once you’ve connected, it does nothing if it’s just another name in your network. Make plans to speak or meet in person. A relationship will only have as much value as you put into it.
- Stay involved – Join a LinkedIn group matching your interest. A search of “ag editors” on LinkedIn Group gives you more than 100 from cannabis growers to machinery fanatics.
- See me – Never underestimate the profile photo. Those with a professional looking headshot get more views and interactions than ones without.
- Going without your byline – Know when you view someone’s profile, they know. To spare yourself some embarrassment of trolling on your competitor’s profile turn off the feature. Go to Account Settings > Privacy & Settings > Profile > What Others See When You’ve Viewed Their Profile. Drawback is when choosing anonymity, you won’t see who is trolling you.