I don’t mean to date anyone but do you remember when you either called someone, sent them a letter, or Fed Exed the package over? Technology has changed the landscape of communicating and interacting. In some ways its better and in some ways its gotten more complicated. Have you ever requested an introduction to a 3rd degree connection only to still be waiting three weeks later for the message to be delivered? I personally don’t request many introductions because it just seems simpler to pick up the phone and call the person. I simply introduce myself and tell them how we’re connected on LinkedIn and then ask my question or deliver my message. If I’m not able to make it interesting in a short conversation I doubt I could do better in writing. Introductions are a good thing, you just can’t count on them to be delivered 100% of the time. At least with a phone call you have an answer whether positive or negative and you can go to the next step or move on. What do you think?
J.D. Gershbein is the President of Owlish Communications, an Internet Marketing firm based in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Vernon Hills. When he’s not helping his clients shine on LinkedIn, J.D. creates business cartoons and comic strips that brand businesses and make them memorable. He is the creator of the comic strip, The Handshake Club™, which features such notable characters as Will Banter™ and Brandy Share ™.
URL for J.D. Gershbein: http://www.owlishcommunications.com/owlishstory.html
URL for Owlish Communications: http://www.OwlishCommunications.com
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About Sean Nelson
Great idea, Sean. Question. Where do you find the phone number?
Zee,
I usually go to the website to find the number.
Sean
100% agree! I think the introductions are helpful when your second level contact OFFERS to facilitate the intro; it provides them the opportunity to give back to their network and fuels the social network engines. I much prefer to call into the contact and establish the personal connection first and then grow my LinkedIn network. I think the contact is better served as well; because the theory is that you are connecting to add value to their network as well, so do not delay the exchange of benefits through a middleman.
Since many LinkedIn accounts do not post a telephone number for 2nd degree connections (probably against their policy as is posting an e-mail address), what would be the best way to easily find the telephone number?
Good point, Sean! A man of ACTION! Quick questions from yesterday, so if we are posting or answering a discussion on the groups, we are not supposed to put our phone number? I just want to make sure I dont get “called to the principal’s office” at LinkedIn & get suspended. Thanks in advance.
Mike,
I mentioned the website in an earlier post. But you can also search Google, local pages, whitepages.com, list sources such as ReferenceUSA.
Sean
Good point Dave.
I think in the groups and answers section you are OK doing that. It’s primarily in the profile that they are concerned with. I think you’re safe.
***Where are you in July? I’m co-dependent upon you to help facilitate the group meeting.
Marie, that was funny! I need to re-read the rules for sure.
Traci
Have a great day y’all and keep up the good work!
I agree, that telephone is always best but use linkedin as a starting block, emails do work sometimes though, but telephone is best.
If you have the number it is best to call, than to get a message from LinkedIn asking you to ‘UPGRADE ACCOUNT” because you have utlised the intros available to you
I find Linkedin good for finding a named contact (with a job title) at a Company. I can then find the number and ask for that person by name. This is much better than ringing up reception and asking who is responsible for the area of the business that I can provide services to. (if you don’t have a name a lot of receptionsists (gate keepers) will not put you through or give you the name.
The bigger my network the more chances of finding named contacts at a Company I am about to canvass to introduce my services.
Thank you everyone for the comments and participating in the discussion. I find it’s a more valuable post when others add their comments. Keep them coming.
Sean