Over the last month I’ve focused on building my connections. A natural place to start was with the GNFCC (North Fulton Chamber). Over the past year I have scanned every card into Card Scan to build a list of people participating in the chamber. Some of these people I’ve met and some we’ve just crossed paths.
People that go to chamber meetings are looking to connect, so I started going through the list and inviting some of these folks to connect. In my invitation I simply said “We’ve crossed paths at the chamber. I am looking to use LinkedIn to enhance my chamber networking and I’d like to invite you to connect on LinkedIn.”
I figure these are the people that work in North Fulton and can help me or my clients, so its good to get to know as many as possible. At each chamber meeting there are 40+ people, so I can’t meet them all. LinkedIn provides a means of connection.
At the last chamber meeting, I was surprised to see that about 25% of the people there were connections. Many I had seen before, possibly said hello to, but had really not had a meaningful conversation. After the meeting I introduced myself to several, all who were familiar with me because of LinkedIn. What a great way to break the ice.
In my quest to find relevance to my business using LinkedIn, I have officially found the first way LinkedIn is relevant. It is enhancing my chamber connections. Being connected alone is not enough. It’s how you use that connection to expand your network. You still have to get out and meet people and tell your story. LinkedIn helps grease the wheels.
Sean Nelson
Acuity Benefits Solutions/Atlanta Health & Life
(404) 418-8753
