Rules for Networking

Ma'am I take these type of articles like a salad bar, there are items that I like but some that I ignore. I like keeping a wide base of people and sometimes that may mean blanket adding of people. I've had some interesting experiences where even the smallest detail that I remembered about someone has been useful.

While I lived in the barracks I always kept my eyes open and my ears listening for what people had and what they needed to try to help people solve their problems and at the same time bring people together. LinkedIn is quite a bit different than a targeted professional site like this one. On LinkedIn the focus is broader and there is less of vetting of the type of people you are dealing with. I feel much more comfortable here on RallyPoint knowing that there is more of a common bond here since although we have different branches of service there is still a shared base of service and sacrifice that we've all shared.

I do use linkedin a lot.  I have joined groups that help me to grow.  I have learned a lot from following conversations in the groups and have participated in many of them in the last 18 months since retiring.  Having experts in your field that can mentor you and that you can go to when you have a question has been great.  The relationships that I have built in within the linkedin community has been vital to my new career since retiring in 2012.  I have learned a lot about the career paths available to me, many that I have never heard of before.

I am not big on linked in and or many of the new social networking sites. I do know that they are very important and they serve a great approach for those who are looking to expand their network. The 20 points I just read are great, thanks for the share, ma'am.

Ma'am I had seen this article before, and believe that most of it is simply the exercise of common sense and professionalism. A sore point for me is that I have noticed several of my LinkedIn contacts appear to be serial joiners. Their "network" far exceeds what any one person could possibly use in a constructive fashion, and I say that as pretty outgoing guy with a myriad of interest. Of late I spend far more time on Rally Point because we all regardless of branch have a more highly developed sense of core values and greater appreciation of shared sacrifice. Good catch for people new to the professional/social networking arena.

All 20 are great bits of advice for networking on Linkedin. I have one more don't ... don't sell en masse. Nothing irks me more than a connection who sends out a "sales" message to all thier 500+ connections or posts a "sales" link. If you think your product, service, etc. is great for me, then pitch it to me individually, otherwise, don't use Linkedin as your cheap alternative to a marketing strategy for your product/service.

I have been on Linked In for quite some time and over that period have seen as is mentioned in the article an evolution of how value can be extracted....at this time I keep active but really do not have the feedback from my contacts to confirm that they appreciate my comments or if I am way off base...as far as the 20 criticals...I believe this is in constant flux...as long as you don't aggravate and cross lines of civility...its a great outlet and vehicle to share thoughts and ideas!

Two more: Be straightforward when dealing with others and don't be weird. 

Ma'am, this is the second great post from you I have read in the last few minutes. As a recent college grad the timing of both of these articles is critical. Thank you for sharing them both. I will be digging through them looking for some good nuggets of information that I can use.