As anyone who has followed my blog and listened to the podcasts I've done, I quite firmly believe in LinkedIn and other networking sites as to way to find interesting people, as well as to be found.
In the early weeks of LinkedIn rolling out their "Answers" functionality (ask a question of your network or the network at large and get an answer back), I was aiming to ask intriguing questions roughly every week, to test the functionality, as well as to see whether it drove interest in my blog, or in increasing connections within LinkedIn. It worked on both counts incidentally, and I'd recommend that as a way to increase your exposure for nothing more than the cost of your time in asking or answering questions on LinkeIn.
In one of those questions, I asked "Who should I interview next on the topic innovation?" and interestingly, a local Bostonian (Gene Babon) saw the question and flipped it around on me - asking if I'd like to be the interviewee instead. Well, how can I say no to a local networker and content creator?
Gene uses an e-mail interview format rather than audio, and so the responses can be found at his site, beantownweb. Great questions, and I sincerely hope, useful answers.
Go forth and read the interview! Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. either on Gene's blog, or back here at BizTechTalk.com.
Thanks Gene for getting in touch, and turning the tables. A pleasure to participate!
Another tip for anyone networking, don't be afraid to reach out to people who are doing or have done work that really intrigues you. Make sure the pitch you make to connect identifies a real connecting point (not just "I want to expand my network"), and you should have a very high success rate. I certainly have, and have had some fantastic conversations as a result. Make it a connection for a reason, and you are likely to break through the noise.
Comments