Three calls came to me directly out of the blue this week from CEOs or successful business owners, each tracking what I write, day in and day out.
LinkedIn is not a hobby for me.
I work it. Hard.
In 2012 I celebrated 500 connections.
My dinner companions laughed. Do you really KNOW these people? That glance between them that this was ridiculous.
I saw it differently.
I saw the concentric circles rippling outward and felt the powerful undercurrent pulling me toward new waters.
I said to my dinner companions, "I'm going for 1000."
They Laughed Out Loud. Pre-lol, really laughing out loud.
But instead of letting their opinions influence me, I dug in.
I learned more about myself and others as I saw connections expanding
I was never a writer. But I wrote and wrote and wrote.
I found my voice.
And an audience found me.
I had attracted an audience that fueled me. Not for personal gain, but to share insights that no one but me could or would offer.
LinkedIn was a slightly awkward job search site back them.
But some of us saw its potential differently.
I wrote more, and received such incredible feedback. I don't measure 'likes'. They are a shallow metric.
I measure other things I'll cover later.
'Likes' without Traction or Action are empty.
I started 'sending signals'. I coach clients with these words today.
Before each post, I visualized the person I was speaking to. It created an intimacy in the messages for me, as I aimed for connected to 'someone' out there.
The messages I receive come from those will never 'Like' anything.
But they reach me.
They saw the signals. 'They' were who the message of the moment was supposed to reach.
I'll now share concepts that have opened the doors to 100s of real conversations.
📌1 Authenticity attracts. And it attracts the authentic.
📌2 Intentionally focus on challenges others are facing with concern for them. It's the best time you can spend.
📌3 Re-read and edit if you don't feel your real message came through as intended.
📌4 Mix it up. Give people a chance to learn the many sides of you. Allow them to warm up to you prior to reaching out.
📌5 Speak your truth. If you believe in your heart that even one person out there will benefit, write it.
📌6 Celebrate others! There are endless people to acknowledge, appreciate, encourage. Imagine if you don't highlight them, no one will.
📌7 Be proud of your work and accomplishing something special and rare.
📌8 If you want others to read your work, read theirs This is a rule. If you're only here to 'take' and build your name, you'll never receive the full benefit of real, lasting relationships. Profitable ones, too!
Focus on your mindset.
Get your head and intentions right and the rest will flow.
I will focus on sending signals and attracting what others chase.
I'll share writing tactics next, but for today, simply ponder these.
I hope this gives you encouragement to start.
-Laurie
On How LinkedIn Has Changed My Life; Part 1 of ?
