Turning LinkedIn Connections into Meaningful Relationships
Why connections IRL > Digital
Why connections IRL > Digital
Let's explore the power of networking and why LinkedIn represents a form of "soft networking." While LinkedIn is a powerful platform, it can sometimes lack depth. I enjoy transforming these superficial connections into more profound, more meaningful relationships. Some of my best connections have come from LinkedIn, which is reminiscent of Facebook's heyday. For example, I was reading SQL patterns by someone I respect, Ergest Xheblati (Minimum Viable SQL Patterns | Business Operations Nerd), and I noticed a few bugs in his examples, likely caused by changes in the data sources he based some of his examples on. I reached out to him with my comments on his book—which I think is great but needed these points fixed. This led to a conversation with him and an introduction to another startup I was helping, which has spawned further conversations and networking opportunities and hopefuly work together in the future. These kinds of connections have led to book-writing conversations with publishers, collaborations, job opportunities, and business growth.
Yet, for me, building genuine relationships usually requires meeting in person—I know, it makes me sound old. It could be at a bar, coffee shop, or over dinner. The act of showing up and engaging face-to-face truly cements these connections. That's why I dedicate time to networking face-to-face from the realm of LinkedIn, converting this soft network into a true network.
Your LinkedIn profile is like an online business card. It's usually the first thing people see when they find you online or through a Google search. It's crucial to make it professional and engaging. If you don't define your story, someone else will—and that's not ideal.
As of today, LinkedIn stands as the foremost social network for professionals, a crazy 1~ billion active users.
Here are the three main reasons to invest in it:
Networking- is fundamental in a remote world. It lets you connect with peers and exchange opinions in a "professional" online environment. This is even more important for development. You can expand your network and find new job opportunities by joining discussions and online events. Networking well on LinkedIn has boosted my career. So, it is now an essential tool, although it can be fickle for someone who writes and posts daily.
Learning — LinkedIn offers a wealth of interesting content for personal and professional growth, depending on who you choose to follow; for example Nicola Ballotta ( Hybrid Hacker), Cedric Chin ( Commoncog.com - best business writing on the web) , Jordan Cutler (High Growth Engineer Newsletter) and hundreds more.
Jobs — you can find job opportunities and hire talent yourself; but applying directly is mostly a waste of time these days (see networking below)
Here's a little backstory about my origins: My parents homeschooled me, which resulted in a more isolated childhood than most. Growing up on a small Canadian island, I was an extroverted Dungeons & Dragons fan with a ponytail who enjoyed Warhammer and video games. This environment restricted my interactions to mostly white, male individuals. It limited my exposure to diverse opinions.
Landing my first job at a local grocery store at 14 was a pivotal moment. Interacting with customers and coworkers was challenging at first, but it pushed me further out of my comfort zone over time. This experience marked the beginning of my journey to break out of my shell.
I landed this position through a friend's referral for an interview. It became my first real job, a significant step up from the odd jobs I'd done at a computer store (where my small hands came in handy) and my babysitting gigs. This grocery store job represented my first consistent paycheck. It's amusing to note that neither linkedin.com nor even thefacebook.com existed at this point—talk about feeling old.
This early job experience laid the foundation for my future networking skills. Although I didn't realize it at the time, each customer interaction was preparing me for the professional connections I would make later in life. The transition from my first steps in the job market to the world of work was just the beginning of my journey in building relationships.
As I progressed in my career, I realized the importance of building connections. I started small, attending local meetups and industry events. Each interaction, despite my initial discomfort, contributed to the growth of my confidence. Over time, I discovered that I enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories. What began as a necessary skill for career growth transformed into a genuine interest in connecting with others.
I now seek networking opportunities. I organize events and mentor others on building professional relationships. It's a far cry from the introverted teenager I once was, but it's a journey for which I'm grateful.
Overwhelmed by the idea of networking
I understand. In the tech field, we often lean towards introversion. We spend long periods staring at screens, connected to our music, or focused on solving problems. Yet, most white-collar work is innately human. We haven't figured out how to outsource or solve our problems without talking to another person, and I hope we never have to outsource human connection.
When networking, I like to focus on what I want from a conversation: a genuine connection.
Daily Goal of Connecting with 5+ people each day. This will grow your network and expose you to new ideas and people.
Engage and Interact: Don't be a spectator. Engage with others. Comment, share your insights, and join the conversations. Let your expertise shine, and let others recognize you as a valuable contributor.
Share Your Progress: Are you working on an exciting personal project, such as a Substack or a new app? Don't hesitate to share your daily progress. Sharing your journey shows your skills and passion. It attracts like-minded people who could become valuable connections.
Collaborate and Connect: If you find insightful information or posts from others in your field, respond with your thoughts. Meaningful conversations are a great way to connect and collaborate.
Authenticity is fundamental to networking. Approach networking by being yourself and focusing on helping others. Share helpful resources, give constructive feedback, and support their goals.
Hearing "So, what do you do?" repeatedly at networking events can quickly become tiresome, potentially driving you to leave early or you drive them away. Don't fall into the trap of asking such mundane questions. Instead, try expanding your conversation deeper, even when on linkedin to connect with the person you're talking to genuinely. For instance, you might ask;
"What aspects of your work gets you fired up?”.
I'm curious about what they find most attractive in their daily lives. Often, they share stories about their kids, pets, and adventures—from long hikes to ice climbing and rock climbing; living in India to study yoga with a guru because learning from the source seemed better than spending the same amount of money on attending a yoga teacher training ( this is me)
You might discover something exciting about the person you thought was just another data nerd. Perhaps they're an artist. If so, ask them what kind of art they create, what drives them, and what makes them tick. I always enjoy exploring these aspects of people.
A common misconception about LinkedIn is that it's solely for professional networking. While it certainly serves that purpose, LinkedIn offers much more. It's a platform where people can discuss a wide range of topics and maintain connections and reconnect.
Unlike Instagram or Facebook, where you might not connect with many coworkers, LinkedIn provides a space to engage with past and present colleagues. It's particularly useful for staying in touch with people you've enjoyed working with.
LinkedIn allows you to maintain a professional rapport even if your relationship doesn't extend to personal matters like family or vacations. It's an ideal platform for this type of focused, career-oriented interaction.
However, the true power lies in converting this soft network into something more meaningful, so please, if you take away anything from this article; get out there and network. You never know how your next connection will pan out; also, put your goddamn phone down when you are talking to someone.
Resources
https://hbr.org/2022/11/a-better-approach-to-networking
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