So do you hold to Open Networking or Closed Networking?

Open Networker stands for accepting invites on social media platforms from everyone who wants to connect.
VS
Closed Networking is just the opposite as one grows ones connection base very selectively, with the goal of having “significant relationships, quality over quantity is the overwhelming thought.

Both schools of thought have valid arguments and I believe people can benefit from both.

In the Open Networker setting, people see the value in growing a large connection base as on Linkedin to gain access to their connections, connections. In this, the direct connection may not have immediate value, but the potential a connection holds to connect to someone of value is high. In addition on Linkedin this drives the Linkedin “search” when you are looking for a target specific person or title within a company. So at the end of the day these are both solid reasons to be an Open Networker on Linkedin.

In the Closed Networking setting people see the value in being selective in connections that can bring value to them in their current position. If the connection cannot bring a direct value then that person is often declined as an invite. The closed networker often values direct relationships with a small group of connections adding significant dialogue to each connection. Along with providing adequate attention to each connections request and needs. Thus bringing real value added benefit as being a direct connection. Closed networkers often drive results through loyalty & respect of their connections.

I believe that adding as much value added attention, as an Open Networker will go a long way in producing loyal connections similar to closed networkers. One method to use would perhaps be a blog, something you can provide to all your connections that offer value added benefits to those directly connected to you, but does not require continuous one on one conversation with each connection. Twitter is another great resource that you can post continuous value added resources and tips to your connections. See my recent article on “why twitter for business” if you’re skeptical about the benefits of twitter as a business professional.

So at the end of the day, both schools of thought have merit and I know I have left out additional points to both, which allows us to continue the conversation with your added comments.

Are we connected yet?
I accept all invites at linkwithrandy@yahoo.com

~Randy Schrum
An Open Networker who strives to bring value to his connections.

Here is a connection building tool I use here
http://tinyurl.com/connectbuilder

Building A Large Network Quickly

So you want to build a large network and do it fast. Building a large network is more of a formula than it is one or two easy steps. Once you have all the proper additives then you can see great results. I will share with you the additives I have used that have resulted in a great “Formula For Success”.

1. In your participation in any discussion or answer/ question be sure to leave a signature “that is a call to action”, it cannot be a straight out focal point of the post, but more of a soft plug. Drive them to your profile, see my recent post on “Your Profile is Your Resume”, as this is critical to growing your connections quickly as well. One signature idea is to sign off with your name and simply “Invites Welcomed”
2. Be sure to participate in all “open invites here” discussions in groups, just simply post your invite email address so open networkers can invite you.
3. Be sure to put in your profile or headline that you’re an open networker / toplinked.com member.
4. Join Toplinkedin/ OpenNetworker (by clicking here), as not only a free member, but also as a paying member to receive the full benefits to grow your network fast!  You can read more about this hybrid way of building connections at the Success Store page.
5. Refer to my post on “How to load a CSV file” if you have questions on loading toplinked/ OpenNetworker lists.
6. Respond to every single invite, refer to my recent post on “Do NOT respond in Mass to invitations”, this is critical to getting your message out.
7. Comb groups for those who provide an email address and identify themselves as open networkers and invite them.
8. Develop a standard invite response that has 2-3 bullet points that drive you or your brand…Just save it in a word document so you can copy and paste into the response. I keep my document open all day and just copy and paste as the invites come in.
9. Be active! Read my report at www.theaggressivenetworker.com on “Setting a 24 hour perimeter” around your account! This is critical as well.

Your Friend in Success

Randy Schrum

Follow my sweet tweets for more FREE tips! www.twitter.com/randyschrum

*Now available Randy’s “Fast Start Guide to Linkedin Success” eBook click here to learn more

Aggressive Networking is a business and professional networking organization for the 21st Century! Utilizing both Social Networking Gatherings around the country along with Social Networking Online. Our meetings are simple well-organized events allowing and creating opportunity for professionals to network together in an easy atmosphere.

Randy Schrum Founder of “The Aggressive Networker” has extensive experience both on and off line networking. Randy will continue to share his networking knowledge to the masses creating the “21st Century Aggressive Networker” in the digital age!

Join with Randy in your local City to organize “Aggressive Networker Events”!

www.theaggressivenetworker.com
www.successwithlinkedin.com

Success Tip #4…..Building an Excel CSV File…
Everyone you run across on linkedin that you are not connected too, but they provide an email address in the profile. Listing themselves as toplinked, opennetworker, grouplinked, or LION. These are people who will accept your invite. Simply take the email address, copy and paste into an excel spreadsheet and “save as” a CSV file. You then can upload an entire list into linked in, by choosing to “import” your list. You can build a solid list through these groups. Toplinked, Grouplinked, Opennetworker.

You can also look through the groups and get specific. If they do not show 1st degree then they are not connected to you. So ad them to your list. Take 15 min a day for entire week to build a nice list then invite them all. Do this every week and you will build a solid group of connections. What I like best is the fact that you can search the specific industries you want to target by looking through the groups.

Good luck connecting

Randy Schrum

www.successwithlinkedin.com

P.S. of course you are not supposed to invite someone you do not know. However if they list themselves as one of the members of the above referenced groups then they are a member of the same groups you are a member to. This makes them a peer, so invite them all you want.

Join Groups on Linkedin and invite open networkers who are 2 degrees away from you or more.
Open networker= people who readily provide their email address openly within their profile. These people will accept all invitations. It is best to invite those who list LION, Toplinked, or say open networker in their profile.

Randy Schrum

Added Tip:  Be target specific in the groups you join!  Think about which markets you are going after.