Are You an Open Networker?

I am an Open Networker. What does that truly mean to me?  My mother taught me to never talk to strangers, but now that I’m a Networking Coach, I decided that strangers are friends that I have yet to meet. That’s why I am an Open Networker and I’m proud of it.

DO I accept all invitations to connect?  Yes, I do. I attempt to start a conversation with my new contact and if there is no response, I either disconnect or add them to the lowest level of my contact management software. If a response appears, I attempt to continue a conversation by asking for an appointment – a convenient time to chat and for their phone number so I can call them – another step in getting to know them.

Now for the other side of the coin . . . if I did NOT accept all invitations, there is a possibility that a potentially wonderful connection will be overlooked. You never know how great a connection will be until you take the time to try to find out.

I totally agree with not asking “add me to your network” in forum discussions. To me, that’s plain rude. I also hate the phrase that asks if I am unwilling to connect, please don’t IDK me as it hurts my reputation. That to me, is the sign of a newbie networker who has a lot to learn in this networking world.

Being a Netweaver, learning to Pay It Forward, helping others, is what I’m all about. I love to meet new people and welcome invitations to connect. As a result of my LinkedIn Networking, I am approaching the 7,000 mark of first-line connections – look at the opportunity that exists for me to make friends all over the world! If not for those connections, I would not even begin to know a small percentage of these people.

If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to find me and ask. 

This is a great topic for discussion and I welcome your comments.  Please do comment in the section below and if we are not already connected, let’s connect!

http://www.linkedin.com/in/caroldeckert (use the email of caroldeckert@comcast.net) for invitations.

http://twitter.com/caroldeckert

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=646162255&ref=profile

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