Comments on: Why Reach Out To Someone Outside of LinkedIn? http://imonlinkedinnowwhat.com/2009/12/23/why-reach-out-to-somone-outside-of-linkedin/ the blog behind the book Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:43:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: JibberJobber Blog » Blog Archive » Twitter Results: Ferrazzi, Sara and Susette http://imonlinkedinnowwhat.com/2009/12/23/why-reach-out-to-somone-outside-of-linkedin/comment-page-1/#comment-19300 JibberJobber Blog » Blog Archive » Twitter Results: Ferrazzi, Sara and Susette Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:17:48 +0000 http://imonlinkedinnowwhat.com/?p=603#comment-19300 [...] my LinkedIn blog I wrote why I think you should contact someone OUTSIDE of LinkedIn … it might be better to communicate to someone in an email.  Don wrote a fantastic comment, [...] [...] my LinkedIn blog I wrote why I think you should contact someone OUTSIDE of LinkedIn … it might be better to communicate to someone in an email.  Don wrote a fantastic comment, [...]

]]> By: Don Stewart http://imonlinkedinnowwhat.com/2009/12/23/why-reach-out-to-somone-outside-of-linkedin/comment-page-1/#comment-19269 Don Stewart Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:06:38 +0000 http://imonlinkedinnowwhat.com/?p=603#comment-19269 I cannot agree with Jason enough. Even though it is hard to believe, there are many people out there who either don't know what LinkedIn is or even worse, have no clue why they have an account and what they should be using it for. I have been successful in contacting people outside of LinkedIn using the same strategies that I would for contacting someone withing LinkedIn.... 1) Find someone who's name you can use OR who is willing to make an introduction for you. 2) Make sure you know "Why" your contact is willing to make that introduction or allowing you to use their name. That is....in speaking with Jason, he may say, "Sure Don you can use my name to contact XXX." My comment would be "Thanks Jason, can I say that you gave me XXX's name because......." or " Thanks Jason. In addition to my asking you to make that connection, are there any other reasons why you think I should connect with XXX?" Now when you make the connection, you can state that "XXXX, in a recent conversation with Jason, he suggested I reach out to you because....." Adds LOTS of creditability. 3) Use the communication tool you feel most comfortable with....email to their direct email account, phone and even standard first class mail. Although LinkedIn is a GREAT tool, not everyone is using it like you are. Use the communications tools you KNOW they are using...email, phone and snail mail! Best of luck to all. Don I cannot agree with Jason enough. Even though it is hard to believe, there are many people out there who either don’t know what LinkedIn is or even worse, have no clue why they have an account and what they should be using it for.

I have been successful in contacting people outside of LinkedIn using the same strategies that I would for contacting someone withing LinkedIn….
1) Find someone who’s name you can use OR who is willing to make an introduction for you.
2) Make sure you know “Why” your contact is willing to make that introduction or allowing you to use their name. That is….in speaking with Jason, he may say, “Sure Don you can use my name to contact XXX.” My comment would be “Thanks Jason, can I say that you gave me XXX’s name because…….” or ” Thanks Jason. In addition to my asking you to make that connection, are there any other reasons why you think I should connect with XXX?” Now when you make the connection, you can state that “XXXX, in a recent conversation with Jason, he suggested I reach out to you because…..” Adds LOTS of creditability.
3) Use the communication tool you feel most comfortable with….email to their direct email account, phone and even standard first class mail.

Although LinkedIn is a GREAT tool, not everyone is using it like you are. Use the communications tools you KNOW they are using…email, phone and snail mail!

Best of luck to all.

Don

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