Getting Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You
It is an established fact that LinkedIn is one of the most outstanding social media channels for professionals. It is powerful and effective and you will more than get out of it whatever you put into it. However, it is one thing to have a rich, amazing LinkedIn network but it is another thing to get all of your LinkedIn connections to trust you.
How you build a solid LinkedIn reputation
There are few elements that contribute to your reputation on LinkedIn as well as your social media reputation in general. They are your brand and your LinkedIn profile, the members of your LinkedIn community (or communities), and the actual content that you share with other people online.
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Your brand and LinkedIn profile: This is the first thing that your online connections will read about you and it is absolutely the first impression that your connections will get of your business and of precisely what you are offering them and what you can do for them. With that in mind, it is critical that you understand that this is a direct representation of who you are, what you stand for, and what you are capable of achieving. It is absolutely essential that the words that you choose are exactly what you want them to be. When it comes to your profile, it is extremely important that you choose the most appropriate photograph (one that is completely professional but not boring, at the same time) and a line of text that says volumes about you and that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. Make sure that you don’t simply use a job description or title. That will not create the lasting impression that you are going for. When it comes to the length of your headline, it should not be any longer than 120 characters. You must also make sure that your profile is compelling, honest, and valuable. If you are able to achieve that, your online connections will begin to trust you and to find you credible. Of course, you won’t succeed in business without those two qualities. To take it even one step further, if you offer your online connections top-quality advice that actually works for them, they will become loyal to you and they will want to deepen their interactions with you.
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Building and expanding your LinkedIn community: When it comes to successfully building trust with your LinkedIn community, it is not something that happens overnight. It will require some time and effort on your part. However, you will begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor and you won’t remember a time before you had achieved that milestone. In order to build any meaningful relationship, you need to take certain steps in a certain order. The first thing that you need to do is to make a human (or emotional) connection with the other person. Once you have established a connection, you need to engage the person and to keep engaging that person. It is, of course, important to bear in mind that the people you choose to connect with must be carefully planned out. Your choices should never be haphazard or accidental. You will want to choose people who think similarly to the way that you think. Also, you should choose people with whom you can share a mutually beneficial relationship. You should never, ever, try to sell anything to anyone in the beginning. The only thing that you need to be concerned with is building a meaningful, solid, lasting relationship with the other person. If you can do that, you will be golden!
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Teaching other people through your content: Your content is king. In other words, you will use your content to benefit other people. You will teach them things that they didn’t know before and you will convince them (through your content) that you have the ability to solve their problems. In fact, you will go one step further and encourage and convince your online connections to share your valuable content with other people whom they know and trust. If they have a solid relationship with those other people, there is no chance at would steer them in the wrong direction by sharing anything that wasn’t of value. The more valuable your content is, the broader your exposure will be. People generally recognize something that is of value to them. Of course, that will, in turn, build trust and credibility, which has always been your ultimate goal.
Conclusion
Interestingly, one of the invitation options from LinkedIn to invite the other person to connect with you is about trust. Getting your LinkedIn connections to trust you will take some work on your part but it will be completely worth it. Nothing that is worth having comes without the required effort to be made. Just remember to connect with people with whom you share values and for whom you have respect. Once you have established that valuable connection with the other person, a connection that comes with trust and other valuable qualities, you will be able to take your relationship together to the next level.
We are pleased to provide you with the insightful comments contained herein. For a complimentary assessment of your online presence, let’s have coffee.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Dr Brian’s Marketing Network – Magical Marketing Ideas for Top Marketers
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Trust is a two-way street; for me the opinions offered, comment and NEVER trying to sell me something go a long way. “Trust” is a rather strong word for what is largely acquaintances, no?
By Bennet Bayer
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Good advice. These are the LinkedIn basics and it’s amazing how many try to slip by without doing this basic groundwork. Above and beyond this, I think it’s important for your connections to feel you care about them. You do this through the tone of your messages, comments in groups, and comments on the updates of your connections. Too many of us have received invites from members who wanted to connect just to sell us something. That’s definitely NOT the way to build trust at a networking site like LinkedIn.
By Laura Stamps
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Absolutely, I agree with Bennet on no selling. Get to know each other through LinkedIn, and if an opportunity arises in the future, take the conversation off-line.
By Millie Lapidario
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I totally agree with Bennet, it is more of a respect between acquaintances. in the other side of the coin, selling something like services, goods, or even career qualification is inevitable, it is will always depends on whether you’ll refuse to buy or to take his/ her proposition. Its a personal choice. For as long as respect between two parties are not compromised, enlarging your tent of network is fun and exciting.
By Herminio Adorna
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Personally, I like that fact that LinkedIn opens up my options to meet new companies, people, etc. through selling (as long as it is not out of control). Especially if it is a service that is new to me or wanted more info on to help my business. I suppose that is easy to say since I am on the business development side of things, however if any services that my company offered could help another company achieve their goals then in a way the “soft sell” through LinkedIn is good for all of us.
By Derek Olson
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
LinkedIn is an effective way of identifying people who might be interested in what you have to offer and, more often than not, they will make their mind up initially on your profile.
By George Atkinson
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Social Media Mastery for Business Leaders
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
You don’t get them to trust, but you continue to be genuine and authentic to the values you hold dear, and values that guide you.
By Sean Gallahar
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Same as selling, over 65% o the process is building TRUST & RAPPORT and identifying their needs. What do people like to talk about? Yes, themselves. So asking questions about them works amazingly well.
By Brad Loyd
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
True professional business leaders follow Covey’s advice: operate on the bank of trust. I grant it until you’ve done something to withdraw from it (lie, misrepresent, lack ethics), then attempt to restore it with a quick deposit of an expectation-setting discussion. It’s about people maintenance, not hazing or setting impossible one-sided view bars due to someone’s personal hang-ups about respect/trust or prior business problems.
By Cheryl Swanson
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
This is slightly off topic but I get at least three requests a week to connect with someone. 98% of those requests make absolutely no attempt to give me a reason to connect with them. They use the default text.
I just don’t get that. You may be the coolest person on earth but at the time of the invitation I don’t know that. You have to give me some reason. Even a tiny attempt to personalize the message would make a huge difference. Yes, I want to grow my network but not with just anybody. Find something that we have in common or something!
At least that is how I feel. What say the rest of you?
By Ralph Marx
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Absolutely, Ralph! It’s even worse when the person inviting you doesn’t have a photo.
By Millie Lapidario
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
By positioning myself as a SME, providing helpful insights and valuable advice, and, above all, consistently delivering the goods. If they’re a new prospect or connection, then it helps to have relevant testimonials on your web site. Nothing promotes you more effectively than the words of others. Of course, humility is very important. Arrogance sows the seeds of its own undoing.
By Ron MacDonald
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Ralph (sadly) all too true. I am amazed at the InMail’s I get (at least one each day) offering me product or solutions my own company makes. Even leads in global markets. Marketing automation run wild – all without an attempt to engage.
By Bennet Bayer
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Remember the time (maybe some of us were teenagers or university students) when youngsters used MIRC web chats?
Everyone was trying to meet everyone and find a date. At the time, if someone just tried to make conversation, it was ok. But if were trying to find out personal details or develop an online “romance” it was kind of strange.
I get the same feeling in Linked In. I use it to get in touch for business opportunities, but if I have some kind of proposal, I’d rather shift to email, phone or meeting. Get in touch, OK. Trying to spam or do “hard-selling”, is too intrusive. And Marketing agencies are now doing it on a daily basis.
By Jorge Nascimento
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Terrence
Terrence Lomax
Partner and Creative Director @ thinkforward Film Design, LLC | Video Experience Agency
I agree with Bennet, I love building my network but I always take a couple of minutes to look at who I would like to connect with before clicking that blue button. What is their company website, what projects have they just completed, what is their passion. I check all of this out and it makes the first conversation we have much more relevant.
When I connect with them, I always add a personal message that explains why a relationship with me would be relevant to them.
Once we are connected, if I want to connect further, I will usually look towards the phone or physical meeting. This has has pretty good success for me and I hope it helps you all as well.
By Terrence Lomax
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Some good basic advise. On selling on LI I concur. Don’t do it. It’s just such a nuisance. LI is here to engage, get to know the people you connect and if one day I’m looking for a service or product chances are I will seek you out. If you attempt to sell to me I will just ignore you and possibly ‘unconnect’ with you,
By Ali Hussein Kassim
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I connect with individuals that I feel could offer something to my personal/career growth or who offer services that I could benefit from either now or in the future. I have hired the services of several individuals and companies I have found here. Sometimes I connect quickly because I’m just short on time but I still want to make that connection before I move on to something else. So I am guilty of not making the connection so personal….leaving a personal message. I think it is important to allow others to connect with you even if it’s not a “perfect” match or done properly. I trust others until they show me differently. Just one man’s opinion.
One more thing: if I try to connect with someone and they don’t respond, I normally would not use their services. This happened recently when I tried to hire a photographer. He never responded to my invite so I moved on to someone else who did respond. I feel most people connect because they “want” something which is normally a good thing here….it’s an opportunity to sell your services.
By Mark Farley
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Visual Validation is an A+. I believe the best strategy is to have your Skills & Endorsements filled by pro´s, not by your office members (I´m making my first steps). Also is important for marketing professionals to have a lot of visual validation (url´s of press releases with our name on it, commercials and marketing campaign material and the old selfie with celebrities).
By Marco Mendoza Weffer
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I follow a simple personal rule in my business life – people engage if there is value, something to gain. “Cold calling” is a process in the past – we all use the internet as a research tool. Your presence is part of your story and reputation.
By Nicc Lewis
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I agree on points raised by Ralph Marx above as well as other contributors! I especially wish invitations to connect would really ” sell ” their invitation to me! The default” I’d like to add you …. ) does not excite me at all!!!LinkedIn is a professional site and there is need to have professional interactions with it! I have turned down many invitations precisely because they don’t excite me or make me curious! There is no time to go thru every profile before you can have an idea of why you are invited to connect! even after connecting, they don’t keep in touch esp after initiating the contact! It appears to me that people may just want to increase number of connections!! I may be wrong…
By Amilia Moremogolo Malebane
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Connect with people who have the same shared interest but interestingly you find people who are not in your network or share very different view which you admire or respect later. Having said post your opinions about the things you care or have same positions and later the trust will be found and/or acquired.
By Ben Marandi
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
If you are colleagues in an organization, there should be instant shared interest/trust for mutual goal achievement of what has been defined by the leader as priorities. That’s how we drive stock prices in large public companies and focus on the org’s needs from us as part of its resource mix (labor/talent). You don’t have to have common opinions to earn trust. Everyone getting paid by an entity has a vested interest in furthering the health of that entity per the company plans. This is what attracts organization-focused people who enjoy working collaboratively on bigger pictures vs. autonomy-focused solopreneurs or contractors.
Even in a small business, the profit-sharing bonus drives the appropriate focus of a team.
By Cheryl Swanson
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Trust shouldn’t be an issue. If you want a strong, viable network, then every connection you have should be someone who would be willing to step out for a few minutes and “have a coffee” with you should you be in their neck of the woods. The best connections are former employees or clients, industry colleagues, or someone with whom you share a field of interest, and that you meaningfully interacted with at a trade show, conference or meeting. If you are the one who suggests a follow-up connection invitation, when you write it, you remind them when, where and how you met, and the reason why you both agreed it’s a good idea to connect. You might also end up connecting with a fellow group members after an exchange of comments in a group discussion–but again only if the interaction is mutually recognizable as meaningful. That is where you make the real connection. Effective interpersonal communication is no different on LinkedIn than in “real life.” If you are trolling for leads using connection requests, then you are part of the problem, not part of the solution. I would never respond to any sort of pitch made through a connection request–and I get plenty. However, if someone sent me an In Mail referencing a mutual trusted contact, and I see the benefit, I would most likely connect after further discussion. In a way, I see myself protecting my network from folks that are motivated to use LinkedIn exclusively as a sales tool. I don’t want to be the weak link in the chain. I wish more of my Facebook friends would feel the same way when they go about liking all sorts of random stuff and clutter up my news feed!
By Erich William Berger
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I agree with so many folks here. I like using LinkedIn to connect with people who may need my services. But since I don’t like it when people connect with me with the auto-generated message, I make sure to always put a personal touch in my connect messages. I don’t mind if they don’t ever contact me again, but at least I tried and it didn’t seem like a blah-blah-boring-sales-message.
By Kiri Mohan
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
My company provides geomarketing services for different companies and specialties, obviously the contacts I’m looking for, are working in very specific jobs and levels, when I contact those people for the very first approach, they can read the personal and company profiles; if they accepted me, it is because they are also interested about the services I can provide, isn’t that one of the purposes of LinkedIn? The second approach to them is to send them a thank you message for accepting me as a contact, this is a business message of the company with business information. Fortunately, a great deal of the responses I received from them, are very polite and in most of the cases they ask for more information, in the worst case they forward the message to other colleagues inside the company. I consider that this communication is very professional in both ways, so far I haven’t received any complaint about this B2B procedure from my contacts.
By Jorge Castilla
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I share consistently value-rich content using my LinkedIn Results system that engages them, nurtures our relationship and helps them to know, like and trust me.
By Christine Hueber
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Marketing Communication
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
Very interesting conversation. Trust is something I go in believing in the person, it takes someone to do something to take the trust away. On LinkedIn, if you don’t abuse the privilege of communicating with your contacts or groups, the trust would continue.
By Scott Michelson
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Social Media Mastery for Business Leaders
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
I think we have to have trust in any relationship, and a business relationship is one of them. I never sell my connections upfront. I introduce myself first because I want to get to know them, who they are, and what they are about. Then we can talk about our businesses as we learn about each other and become friends. After all I’m on social media to be social, and make friends as well as business connections.
By Charlotte Nash
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
By pointing out that their success in my business does not require that they trust me but know the business. Its all about the business and profitability for all. And share the evidence because talk alone is not reliable.
By Pat Barrow
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Succeed: Small Business Network, Powered by Staples
Discussion: How Do You Get Your LinkedIn Connections to Trust You?
@Pat, good comment. Know the customer and what is perceived as value most of all. How do you learn this to avoid randomness by the squeakiest of wheels? Client research! It’s fast, inexpensive, and easy with tools like surveymonkey.com. You can segment by length of time as customer, size of revenue contribution, geography, or any other criteria that might help you weight their feedback as a customer segment for setting priorities.
By Cheryl Swanson