Have you ever invited someone to join your network, only to have him or her turn you down? I have.
And for some of the dumbest reasons, too.
Have you ever wondered why some people have declined to connect with you? And are you guilty of the same reasons? Here are three of the worst reasons why your invitations are turned down.
I hope that none of them apply to you.
1.
They don't want any competitors in their network.
This one is rather crazy.
There are hundreds of social networks online and millions of people in them.
How many of them are you really competing with.
Probably very few.
Only those who are uninterested in collaboration will decline to connect with those in their own industry.
For myself, I'm happy to connect with anyone that might be a competitor.
There seems to be a remarkable cameraderie among professionals; and that enables us to learn from one another.
Why erect artificial barriers that keep us from doing so? In any business, accidents happen.
People get sick.
For one reason or another, we're not always able to be there for our customers.
Networking lays the foundation for a relationship that can enable the kind of cooperation you may need someday.
2.
They don't see a need for what you offer.
I've had people tell me this.
It's also crazy.
I'm not asking you to join me because I need your services, and I don't expect you to ask me to join your for that reason either.
The power of networking comes, in part, from having at your disposal a large group of people from whom you can draw if you need to.
It's impossible for anyone to know what every need will ever be.
But, when that need arises, it's a bit late to start thinking about connecting with others.
3.
They don't know me.
I kid you not.
This is one reason why your invitation are turned down.
Yet, how foolish to do so.
How do you get to know someone if you don't connect with him or her.
And I'll tell you something else.
Even if I haven't met your personally, or corresponded with you, if I need some advice, or even some help for which I'm willing to pay, the first place I'll look is in my networks.
If you're not there, you haven't a chance of ever hearing from me.
And for some of the dumbest reasons, too.
Have you ever wondered why some people have declined to connect with you? And are you guilty of the same reasons? Here are three of the worst reasons why your invitations are turned down.
I hope that none of them apply to you.
1.
They don't want any competitors in their network.
This one is rather crazy.
There are hundreds of social networks online and millions of people in them.
How many of them are you really competing with.
Probably very few.
Only those who are uninterested in collaboration will decline to connect with those in their own industry.
For myself, I'm happy to connect with anyone that might be a competitor.
There seems to be a remarkable cameraderie among professionals; and that enables us to learn from one another.
Why erect artificial barriers that keep us from doing so? In any business, accidents happen.
People get sick.
For one reason or another, we're not always able to be there for our customers.
Networking lays the foundation for a relationship that can enable the kind of cooperation you may need someday.
2.
They don't see a need for what you offer.
I've had people tell me this.
It's also crazy.
I'm not asking you to join me because I need your services, and I don't expect you to ask me to join your for that reason either.
The power of networking comes, in part, from having at your disposal a large group of people from whom you can draw if you need to.
It's impossible for anyone to know what every need will ever be.
But, when that need arises, it's a bit late to start thinking about connecting with others.
3.
They don't know me.
I kid you not.
This is one reason why your invitation are turned down.
Yet, how foolish to do so.
How do you get to know someone if you don't connect with him or her.
And I'll tell you something else.
Even if I haven't met your personally, or corresponded with you, if I need some advice, or even some help for which I'm willing to pay, the first place I'll look is in my networks.
If you're not there, you haven't a chance of ever hearing from me.