So why would you want to take the time to answer questions on LinkedIn Answers?

Now I’m not bragging, and I doubt I’ll be able to keep that up. But I do it to illustrate that providing good, thoughtful answers that help people get their job done is a fantastic way to network — in fact, it’s the way to network. Helping people actually accomplish something is far better at building relationships than small talk is.

It also, as you can see, creates additional visibility for you — not just visibility, but visibility in the context of being both knowledgeable and helpful. In The Virtual Handshake terminology, it helps you build Numbers and Strength with Relevant people while demonstrating your Character and Competence and giving them easy access to your Information. If you have a relationship-building activity that hits six out of the seven keys to a powerful network, that’s worth spending your time on.

Author: Scott Allen  (299 Posts)

Scott Allen is a social media pioneer, helping people turn virtual relationships into real business since 2002. He is coauthor of The Virtual Handshake and The Emergence of The Relationship Economy and contributor to over a dozen books on social media, business and personal development.