The time I took LinkedIn out for a beer

The other day, at the end of the workday, I noticed that LinkedIn was moping around a little bit. Honestly, I’ve been a little worried about him.  He just seems kinda down. So, in the spirit of a little pick-me-up, I invited him out to happy hour.  Lift his spirits, you know?

Susie: Hey LI, how about we go grab a beer together?  What do ya say?

LI: I don’t know. I’m not in the best mood really.

Susie: Well, you seem out of sorts. Not quite yourself. What’s up?

LI: Ok fine. Here’s my problem. People think I’m LAME.

*Oh boy.  That’s the problem.  LI is having a bit of an identity crisis.  Poor fella.  I can see why, I mean, with all the competition of FB, IG, TikTok, it’s a jungle out there.  And, being the ‘business guy’, he’s always been viewed as kinda stuffy.  Not fun and cool and young. I’ve even heard people say that LI doesn’t work for them. I bet he’s heard it too. That explains it.  This might be tough……..

Susie: Come on, let’s go talk this out bud.

We headed to the tavern and got a couple of Spotted Cows. As we waited for our cheese curds, I opened up the conversation.

Susie: Ok, tell me what’s really going on here friend.

LI: Well sigh everyone thinks I’m lame, Susie! Like, I’m not fun and cool and young. I’m ‘all business all the time’, and it’s just not fair!  I work really hard, and I have been around a long time! I connect people like crazy! Way more than the other ‘cool’ platforms like FB, IG and Tik Tok!  But, I guess if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em right? So, I’ve decided to be like them. I’ll just go for it, and everyone will think I’m cool. It’s gotta work.

Susie: Oooh. I see. So, you think that people would rather go with FB, or IG or Tik Tok instead of you? Is that the issue? Is that why you are wearing leather pants?  To be cool again?

LI:  YES! Duh. I am SO tired of hearing that I don’t work for people!  They don’t even try sometimes, and then they blame me!  And these leather pants were on sale anyways.  But yes, that’s the idea.

Susie: Listen, LI. I know you are amazing and helpful and a hard worker.  I really do.  But sometimes small business owners are busy, you know? They want to get online and post about their businesses, share information and make connections, but the days go so fast. And, you are fun - think about all the events you share for people! SO many cool things, all over the country!  It’s just a matter of making sure that people KNOW how valuable you are.

LI: You do get me, Susie. I appreciate that. I know that YOUR clients can really leverage me when they work with you and that’s so refreshing. Knowing that you will help them make the connections and really USE my features to locate their ideal clients, find events, message each other to create partnerships really warms my heart.  Maybe you’re right.  Maybe I shouldn’t try to be something I’m not.  I AM good enough!  In fact, I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!

Susie: That’s right LI!  We just have to make sure that people know great ways to work with you, and when they work with us, they get that.  We love you LI.  We’ll always be in your corner!

As we clinked our nearly empty bottles together, we looked across the booth at each other and smiled. There’s no reason to change LinkedIn. When you know how to use his gifts, they really work for you.  And, at Susie Moon Consulting, we are big fans of all that he can do.

The bar lights started coming up, and as we swayed and sang along to Piano Man while we waited for our Uber, a couple of things came to my mind:

• Small business owners are busy, and if making connections on LinkedIn is just one more task on their plate, they won’t do it.  But unanswered connection requests can be money left on the table, and we can’t have that. Creating the relationships now that will move your business forward later are worth the effort. I promise.

• If everyone realized what a strong platform this can be to share events and messages, they’d understand the importance of making sure that they nurture this platform. Your ideal clients can find you, and begin to know, like and trust you when we do this right. Small, consistent effort can’t be overlooked. They add up, and that’s what’s important.

• Leather pants cannot be returned after they’ve been worn. He’s going to be stuck with those. And, he can really put back the Spotted Cows.

To find out more about our Adventures with LinkedIn and how we can help you use this to your advantage, book a call with me here. 

And try not to hurt LinkedIn’s feelings anymore by saying he doesn’t work for you. I can’t afford more of these happy hours, and he can’t afford more leather pants.