By 
In consulting with businesses on their social media strategy, I often use success stories from LinkedIn’s own blog to illustrate how business can be developed on LinkedIn. I also talk about my own success story, which is included in full detail in my new LinkedIn marketing book, and summarized as follows:
As my job involves staying abreast of the latest discussions and news concerning social media, I am a member of a number of LinkedIn Groups that relate to the topic. I learn a lot from these groups, develop relationships with new people, and engage in discussions where appropriate as well. In order to keep up with all of the updates, I sign up for daily or weekly digests from my favorite groups to keep better track of the discussions.
One day I noticed that there was one discussion on one group that was gathering a lot of comments. When I navigated from the Weekly Digest email to the group’s website page, I noticed the last comment was from someone who asked, “Prove to me the ROI of social media.” I was intrigued by the comment and went to visit this person’s profile.I was surprised to find 1) this professional lived in the same Orange County that I did and 2) he was already connected to my brother, who is in the wine industry, as apparently he is also involved in event marketing where he hosts wine-tasting events.
I decided to reply privately saying that, since we live close by, I would love to meet him and I would be more than happy to explain to him the ROI of social media over a cup of coffee. I also mentioned the relationship with my brother to improve my chances at establishing rapport. I shortly thereafter received a reply that he was actually a marketing consultant and one of his clients was looking for someone with social media expertise. He introduced me to his client and one week later the deal was closed. Shortly thereafter he introduced me to another opportunity which also resulted in new business.
LinkedIn Groups are one of the most powerful ways to learn, discuss and network – and even potentially develop business. If you are a member of groups where professionals are discussing business problems that you have answers to, I am confident that you too can develop business. I include more than 15 similar case studies in my new book to prove to you that business is being developed every day on LinkedIn.
Now it’s time for you to share your LinkedIn success story and allow it to become a case study for the world to learn from. Whether it’s been developing new business, a lead, a networking opportunity, or even a job, what success story do you have to share with us? The 5 best success stories shared by commenting on this blog post before Tuesday, September 6 will be chosen to win a free copy of Maximizing LinkedIn for Sales and Social Media Marketing as well as potential inclusion into my future books!
What are you waiting for?
Chase Sherman
Although mine is a “story in progress,” I thought it’d be worth sharing…
I recently wrote an eBook for Social Media Managers. At the beginning of the book, I included my personal story to build connection with readers. I sent the ebook off to everyone in my LinkedIn group (I’m the owner), along with others in my network.
I recently got an email from a reader who’s insisted we sit down and talk as my personal philosophy and ways of thinking about business were directly in line with his.
We both agreed that it would be beneficial to think of ways we can serve each other’s business interests and I’m confident some long term opportunities will come out of the relationship.
nealschaffer
Thanks Chase! A classic story of how connecting online leads to mutually beneficial business relationships offline.
Marc Zazeela
As AT&T used to say, “reach out and touch someone”. Somebody has to make the first move in order for the network marketing to be effective. Great ideas, Neal. Thank you for pointing out what has been staring me right in the face all along!
Marc
nealschaffer
Thank YOU for your comment Marc!
Logan Weiler III
Great story! That valuable face-to-face connection solidified the deal.
nealschaffer
Indeed – and it happens all the time on LinkedIn!
Joel Don
There’s no doubt about it, pay it forward works. Add in a dash of outreach and ROI is inevitable.
nealschaffer
Thanks Joel
Greg Johnson
Neal,
Great information on the power of LinkedIn groups. While I have not harnessed this tool as much as I should have so far, the little bit that I have done so has also helped me in developing business.
nealschaffer
Thanks Greg!
Anonymous
@Neal, this is a brilliant mention of how to REALLY use LinkedIn – turning digital meetings into analog relationships. I find that many people put the “me” in social media instead of focusing on the “social” aspect. You made an intuitive leap into the fray, and from there acted as a professional in a personal capacity, leveraging information to secure business.
Personally, as a Career Development person, my success stories are a bit different – I have been able to help several hundred people create new lives in Canada – FOR FREE – with the power of LinkedIn. New Canadians are many times left out of the networking loop, and this is a tool they can network with and offer value without an “accent” in their speech, showcasing their expertise and knowledge, seeking to only add value and begin conversations which generally results in opportunities that matter to them.
Further, I have personally assisted three people in the last year – two women, one man – from across the world in India to begin new lives in Canada using LinkedIn as they reached out to me as an open networker. I was able to set them up with other free community services that assisted them in settling in a new country – using the power of LinkedIn and Social Media.
I am currently engaged to speak at an International conference in Canada in February next year and the highlights of my speech will be how to use Social Media in the vein of career development. With hundreds of millions of North Americans out of work, this is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to gain information, create momentum professionally, gather information for specific decisions, and network into a new sector. I have other clients that can say this is true as well, using my coaching strategies and techniques to gain network “juice” that they have leveraged into new careers.
nealschaffer
Thanks Chris – I couldn’t agree with you more!
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Anonymous
Yeah I got my new job from linkedin
nealschaffer
Amen Jitendra!
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