I've been using applications like LinkedIn for sometime now and it's become a sort of obsession of mine to learn to utilize it as best I can. I was first exposed when I was about sixteen (I started running a multi level marketing business called Adamas Universal) and experienced a refresher a few years ago (my second time in business, this time with Crown International) but lately it's become increasingly beneficial. As my life moved from business and sales to politics and philanthropy, I was able to surround myself with new and amazing people in their fields, which can only serve to benefit my own knowledge and experiences.
After thinking about this sort of “connected development” where everyone comes together to help develop the careers of others, I've boiled down why these sort of things have such a positive impact for peoples lives and jobs to three essential concepts.
1. Positive influence:
Speak with any businessman/woman or entrepreneur (or hippie) and you'll frequently hear them discuss their dislike of negative atmospheres. We're surrounded all day long by vulgarity and garbage on television, in music, and in life. For many people, this is no more prevalent than on social media. We've all been there - someone you're Facebook friends with, but not really friends with, fills your feed with stuff that doesn't interest you (read: garbage) and often times we don't realize how continued exposure affects us. It brings us down, man. With networking-based social media, there is no such negativity. It's simply people trying to build a better career and a better life for themselves… and others. Which is my next point.
2. Help me help you:
With networking-based social media I've found most people have the general understanding that when you connect with someone, you (although not required) are opening the door to a give and take relationship. You might find yourself willing to do someone a favor, perhaps someone you've never even met, with the understanding that they'll do one for you when you need it. The traditional way of collecting handfuls of business cards and waiting for the opportune time and capitalize on a connection is in recession and onward and upward with the digitalized versions, I say. These applications and websites are great ways to help others and to receive help in return. Both ways have everlasting benefits to you.
3.Unforeseen Exposure:
Last but certainly not least, the vastness of the number/type of connections you can make has only increased in “mind boggling-ness”. This aspect, in combination with the second point, has allowed me personally to use LinkedIn (my primary networking app) to connect with people like Steven Rice, of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations and Frances Holuba, of Politico. Doing so gives me the opportunity to put my own organization, The Billingsley Robinholt Foundation, into view of influential people whom I otherwise wouldn't have ever known.
The fact of the matter is that most people don't need these things. Many people are comfortable going through their lives with little to no advancement, they forget dreams and lessen goals, they never surround themselves with good people and are forever trapped by bad. But if you have similar accounts, learn to build your network and accomplish great things. And if you don't have one but would like one, research which are best for you and go for it. Either way, recognize the potential that these types of social media place at your fingertips.
