THANK YOU 14K FOLLOWERS!!!

Today I reached the '14000 connection' mark on LinkedIn. I know this is not because of my charm or charisma. These numbers are the byproducts of two things Being Consistent & Value Addition

May be I want to celebrate this 'milestone' at a broader level as it involves this huge network of 14000 people I have connected with over these years. I have not met most of these 14000 people. Yet it feels great to know I have a 'directory' of 14000 people I can reach out to if I need to.

There’s a saying that in business, it’s not about what you know as much as it is about who you know.

I can read stories these 14000 people share on LinkedIn. I am inspired by their stories of determination and persistence. I read about stuff I would have never come across if someone from my network hadn't shared it. I am able to understand industry trends with many of my connections sharing articles about what is new and what is changing in their professional world. I can read tips on how to be better at my job from people who are in my field and in my industry. 

LinkedIn is the world’s largest social network for working professionals. LinkedIn’s term for friends/followers — is actually to your benefit. (However, be careful about over-friending — you’re limited to only 30,000 connections on LinkedIn.) So what’s the point of all this? In short, the more connections you have, the more exposure.

There are number of benefits of having a large number of LinkedIn connections (over 10000). Consider how easy this online platform is to network.

Here are 10 reasons to consider having a stronger network on LinkedIn.

• LinkedIn helps in connecting, interacting with similar roles & skillset
• LinkedIn widens your professional network.
• LinkedIn opens new job opportunities
• LinkedIn has a greater variety of technical, motivational business related content.
• LinkedIn brings more visibility to your accomplishments.
• LinkedIn helps in getting higher visibility to Your profile .
• LinkedIn helps to get more endorsements.
• Having more connections looks good to recruiters and hiring managers.
• Your work reaches a larger audience off LinkedIn.
• You never fall out of touch with anybody.

Doesn’t this sound like the kind of networking that most professionals might prefer to be involved in?

LinkedIn is also unique in that it will show you whether another user is your first-tier connection, second-tier connection, or third-tier connection. First-tier connections are the people you are actually friends with. Second-tier connections are people you’re not directly connected with, but you do have connections in common. In the case of third-tier connections, your second-tier connections overlap with that person’s second-tier connections.

It’s worth the little extra time it takes to build your connections. It seems logical that a larger LinkedIn network improves your chances of success. Of course, some may argue the benefits of a small, close-knit, strategic network, but that’s really not what LinkedIn is about. Of course, quality beats quantity. But quality and quantity together means a larger network of strategic alliances, fellow professionals, potential clients and business opportunities.

So thank you my 14000 connections. Thanks for connecting with me and being a part of my milestone. And thanks for making me a part of your professional journey. Thanks for enriching the 'net worth' of my LinkedIn connections!