One of the many benefits of being active on social media is that you can use it to connect people who could benefit from knowing each other. These could be potential referral partners, potential providers or clients, and much more.

When you make these kinds of introductions, the people you help will truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Plus, it helps you stay “top of mind” when they meet people who might need your services.

Businessman introducing colleagues in the office

 

However, when using a social site (rather than an email or phone call) to make such introductions, you need to know that the people you are connecting both actually use that site.

 

Use LinkedIn to Introduce People

  • Use the “Share a Profile” option, which is found as one of the drop down options when you click on the arrow to the right of “Send a Message.”
  • Simply go to the profile of one of the people you want to introduce and click on this option. It will take you to your inbox.
  • Then type in the name of the LinkedIn connection you want to send this profile to and ask them if they want to be introduced.
  • Or type in the name of the person whose profile you are sharing so that both receive the message from you. This allows them each to reply to your message and automatically reach both you and the person to whom you are introducing them.
  • Another option is to do an introduction via regular email and include in the text of the email you the URLs for their respective LinkedIn profiles. I find this is a good way for the people I am introducing to find out more about each other prior to communicating directly via phone or email.

 

Use Facebook to Introduce People

  • Use the Facebook messaging system to write to the two people you are introducing. This is an easy way to connect people with whom you are Facebook friends.
  • This is one reason it may be wise to accept Facebook friend requests from your business acquaintances – so you can introduce them to other people with whom you are connected on Facebook.
  • Now each of the individuals being introduced can write a short message to start their communication directly with each other.
  • Another way to use Facebook is to include the URL for each person’s Facebook business page in the text of a standard email introduction. This way, prior to communicating directly, they can each research the other person.

 

How About You?

How do you like to introduce business people to folks they may find beneficial? Do you primarily use email and/or the phone? Have you used social media to make these introductions? Please share what approaches work well for you.

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel, Founder of Boomers' Social Media Tutor

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, business development professionals, leaders of nonprofit organizations, job seekers, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.