I was recently in OH for some client meetings and I took some time over lunch to connect with Travis Campbell – Marketing Professor http://www.marketingprofessor.com/. In an exclusive and impromptu interview with me, Katie Felten, I share 3 tips or strategies to keep you in front of your LinkedIn connections on a regular basis.
July, 2009
LinkedIn Tips and Ideas – Expert Interview with Katie Felten
Monday, July 20th, 2009Cedar Creek Winery – an MKE Live Partners Party
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009Dan and Katie of MKE Live put a private Thank You party together at Cedar Creek Winery in Cedarburg and invited partners that had helped along the way. There was a nice little group in attendance.
Cedar Creek is housed in a wonderful old building and Connie has been giving tours for nearly thirty years. You wouldn’t know it. She delivers a very fresh, interactive tour. I mentioned this to her and she said it all depends on the people in the tour. How very kind.
While much of the industry has gravitated to stainless steel vats, Cedar Creek Winery still uses oak barrels for some of their red wines.
We did get to see a couple large oak casks from the old days and were able to coax Joe Glass, of Wired Wisconsin, inside one of them to pretend he was cleaning them by hand. You go, Joe.
John and Shelly brought several kinds of cheese to compliment the wines we were tasting and many of us took some award-winning bottles home. How could you not leave without some Strawberry Blush?
It was a lovely time and well worth the drive. 
Guest Blogger: David White
MKE Live to Hold Networking Event “Poolside” at Brynwood Country Club
Monday, July 6th, 2009(MILWAUKEE, WI) MKE Live will give business professionals in Wisconsin a refreshing summer opportunity to “dip their toes” into LinkedIn.
On August 3rd, MKE Live will combine face-to-face and social networking with one of Summer’s most cherished traditions – the pool party – for “LinkedIn Live-Milwaukee at Brynwood Country Club.”
Since April, more than 1,000 people have attended MKE Live’s LinkedIn-Milwaukee events.
“I think people will really enjoy networking poolside at Brynwood Country Club,” said Katie Felten, managing partner and president of MKE Live. “It’s a chance to enjoy summer and meet new professionals within a very pleasant, relaxed setting.”
Those who attend will receive a coupon to play one round of golf (18 holes) on Brynwood’s private course for $25. (This is normally a $75 fee for this members-only country club).
Felten is featured in LinkedWorking: Generating Success On the World’s Largest Professional Networking Website. She is recognized throughout the state as a leading trainer in LinkedIn. She is frequently asked to speak to professional organizations about LinkedIn and social networking media, and has been quoted in media throughout the state.
“LinkedIn Live-Milwaukee at Brynwood Country Club” will be held on Monday, August 3 from 5:30-8:30. The cost is $10. Networkers are encouraged to pre-register at www.mkelive.com. Brynwood Country Club is located at 6200 W. Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223. For more information regarding Brynwood, please visit www.brynwoodcc.com.
For more information on MKE Live’s LinkedIn training and networking services, visit www.mkelive.com or call Katie Felten at (262) 227-0772.
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MKE Live (www.mkelive.com) provides LinkedIn training, networking and event services to companies, communities and chambers of commerce throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. MKE Live helps entrepreneurs and business leaders expand their professional networks and leverage their products and services through these larger professional networks.
Ugh… You know WHO?
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009You know those “ugh” moments? Those instances where you realize you’ve missed something really obvious? Like when you’re frantically looking for your keys only to realize that you’ve been holding them the entire time?
(Not that I know anything about that.)
I was laid off… and trying to re-launch a business (it’s a long story). I knew that finding the solution to both challenges necessitated reconnecting with a lot of people and seeing if they could connect me to some decision-makers. A quick review of my LinkedIn contacts showed that I was closer than I expected to meeting some of these new faces. At first I felt relieved and empowered!
This was quickly overcome with a short but intense bout of embarrassment and humiliation.
The connections had always been there – just keystrokes away – and through people I’ve known for a long time. I unintentionally dismissed how well-connected and important my personal contacts really were. I was guilty of a very naïve assumption – “If I don’t know someone important, you probably don’t either.”
For my contacts that may be reading this, I’m REALLY sorry.
When was the last time you blocked out an hour to do nothing but inventory whom your friends/associates have listed as their contacts on LinkedIn? This time could be as eye-opening an experience for you as it was for me. And, if nothing else, it will serve as a brainstorming session: (“That’s interesting. I never thought of connecting with someone from that company.”)
I don’t take it for granted any more. As soon as someone accepts an invitation to connect with me (or vice versa), the first thing I do is review their connections. There may be nothing but new ideas. Or there may be the need to prioritize the order of people I would like to be introduced to.
You just never know… but your connections might.
It was certainly a lesson worth learning. Of course, now I’m burdened with waiting for my next “ugh” moment to hit.
Now where the hell did I put my keys?
