I have been reviewing books on Amazon for years and when I went to explore this new book by an author whose poetry book I am supporting, I found that I could write a review, post the review and then virally (or so I hope) spread the review immediately! This is BIG and I wanted to share it with you.

For any of you who have books you loved to read then here is a great way to support your favorite authors!

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Out of all the questions I get asked around LinkedIn by far the number one question is, “What do I say to someone I don’t know to invite them into my network.” Following are a couple of examples you can use. Feel free to change them so they compliment your own personal style. Note that they are just a starting point but I find it is much better to work off of something than to try to create something from a blank page or screen.

The third sample is a script you can use if you choose to start a group on LinkedIn . . . also the subject of a future blog entry and something I highly recommend (starting your own group). But, for now, I hope you benefit from the following and let us  know your thoughts on good scripts. What has worked for you or your colleagues?

Example 1: Sample Invite Script for LinkedIn

Dear _________,

I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was very impressed with the work you do. I have been working in (IT, marketing, operations, etc.)

and at this time I am in a  job search mode. As such I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk  with you for 10 minutes or so to explore your insight

as to a potential job in (IT, marketing, operations, etc at your organization or perhaps in other organizations where you have LinkedIn connections.

I also am networking daily and meeting people who might be a strong addition to your network. I would be happy to make introductions and offer support

to you in any way I can. Let me know when might be a convenient time to call for a quick chat.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Example 2: Sample Invite Script to Invite Someone Into Your Network

Dear _________,

I would like to invite you to join my LinkedIn network. I am building a vibrant network  and am very happy to help you in any way I can. I

would appreciate it, though, if you choose not to accept my invitation that you click on “Archive” instead of “I Don’t Know.”

Thanks for your time and I look forward to connecting with you.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Example 3: LinkedIn Script to Send to Someone When They Join Your Group

Dear _________,

Thank you for joining the Driving Distribution Sales Beyond LinkedIn Group. I really value your participation and welcome you to join in on the current

conversations as well as offer new ones. Please also feel free to contact me at dirk@4thgenerationsystems.com with any questions or suggestions you

might have for making this group the best group you have joined on LinkedIn or any other online community (I hope!) Finally, please share this with others

who would benefit from the discussions and connections offered in the group. I look forward to your participation.

Best Regards,

Your Name

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The reason I decided to write this book is because I wanted to experience what it would “feel” like to have a lot of money and be able to, as many really wish they could, make a HUGE difference in the world. What I find out, to my surprise in writing this book, is that it takes a lot of thought as to how to spend that much money. In fact, I have told a lot of people–friends and strangers, about the book and they have weighed in with all kinds of suggestions as to how the money should be spent.

Go through this elaborate exercise has helped me see, surprisingly, that it is not as simple as it seems to spend such a large amount of money. I mean, after all, when you are challenged to have the money stretch further and help more than anyone else could do with it, you have to think very strategically. As a result this book has taken much longer than most of my books, but that doesn’t bother me. I am not after the accomplishment of finishing the book but, rather, immersing myself in a long, drawn out, thoughtful journey through strategic philanthropy. Just like the experience of reading a good book, I want to savor the writing part of this endeavor.

My second book, which I won’t spend as much time today with, is actually the beginning of a series of books I will be writing called “Miss Stories” with the first book titled, Miss Understood and the Case of the Missing Angel. I even started a blog a couple of years ago that has sat dormant for too long call www.missstories.com.

But what are your things that you have yet to do? If you want you can share them with me by email (melissa@networlding.com) or you can share them with the world in the comments, below. No matter, what, start NOW. Don’t wait. As Seth Godin has been saying in his recent blog posts, “ship something.” What are you going to ship this next week? How about this next month, next year?

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I am very happy to have been part of the Advisory Board for Social Media Week. I know there will be hundreds if not thousands in our city of Chicago who will benefit for years to come by the events that on this week. My event on “The New Rules of Publishing” has filled up with standing room only now with over 120 people coming. Following is an overview of the some of the great happenings this week. Enjoy!

CHICAGO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL ANNOUNCES THAT CHICAGO IS FIRST CITY IN THE WORLD WITH A CITY FOURSQUARE BADGE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE CITY AS A HOST FORSOCIAL MEDIA WEEK

Register Now for Events Sept. 19-23; Special Edition Chicago Visitor’s Guide Available

As Social Media Week Chicago prepares to kick-off on Monday, September 19, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that Chicago is the first in the world with a city foursquare badge as he highlighted Chicago as a host city for the international Social Media Week event.

Social Media Week Chicago events are free and open to the public, but registration is required and filling up quickly. With more than 80 events scheduled throughout the week, don’t miss out on some of Social Media Week Chicago’s best in keynotes, panelists and speakers by registering for your favorite sessions today. Visit www.socialmediaweek.org/chicago and choose the “LOGIN/REGISTER” tab for registration details. Highlights of some of the week’s events include:

* Perspectives from the Social CEO: Join CEOs from Viewpoints, Where I’ve Been, and the Echo System as they discuss current trends in social influence and social engagement.

* Chip Buffet: Blogger Networking Sponsored by Frito-Lay: Sample Frito-Lay Chips as you mingle with other attendees and blogger panelists from “1001 Tricks to Becoming a Great Blogger.”

* The Art of Advocacy and the Danger of Detraction: Join a panel of leading experts in the field of influence and learn from their best practices for cultivating brand advocacy and navigating the dangers of detraction.

“Chicago has never been the Second City when it comes to social media, and this lineup of extraordinary events reflects that,” said Paul Rand, CEO of Zócalo Group. “Event attendees will be amazed to see how many valuable perspectives and experts are in their own backyard-and are being offered free of charge.”

A special-edition Chicago Visitor’s Guide is also available on the Social Media Week Chicago Blog<http://socialmediaweek.org/chicago/2011/09/16/chicago-magazine-sp ecial-edition-visitors-guide-for-social-media-week/>, highlighting the Social Media Week Chicago agenda and the city’s best for food, drink and entertainment. The Chicago Visitor’s Guide was produced by Chicago Magazine.

Along with Social Media Week activities in Chicago, simultaneous events will take place in Beirut, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Glasgow, Los Angeles, Milan, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Vancouver.

You can join the Social Media Week Chicago conversation by following @SMWChicago<www.twitter.com/smwchicago> on Twitter and connect with us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/#!/SMWChicago> or LinkedIn<http://events.linkedin.com/Social-Media-Week-Chicago/pub/7087 52> for real-time updates and to help promote the event across your own social networks. A variety of events will also be livestreamed and can be followed by visiting www.livestream.com/socialmediaweek.

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORS

About Zócalo Group

Zócalo Group is a full-service word-of-mouth and social media marketing agency, helping leading consumer and business to business brands become the most talked about and recommended in their category. Based in Chicago, Zócalo Group has received numerous industry awards for brand programs and measurement initiatives. Zócalo Group is a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and Ketchum. For more information, please visit www.zocalogroup.com.

About the Chicago Tribune

For 164 years, the Chicago Tribune has been a market-leading publication of the Tribune Company. Reaching five million readers each week in print, online and through radio, television and live events, the Tribune is known for its public service journalism and watchdog reporting. In 2010, the Tribune launched Trib Nation, a community outreach and audience engagement program that includes a broad menu of live events such as Chicago Forward: Conversations About the Future, a series of public policy discussions; programs by columnists and other journalists; literary events including Author Talks, Lit Fest, and Literary Awards; and classes and seminars under the banner TribU: Lessons for Life.

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I was saying, I was looking through my groups and checked out a discussion going on around the 10 most creative people of 2010.

Here is my response to this discussion. What’s yours?

The best networkers never sit on their contacts like misers hoarding gold. Instead, they are constantly evaluating who they know who would benefit by being connected to others in their network.

Your network can now net many more opportunities because of online networks like LinkedIn and others. Therefore, take time to build more effective processes into your networking for introducing and getting introduced.

Here, we’ll focus on getting introduced. Don’t be afraid that you don’t have anything to offer today. You don’t need to:

• have an in-depth knowledge of another’s industry.
• have any current leads or referrals to give.
• feel as though you’re pushy.

Today, the introduction is the new referral. You do not have to be referred to carry additional influence or klout with a solid introduction. A simple process I suggest is to create an “introduction script” to have someone introduce you to one or two good connections they know and then you do the same for them.

For example, if I ask someone to introduce me, I send them the following script. I would like you to meet Melissa. Melissa is the author of thirteen books, four that have been on best-seller lists. Her greatest strength is helping thought leaders grow themselves and their organizations through publishing and follow-up social media marketing, pr and speaking. She and her firm, Networlding, have helped more than 100 top thought leaders grow their platforms through book publishing.

Now I would do the same for you. I would offer you to share a script I can send others about you to get them interested in connecting with you. Send that script to your networking partners and ask them to send one of their own to do the same for them.

Again, create a pre-written introduction of you, by you, as if someone else wrote it about you. This way your networking partners and you can “cut and paste” your respective introductions into your emails and send them to  a couple of excellent connections without a lot of effort. Think simple and powerful when it comes to creating better ways to get more and better leads faster.

STEP NUMBER 1:

Create Your Values Foundation.

We all have values, but what are your top four and, if you can, what are they in level of priority?

Carol had been what we call in Networlding “baseline networking” for years. She was at the top of her game working as Director of HR for a large organization. However, the long hours and an intense travel schedule left Carol feeling that her personal life lacked balance. From layoffs and career changes to being sought out for competitive executive positions, Carol had been through all of the ups and downs of corporate life.

As she began thinking about what she wanted her future to look like she thought more about her childhood dream of being a physiologist. Carol appreciated valued-based business and aspired to start an individual psychology practice of her own.

With these goals in mind Carol took the first step in Networlding and identified her top four values:

• Spirituality
• Connection
• Making a difference
• Achievement

With these values in mind, Carol decided to leave her six-figure salary and return to graduate school. By understanding her values Carol will not lose sight of them through her process. With her values in mind she is more apt to meet others with similar values and build a network of people around her that will help maintain these values. She will also vocalize her values more often and make requests to be introduced to people who hold similar and complimentary values.

Following is an overview of these tools:

Website Grader – Useful tool for measuring the marketing effectiveness of your
website, get a free custom report in seconds with advice for your website

MarketingProfs – A great resource for case studies, insights, and best practices from
peers and experts in marketing

HubSpot Internet Marketing Blog – Articles about business strategy and inbound Internet
marketing

Web ink now – Online thought leadership and viral marketing strategies from award-
winning author David Meerman Scott

HubSpot – Internet marketing software that helps you get found by more prospects and
generate more qualified leads and sales

CrowdSpring – A site offering custom designs that you choose from actual custom designs, not bids. The average project gets
a whopping 80 entries. They have a money back guarantee
25 entries or a full refund, including the small fee for the services. The site boast over 46,000 creatives.

Zmags – The next generation in online publishing. The site is great. Take a look at my ZMag! For more information, view the zmags blog.

What do you think? What are your top ten or fewer favorites of the year?

I. Chapter One – November 11, 2011.  Reminiscing about our beginning days in the Innovation Center that opened the year before on October 10, 2010…  What did we set out to accomplish?  What were our motivations?  What resistance did we encounter?  Who encouraged us?  What people were instrumental to our early success?  What role did networlding play? What was it about the Innovation Center concept that truly caught people’s interest and passion?  How did we leverage outside ideas and our blogosphere community to help enhance our vision and accelerate our progress?

II. Chapter Two – A day in the life of the center as it is “today” (11-11-11) – The user experience.  What are the key differentiating attributes of the user experience?  How are people using the Center?  What value are they generating/receiving?  What makes the Center so successful?  How has this changed over the last year?

III. Chapter Three – Opening Day October 10, 2010.  What did the beginning structure look like the day it opened?  Did we have all 30 kiosks in there?  What was our business and revenue model?  What initial mistakes did we make? What fortuitous events helped make it happen?  What was the initial public reaction?  What near-disasters did we finesse?

IV. Chapter Four – The first week.  What happened during that first week of the center being opened?  What did we learn?  What did we commit to fix?  How did it change our assumptions or operating models?  What would we have done differently from the beginning of only we’d known…

V. Chapter Five – The early months.  What happened within the first 90 days?  What were our first 3 major initiatives?  How were they germinated?   how did we get them to the stage of moving to engagement with design engineers from a couple of the companies in the center (check out www.inventright.com or www.edisonnation.com for examples of companies).  Who were our first corporate sponsors?  What made them decide to participate?

VI. Chapter Six – Crisis!  What unexpected event happened ~ 4-6 months later that nearly caused the Center to collapse?  (A little dramatic effect that occurs in every good story…)  How did we rescue it?  What help did we get from an entirely unexpected source?  What sacrifices were we forced to make that turned out to pay huge dividends later?  What seemingly unrelated sub-plot first mentioned in the prologue and carried along at a low level of intensity in Chapters I-V suddenly emerges as an unexpected, vital component of our success?

VII. Chapter Seven – The Center – 2nd Generation.  How did the Center emerge better, stronger and with more innovative impact as a result of the events in Chapter Five?  How did we know that the Center was now completely out of danger and would be an extraordinary success?

VIII. Chapter Eight – Events in the Center.  What kinds of things went on during that first year – especially those that could only have taken place in the unique environment of the Center?

IX. Chapter Nine – Impact of the Center.  What tangible, measurable results has the Center produced in its first year?  What additional kinds of activities are there underway that will yield even greater impacts an dividends.  Where did we create unexpected value?  What didn’t we expect that happened?

X. Chapter Ten – What’s Next?  Having spent the first nine chapters in reflection mode, now we pivot and look to the future.  Sister Centers are now in various stages of opening in San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, London, Prague and Milan.  Interest has been expressed from unexpected sources – DARPA, DOE and other leading-edge US government agencies want to develop a similar concept to help drive early-stage innovation on government projects.  NASA wants to build a Center dedicated to establishing a manned base on Mars.  The World Bank and Gates Foundation want to fund the establishment of local Innovation Centers across Africa to help foster self-help solutions to the daunting problems of Aids, energy, food and tribal feuding — from the same people that these challenges affect the most.

———————————————————–
So, beginning with Chapter One, what ten companies do you think should be part of the center?  Would you choose any of the companies from this list of the twenty-five most innovative companies identified most recently by Business Week? Who would be your ten and why? Please comment and get your colleagues to comment. We’ll let the majority rule and off we go! Check out Business Week’s 50 Most Innovative Company list for 2009 to help with your choices.

Fortune 500 Series: FedEx delivers success through social media …
By Jennifer Leggio

Blogger, Jennifer Leggio showcases The FedEx Citizenship blog that provides insights from their employees into FedEx global citizenship programs and the The FedEx Cares Week blog is an internal blog that chronicles the annual global philanthropy event by having team members share their stories about the community service projects. …

Hill and Knowlton’s New Blogging Code of Conduct

Hill and Knowlton publish their blogging “Code of Conduct.” This is a nice model for other organizations to use.

The Top Six Reasons Companies are Still Scared of Social Media

This article showcases the reasons why companies are afraid of social media. Whereas they are typical reasons that make sense, the article is good at aggregating the most common reasons. The hurdles for companies are getting lowered by organizations like SAS who take on the risk, trusting and encouraging their employees to blog and prove that it is still better to be “out there” than to hide behind corporate walls.

My Take

I spoke with a couple of social media experts this week and found that, once again, myopia is still alive, well and living in peoples’ minds still. By this I mean that many see social networking as their ticket to great success. They think that because there are so are confused how to make social networking work that there is a huge market out there and that they can just put a shingle out that states they are social media experts overnight. Recently someone shared they had a construction worker friend who is now teaching LinkedIn.

I’ve been teaching people social networking for more than a decade and up until last year many still didn’t understand the basics of business networking. Now there are five times the number of experts on the subject than there were even three months ago. What a strange time this is! It will be interesting to see how all this shakes out in the next couple of years. I remember when I use to hold networking events and there was an over abundance of bankers; then came the plethora of coaches. Now everyone is a social networking and new media expert. Hmmmmm.