Make it weird!

LinkedIn is arguably the Facebook of the professional world.

We find people’s posts interesting, and we shoot off a connection request.

Sometimes that request comes with a short message and sometimes it’s just a cold connection.

Sometimes it is a sales tactic, and nobody truly enjoys those.

“I just saw your post. I liked it. Do you like AI. I would love a few minutes of your time…”

No thank you!

I tried AI headshots once and they did me dirty, y’all!

Either way we find ourselves going down the rabbit hole of “who is this?” and “why do they want to connect with me”?

I personally love connections.

I love it when people throw caution to the wind and hit that button.

It’s like the “YOLO” of adulthood.

Here’s what I don’t truly like.

I don’t like it when someone adds you as a connection, interacts with you in that virtual platform, and then when you get to see them at a conference, they breeze right by you.

Hello?

I have had this happen on Facebook, but it’s a new level when you are out at a large conference and someone you speak with quite a bit on Linkedin walks right by without a single word.

I get that sometimes there are just too many people, and they don’t really see you, but…

It makes me want to check my deodorant.

Is my skirt tucked in my underwear?

Do I have lipstick on my teeth?

Oh no, is it a booger in my nose?

WHAT IS IT?!

I feel like I need to say out loud that if we are connected online, please stop me!

Please say hello!

Please make it extra weird.

I love that.

Truly.

I once had someone private message me after an event just to tell me that they saw me but were too embarrassed to come say hello.

Do it!

Come say hello!

You know what will happen?

I will say hello back.

I will more than likely tell you about something silly that just happened.

Maybe see if you want to walk with me to get my 30^th cup of caffeine.

Regardless, please say hello.

Trust me when I tell you that I want to connect, and a little-known secret out there is others do too.

I follow and admire so many folks online that I have yet to have the pleasure to meet in person.

In life we spend a lot of time worrying about what we look like to one another.

What if I sound silly?

What if I look stupid?

What if I all the sudden trip on the way over and land headfirst in their lap?

That escalated quickly…

I guess the worst would be having to ask yourself what if they were the coolest person, you NEVER met?

Hello.

I’m Nanci!

…and you are?