How to connect with success on LinkedIn

1. Hi I’m Tom Church. I’m 23 years old, I run my own business.

2. I love what I do.

3. But, it wasn’t always plain sailing

4. Not to long ago, I was lost…

5. It’s thanks to some inspirational people that I found my direction

6. I’d love to share my story with you. Show you how to harness the power in people

7. Let’s go back to the start. I was in my final year of university

8. Like most, I panicked about what to do in life…

9. “You can do anything,” they said. “The world is yours,” they said. That should be awesome.

10. Truth is, I found it overwhelming

11. I didn’t know where to start

12. All I knew was I wanted to work for a small company…where I could make a big impact.

13. So I did some thinking….and then I did a little more thinking…

14. I had an idea

15. Instead of going to meet companies one by one, which would take ages

16. I would convince them to come and meet me

17. Muhahahahah super villain I am not

18. I would create a networking event for London start-ups I could learn from them all at once

19. So I started calling and sending emails… If people were interested they got back in touch.

20. I set a date. London start-ups was born.

21. When the time came…Nobody turned up. I was gutted.

22. I must have been doing something wrong? So I changed tactics, switched to LinkedIn

23. I began researching start-ups that looked interesting.

24. If they passed the test…I’d invite them to meet over LinkedIn

25. It was amazing to see the difference between: making direct contact…and using LinkedIn

26. People found calls and emails too spammy It put them on the spot

27. On LinkedIn, people were much more willing to hear what I had to say.

28. They could check you out first, see if you’re legitimate

29. If we shared a connection it made all the difference… Oh, he knows Emily, I can trust him.

30. Anyway next time around ten people came

31. …each time after that it grew and grew

32. Suddenly, I was talking with loads of start-ups… Surrounded by all these inspiring people

33. It was great to take a peek into the world of all these industries

34. I managed to get a role at a more established company. I spent a fantastic few years gaining experience.

35. Once I’d honed my skills, I was ready to return to the world of start-ups

36. With such a big network, there was always a sense That an opportunity could come from anywhere

37. Through one of my events, I was introduced to a design studio in Milan called FullScream

38. Who were doing cool stuff like this…

39. I connected with FullScream’s Creative Director Ced on LinkedIn

40. FullScream wanted to expand their business to London I Convinced them I was up to the challenge and they gave me the job!

41. I was a one-man team running my own company I realised that all the contacts I’d made at all the groups were now potential clients My whole network was in one place

42. On top of that, LinkedIn meant I was constantly meeting new designers. Sharing work and setting a benchmark for what FullScream did

43. It was a great way to stay on top of my game

44. FullScream started to pick up interest. Small stuff but just what you need as a start-up

45. We won some work for a major broadcaster…

46. With this we could grow our team

47. We’re currently making a fashion video in Milan with some of the world’s top designers

48. We even got a full-page interview with a leading motion design magazine …through LinkedIn

49. It’s helped with almost every aspect of the business.

50. The meet-ups are still a huge part of my life. It’s been amazing to see that grow alongside the business.