A Networking Site Where People Are Afraid to Network?

[Jared Garfield]

I'm new to Bigger Pockets and so far absolutely love the site, it's so well laid out and everything has been thought of.  The wealth of knowledge from experienced investors that care to take time out of their busy schedules to give back is tremendous!  The podcasts are excellent, the tools are amazing, ebooks, investment calculators, the ability to network with other local investors doing what you do in your own local area, and even the ability to find a mentor easily.  We have had some great meet ups that have had 20-30 people come to have free training and network.  Already we are doing deals with friends we have made here!  For new investors this site is a goldmine!

Don't Die of Famine When There is  A Buffet In Front of You:

As a Pro Member, I found enough value that I thought it well worth buying the premium membership, having the ability to read people's profile and find out what they are looking for and exactly how you can help is a great thing for everyone.  Providing great advice through replies to posts and showcasing your knowledge through blogging builds credibility.  However, it's amazing to me when people will reply to your posts, thank you for great insights, inbox you questions, view your profile and then not accept a connection request?  I notice so many people who are actively on the site, there are 470,000 or more people who have accounts, and yet the number of people who have 3, 5 or only 9 connections is amazing to me.  It's like realizing there are stocked fish in the barrell and being hungry and saying, "Nah, I don't want to take a shot, I'll just stay hungry!"  

You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don't Take

It's not as if this is a dating site, lol!  This isn't Facebook where you are sharing pictures of your kids and you might not want the general public to know everything in your personal life.  The rules for engagement have been clearly stated, and anyone who spams  you loses their messaging privileges. If people are trying to unabashedly market to you, and are abusing the site, certainly having a way to stop it is great!  However, if you are here for free because you are just getting started and can't afford the premium account yet, or if you are a Pro Member, why in the world would you not want to take every opportunity to connect and provide value to other people.  There are people here that can not only provide great advice to your every question, but  you can get multiple and differing opinions as well.  People say they are looking for mentorship, wholesale deals, flips, to network, to find meetups, etc, so when someone sends you a detailed connection request offering to help with what you stated in your profile, why would you stay at 3 connections and say, "Nah, but I'll gladly pepper your inbox with questions to make sure you are legit, and have you privately help me when I could be following your blogs and having you answer these questions for everyone?"  

 Here Is the Thing:

Having had mentors and people who helped me for free when I got started, I'm glad to help give back.  I'm amazed to get dozens of views in a day from people with no connections, no experience who look kick tires but don't make an effort to connect.  More amazing is when people pat you on the back and then don't ask for a connection or respond to yours?  

What are you scared of? Why are you not connecting?