I'm Finding More Value in LinkedIn These Days
My friend, Ted Demopolous (@teddemop), recently wrote a blog post, Using LinkedIn for Business Correctly, about some tips he picked up from Jason Alba, (author of I’m on LinkedIn, Now What???) on how to use LinkedIn more effectively.
The WS Radio podcast, which features Jason (@jasonalba), is pretty good. If you’re not sure how to use LinkedIn for business purposes — or you’ve posted a profile and haven’t gone back to LinkedIn in a few months — I recommend you listen to the podcast.
I’ve been thinking about LinkedIn quite a bit these days given all the new functionality it has. For example, people with WordPress or TypePad blogs can incorporate their blogs into their profiles, as I’ve done.
You can also join or start a Group, making it easy to network with like-minded people, as well as post events. I also try to answer questions as time permits and often find myself referring other companies and consultants to people asking questions.
Suffice to say, if you think LinkedIn is a place to simply post a “resume” when you’re looking for a job, you would be wrong — which is why I find myself recommending to clients that they revamp their profiles and become more active in various Groups, ask for recommendations, and ensure their profiles link to their Website, Twitter page, or other info.
Due to increasing my participation on LinkedIn, I’m now getting more blog readers and newsletter subscribers, plus I’m meeting some pretty fabulous people.
How do you use LinkedIn? Are you a frequent visitor or do you think it’s too stuffy and prefer the more freewheeling Facebook atmosphere?
February 19th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I probably use LinkedIn more than any other resource besides my CRM software. Great for finding like-minded colleagues, like-minded prospects, and for learning about a prospect before I get in touch. For the B2B communications world I work in, LinkedIn beats Facebook by miles.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Michael,
I completely agree with you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about “party” photos — haha.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Dianna-
I’ve used LinkedIn off and on for two years. Recently creating my employers corporate profile and a group for employees, fans and alumni. The next move is to start adding news content to the mix.
For me Facebook is a personal thing with my profile and photo settings set as such. Not for business. LinkedIn is where I prefer to do business.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Rob, I agree with you. I like LinkedIn for business and feel uncomfortable mixing business and pleasure vis a vie Facebook.