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Growing your Business with LinkedIn
By Jamie | January 16, 2008
LinkedIn is a social network website aim primarily as a business networking tool. It can be used for recruiting staff, managing your business connections, making new ones, finding old ones and seeking business advice. Think of it as a traditional CV drag into the digital age. Since Facebook exploded onto the scene early in 2007, Linkedin has taken a back burner for me. So why have I decided to take another look?
This town isn’t is big enough for the both of us: Facebook and LinkedIn
I’ve realised that although Facebook does have some uses for business, there is room for two social networks. One for primarily for business and the other for personal life with a bit of crossover in between.
LinkedIn has signed up to Google’s OpenSocial. I think this has massive potential to rival Facebook in many different ways.
The LinkedIn has started opening its platform which was probably one of the biggest reasons why Facebook exploded last year. Its called LinkedIn Intelligent Application Platform.
I have another years worth of contacts, and I think to be successful with LinkedIn you need to reach a critical mass, invest time and get recommendations.
Need to educate the people you invite to LinkedIn. I’ve invited people to the social network, but not really explained what they need to do to get the most out of it. And in turn, they probably won’t contributed anything to your network.
Getting started with LinkedIn
Doing nothing with your LinkedIn account isn’t of any real benefit to anyone. So, follow these 8 simple steps to getting started.
1. Sign up!
2. Fill and complete your profile, as much as possible. Don’t forget to include your public profile.
3. Search for people that are already using the network.
4. Place a badge on your blog or website, or even on your email signature.
5. Invite people not using the network, this can be co-workers, friends, suppliers, business contacts and clients.
6. Send them this small list, so they expand their network. As I mentioned above, educate the people.
7. Install Outlook Toolbar so you can check to see if people are using LinkedIn, there are other tools for Mac, Linux and web browsers.
8. Recommend people’s business in your network and in turn ask for a recommendations back, this is key to LinkedIn.
All the advice you could ever need
Loads more advice about LinkedIn, Facebook and social networks for business.
LinkedIn Profile
Extreme make over of your LinkedIn profile explained using screen shots.
8 Things you can do to get work through LinkedIn
More in-depth advice on how to get the most out of LinkedIn for Freelancers.
20 Ways to use LinkedIn & How to get most out of LinkedIn
20 reasons why and how to get the most out of LinkedIn
LinkedIn and the future of Business Networks
Facebook verses LinkedIn for Business, including the advantages and dis-advantages of using LinkedIn as a business tool.
Twelve Ways to Use LinkedIn
More ways to use LinkedIn.
A better Business Social Network
More on LinkedIn’s development network
Smart ways to use LinkedIn
50 more links to LinkedIn related posts.
Making your LinkedIn Business Network Pay Dividends
You won’t make a dime on LinkedIn, unless you help others. LinkedIn isn’t just about making sales, their are indirect benefits too.
LinkedIn to Open Up - How It Can Take On Facebook
How with Google’s OpenSocial LinkedIn can take on Facebook. Although I personal feel there is room for two social networks in your life.
Your advice?
Do you use LinkedIn, have you gain business through the network? What are your recommendations for using LinkedIn?
Oh and if you wish to add me to your LinkedIn profile…
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieclague
Topics: Business, Social Networks, facebook |
Article Tags>> business networks | facebook | linkedin | Social Networks
January 16th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I do get the feeling that LinkedIn is more business oriented whilst Facebook and MySpace feel more social in nature.
Number 2 in your list - updating your profile - is vitally important as a number of these sites use ‘defaults’ that can give completely the wrong impression of you - in terms of age, gender, location, etc.
Jas.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Thanks for the run down. I didn’t really think much of LinkedIn until I heard it mentioned just a few days ago on the TWIT podcast, as well as your post today.
I knew what it was, just thought it was another social website; never saw it’s potential. Having read your post and most of the links you posted, I think I’m going to sign up and of course follow the 8 steps.
I especially liked “8 Things you can do to get work through LinkedIn” because I want to become a freelance photographer… There are tons of avenues to market myself, just found another one.
Thanks for another eye opener and good advice.
I’ll be sure to add you.. if that’s ok.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Jason - I recently found someone who I use to work with. She now runs her own company, so a possible contact for me.
Its interesting to see Facebook have rolled out Profile Cleaner, as someone quite rightly said, its becoming a nasty looking MySpace page.
Puraz - Glad you like the post. I fell out of favor with it last year, but decided to take another look at it after I attended a number of networking events. Good luck with becoming the freelance photographer.
Jamie
January 21st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Jamie - real good article and references.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Jamie,
Great post about the big benefits of LinkedIn. I have been using it for a couple of years, but it wasn’t until I really grasped the concept last year did it start to pay off. The only thing I would add to your post is: What you get out of linkedin is directly proportional to the effort you put into it building your network.
Andy
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
Mary - Thank you.
Andy - I think you are right Andy, you need to put some effort in, else not much is going to happen.
Jamie