The worst quote of 2009 (so far) is “LinkedIn is for people who are looking for a job.” That is so 2007. I look at LinkedIn and I see people who are experts, skilled, employed and most important of all searchable! When someone tells me about a company or an individual the first place I search is LinkedIn. Why? Because there is a great snapshot of the employees working at the company, recommendations of their work, job titles, and I can see if I am connected to anyone at the company.
LinkedIn has evolved from being an online resume bank to being a source for credible information. Reputations and credibility are established on LinkedIn. Are you an expert in your field? Answer a few Questions on LinkedIn and that will be established for anyone to see. By answering and even asking questions you touch your network, a small reminder to your people that you are alive and kicking. Your network sees that you are active in your field and a seed is planted that you are a resource.
What are we really talking about here? Relationship building. People say to me, “Show Me The Money.” As we all know money generally does not grow on trees (Florida citrus farmers may disagree), and you may not be a valuable resource immediately. Build up your network and contribute knowledge to the community and your value will increase proportionally. People will contact you as you establish the space you fill. Those contacts will turn into business referrals and deals that would have not existed without your activity. Take charge of your reputation on LinkedIn today.
Basic Guidelines – Ten Step Program
- Register on LinkedIn and fill out your profile, keep it real and include every school or job you can. Make sure you make your profile public (your email address can remain private to just your connections).
- Upload your contacts from your email and add everyone you are comfortable adding, check your schools and jobs and do the same.
- Update your Status Bi-Weekly or as relevant.
- Answer Questions and Ask Questions. Think about what information you are providing and remember that other people will see it. Cite experts you are LinkedIn with and websites that are relevant.
- Provide recommendations as you are comfortable. Ask for them from previous managers. Be careful, remember that when you endorse someone you are backing them with your reputation. Credit is FREE, be generous with it.
- Join some Groups, start with Alumni groups and add groups related to your business and passions. Don’t be shy, discussions are happening in these groups that may change your life or business forever.
- Link to every single person at your current company. This is your network, open it up and make it as big as possible. You may have connections that will help close the biggest deal your company has ever pitched, or your secretary may have those connections.
- When you are bored, look for people you have lost touch with, it is kosher to look at your connections’ connections.
- Have a company Blog, Link to it within LinkedIn, WordPress has great integration here.
- Last but not least, Add your LinkedIn public address to all of the media you send out, emails, letterhead, business cards. Use traditional media to effectively drive traffic to your profile, then to your company website.
Have you LinkedIn with me? http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieginsberg
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