What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site used for professional networking. It was launched in 2003 and as of last month had more than 50 million registered users spanning more than 200 counties worldwide. Already there are nearly 2,000 professionals in the Northwest Arkansas business community connected. Participation is free, although expanded versions are available.
While some regard LinkedIn as a job seeker’s tool, you can also consider it your company’s online resumé and portfolio. You can market yourself, your business, connect with individuals from your past and present, and make connections through your contacts.
Businesses, employers, customers and community leaders use LinkedIn as a referencing tool for vetting individuals or businesses. Others will be looking for you too, so it behooves you to have an accurate (and flattering) profile available when they seek to learn more about you.
How does LinkedIn work?
Visit www.LinkedIn.com and fill out the basic information to join. As with Twitter, you’ll find the tools intuitive and easy to navigate. Start by editing your profile, and don’t be shy. Include relevant information about your current and past employment, education and accomplishments.
Use the “People” or “Companies” tab at the top to search for colleagues, professional contacts, past connections, customers and vendors. Search groups that interest you in the same way. Join a few, especially professional associations or alumni groups, and you’ll begin to see the conversations among your peers and colleagues.
LinkedIn will coach you along, measuring the completeness of your profile. Even though the last few steps (which include summarizing your “specialties” and requesting recommendations) may be intimidating, take the plunge – a complete profile pays off by making you searchable, and more important, findable. If you’re unsure what to write, review profiles of individuals you admire to get inspired.
Building Connections
You can import your contacts from other sources on your computer, including your email address book. This makes it easy to send invitations to connect. Personalize your message for each or send several all at once with the click of a box.
As you build your connections you’ll see all the relationships you have. You’ll also see the relationship they have with others. You can get introduced to the people they know with the “Get Introduced” tab. With this feature you’ll be sending an email to someone you know asking them to introduce you to someone you don’t know. As your connections grow you will find others asking for introductions from you. Remember communications is a two-way street.
LinkedIn Tips
• LinkedIn is not stagnant – don’t post a profile and then leave it to die. Hop on LinkedIn at least once a week to check your inbox, invite new connections, clean house and post a profile update. It doesn’t require as much attention as Twitter and other social media tools, but maintenance is important.
• Consider engaging in discussions, submitting or scanning news articles to be posted to your profile.
• Make it a goal to extend invitations to key contacts frequently. Don’t be shy about the invitation to connect – just be honest.
• Keep up with what your colleagues are doing. What’s happening in their world might affect yours!
• Read and re-read your profile material. Check for spelling errors and typos. It’s your reputation out there.
• Recommend and asked to be recommended. You are building the strength of your network just by participating.
LinkedIn seems to have an unwritten code of conduct, and users rarely abuse it. You’ll find that if you’re forthright and honest in the way you present yourself, LinkedIn will be a powerful tool for growing your business and your personal brand.
There are thousands of social media tools and dozens of online and local community experts who can provide assistance with online media and marketing. Don’t forget to connect with your chambers of commerce. They, too, can connect you with local businesses, seminars, advertising, support, outreach, business building and networking. We’ll cover blogs and Facebook in future columns. Get out there and market your business!
From Biz2Biz NWA November 2009 “The Business of PR”
By Bethany Stephens, Rogers Chamber of Commerce/ Rogers: Bethany Stephens is Executive Vice President of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. An active proponent, she blogs and teaches a class on social networking for member businesses. Tweet Beth @bethanystephens, make a connection at www.LinkedIn.com/in/bethanystephens or read her blog at http://rogerslowellchamber.blogspot.com/.
