I have started with LinkedIn as I hear so many great things about them. My friend and networking expert Carol Deckert highly recommends LinkedIn and attributes client acquisition to having her profile there.
Setting up a profile is a piece of cake as it steps you through the various parts.
For me though the trouble is after I have finished my profile, I have a feeling of “Ok, what now?”. I do like the feature of downloading your address book to check for profiles of people you already know - and unlike some unscrupulous social networking sites, LinkedIn just makes the suggestion to contact them, rather than sending out an invite to everyone in your address book automatically.
Without any forums I feel that it is hard to really know how to work LinkedIn. I added all the people I could think of to my network and it was fun to see that people I haven’t talked to in ages have a profile there. In fact I was amazed at how many people from my address book had a LinkedIn page- who knew?
I believe that LinkedIn is more known as a resource for job hunters and people looking for staff but more and more solo entrepreneurs are putting it to good use.
- TIPS
1. The profile pages are fairly well indexed by Google so make sure to change the name of your profile page to your own name or the name of your business.
2. Do not be afraid to ask satisfied clients for their recommendations.
3.Choose ‘other’ for your website category so you can write a descriptive and keyword targeted title.
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1 response so far ↓
1 Carol Deckert // Feb 14, 2008 at 5:39 am
I would like to add a few more tips to the ones that Katherine has started with this post.
Having a profile on LinkedIn can be likened to having an online resume. The important thing to remember is to keep your profile updated with everything you do and have done in your professional career. Be clear and concise and be ready to talk about your skills and talents. When networking, you definitely need to “toot your own horn” and LinkedIn provides the opportunity to do that with your profile.
There are quite a few forums that are LinkedIn approved forums and there are just as many, if not more, that are related to LinkedIn participants on Yahoo Groups. In my opinion, if you join any forum that is led by Vincent Wright, you can’t go wrong. His forum, Wright Hand Power Forum, formerly known as My LinkedIn Power Forum http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyLinkedinPowerForum/ has approximately 8000 members. Read the posts, lurk until you are comfortable, then begin to post your questions and don’t be afraid to comment on someone else’s posts. This is definitely the best place, in my opinion, to receive recognition for your LinkedIn participation.
There are many other ways to get involved with your membership in LinkedIn. Practice good networking etiquette and your reputation will soar. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we were all new to this at one time or another.
Be yourself and don’t commit to more than you have time to handle in these forums, but if you DO have the time, volunteer to be a moderator.
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