Why Do I Use LinkedIn?

reflectionA recent question on LinkedIn Answers posed the fundamental question, “What is the value of using LinkedIn?” The author of the question, Gema Gomez, is doing some research on social networks and created a survey, which I have answered in this post.

Since I work with executives and companies to help them create and execute against strategies for LinkedIn and other Web 2.0 venues, I attempted to answer the questions from my own experience as well as from my clients’.

[…]

Strategies for Managing LinkedIn's Network Updates

adviceAs you grow your linkedIn network, you will notice that LinkedIn “Network Updates” tend to grow geometrically. Moreover, there are many moving parts, so how do you manage this information to your satisfaction? Here I’ll outline a few strategies for channelling the information, so you receive it and keep it to maximize your effectiveness.

[…]

If I Can't Find Anyone Like Me, Do I Still Belong on LinkedIn?

reflectionA recent Question in LinkedIn Answers concerned an executive who worked in a very specialized field. He didn’t feel like he fit in on LinkedIn because he couldn’t find anyone else in his field. There didn’t seem to be anything in LinkedIn for him.

This reminded me that “networking” was a concept that was still relatively new for many people. In the U.S., we had a social contract until the 80s: most people trained for something, worked hard, advanced and kept within their silos. The concept that you could meet strangers who might know something or someone that could lead to some kind of opportunity was a foreign concept for some people, especially Traditionalists or older Boomers. Here I’ll share some of my response to him in which I explained some of the fundamental values of LinkedIn.

[…]

Save the Date: The Executive's Guide to LinkedIn Seminars Announced in Chicago, Wheaton

seminarsI am pleased to announce that I just confirmed two new dates for Chicago-area seminars, LinkedIn Core Value Realization: May 17, 2008 at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center and June 12, 2008 at the IIT Wheaton Campus. In addition, I’m happy to say that my partnership with Samurai on the March 11 launch went really well, so we are moving forward together with the series.

[…]

Flagging LinkedIn Profiles to Visit in the Future

adviceHave you ever come across LinkedIn profiles of people that have something fascinating or potentially useful in the future? The problem is, you don’t know the person enough to send him/her an invitation to connect, and you don’t want to interrupt your workflow to send him/her a message. LinkedIn doesn’t have a built-in function to “save” or “flag” profiles for future reference.

Ah, but there’s a wonderful hack I’ve used for months that’s very easy, effective and free. My thanks to Jack Jackson, who posted this question on LinkedIn Answers today, making me realize that my workaround could be helpful to many other people. Read on for the step-by-step rundown.

[…]

Discovering the Subtle Power of LinkedIn Groups

adviceWhen I talk to executives about “Groups” in LinkedIn, many react with either suspicion or a “why do I care” look. But, like so many elements of LinkedIn and other social networks, Groups have subtleties that, once you appreciate them, enable you to mitigate risk while connecting with more people. LinkedIn Groups are a powerful way that LinkedIn lets you “have your cake and eat it, too.” Here I will attempt to demystify the main elements and suggest ways that you could use Groups better.

[…]

Guide to Recommendations—Writing LinkedIn Recommendations

adviceLinkedIn Recommendations are a way for you to segment your connections into an even smaller and more specific group. A Recommendation is a far stronger tie than a connection. You can also think of them as a way to reward your strongest connections. Carefully consider the people for whom you write Recommendations.

Here I will outline how you can combine the art and science of writing Recommendations to create credible, memorable ones. Just as important, when you ask someone to write a Recommendation for you, send them here first.. they will probably be grateful, and you will get a more lucid Recommendation.

[…]

Reflections on the first Executive's Guide to LinkedIn Seminar

reflectionToday was a major milestone for the Executive’s Guide to LinkedIn. Partnering with the Samurai Business Group, I launched the EGLI’s public seminar program at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center in front of a sold out crowd of business executives. The seminar, “LinkedIn Core Value Realization,” is designed for experienced LinkedIn users who want to significantly boost their LinkedIn ROI. My two sessions, “The Executive’s Toolbox” and “Template and Technique,” were followed by Samurai Partner Bob Lambert’s “Connecting the Online with the Offline,” which offered some profound insights on trust and networking.

Here I’ll offer you some personal reflections on the topics and the sharing that went on in the room.

[…]

LinkedIn Crowdsourcing: Writing Questions

adviceLinkedIn is a community of immense talent that you can draw on to solve any challenge you have, any many that you can’t imagine yet. LinkedIn Answers is your window into LinkedIn’s vibrant discussions, which are categorized according to topic area. Although the “Answers” vernacular is idiosyncratic (? ask “questions” to use “Answers”?), the forum is excellent.

To use Answers effectively, you need to master two basic skills: how to write engaging questions and how to answer questions so you add the most value. Here we will tackle writing questions, so read on for our first installment of LinkedIn crowdsourcing.

[…]

Using LinkedIn for Reference Checking

adviceTime-pressed executives must always think about what they are getting from their work as well as what a proposed situation (job, board of directorship, volunteer position) will cost in terms of time, energy and aggravation. All jobs are increasingly collaborative, so when you understand how to use LinkedIn for due diligence, you will go farther and endure less aggravation at the hands of future colleagues.

LinkedIn is an excellent reference checking tool, so here I will give you the quick run-down and refer you to a hilarious-for-some post by Guy Kawasaki for additional detail.

[…]