LinkedIn has definitely emerged as the de facto choice for online business networking -- whether you're looking for a new job or career, seeking new business opportunities, selling services or products, researching companies or simply seeking knowledge or information pertinent to your job needs and interests.
LinkedIn WILL work for you and is an excellent networking tool, but it's effectiveness is in direct proportion to the AMOUNT OF TIME you devote to the platform and the quality of time you spend. A minimum of 30 to 45 minutes to an hour a day can reap great rewards if you spend that time constructively with "giving first" as your mantra. Develop a weekly routine of devoting 30 to 45 minutes a day, four to five days a week, engaged in some of the following high impact activities:- Continuously expanding your connections. Spend time each week seeking out connections -- former colleagues, current and former client contacts, vendors -- current and past, college alumni, and other current and former business associates.
- Join and become active in Groups relevant to you. Seek out and join a minimum of ten groups relevant to you and become ACTIVE in those groups -- participating in group discussions, sharing useful information and news, responding to questions, etc.
- Give and seek out recommendations. Recommend former vendors, work associates and other business contacts. Ask for recommendations from others. Set a goal to reach a minimum of 10 recommendations.
- Ask questions and answer questions. Use the LinkedIn Q&A function -- Review and answer questions relevant to your areas of expertise. Done regularly, you can quickly establish yourself as a recommended expert within the LinkedIn community.
- Regularly update your "Status." Share useful information and articles through your status update. You can use a URL-shortening service such as http://bit.ly to post informative blog articles and news. Share the title of the article and the shortened URL for the article. This is an excellent way to give to your network.
- If you have a blog, integrate your blog postings into your profile using BlogLink -- this application is easy to add and will list your five most recent blog postings within your LinkedIn profile.
- COMMUNICATE! Look for ways to share information, give useful advice, ask questions, introduce yourself to others and engage in online dialogues.
LinkedIn is a wonderful tool for creating network "gravity" back to you and to "stay on the radar screen" of your connections. Make it work for you!
All the best to your career success.
Co-host, Career Success Radio Show
A leading authority on career success; 15-year executive coaching veteran
Contact: [email protected]
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