I remain a HUGE fan of LinkedIn and have written a number of articles on how to effectively use LinkedIn as a networking, business development and learning tool.
I have been an avid user of LinkedIn going back more than five years and remain an active daily communicator on the platform. I am a firm believer in the LinkedIn "Open Networker" philosophy and am currently connected to almost 8,000 business professionals on a first degree basis.
Looking back over the years, and particularly over the past two to three years, I've personally realized SIGNIFICANT benefits from using LinkedIn -- benefits to me personally and benefits to my business. I've written this article to inventory some of those benefits as a personal testimonial to the power of using LinkedIn.
Some of the Benefits I've Personally Realized from Using LinkedIn:
I've chosen to highlight only SOME of the benefits I've realized from using LinkedIn over the years. This list would be extensive if I listed ALL of the specific benefits I've realized.
- Brand Development. LinkedIn has been an outstanding platform for distributing blog articles from my various blog sites, allowing me to communicate my brand to a targeted audience of business professionals.
- Meeting Career Experts. As a co-host of the weekly Career Success Radio Show on Exceptional Wisdom Radio (based out of Cambridge, MA), I have "met" and been introduced to (referred to, etc.) a number of experts who we have invited as guests on the Radio Show. Many of those guests have since become good friends and business partners, and a number have been a source of new business referrals to me.
- LinkedIn Experts. I have met, become associated with and have learned from several of the nationally recognized top experts on LinkedIn. A couple of those individuals have also appeared as guests on our Radio Show (as noted above). I met all of those individuals through LinkedIn.
- Networking "Pinging." LinkedIn allows me to regularly "ping" my network -- individual network members, members of LinkedIn Groups, and/or my ENTIRE network with useful information, updates and brand-specific content -- allowing me to "stay on the radar screen" with my important business contacts and prospective clients.
- New Clients. LinkedIn has been an EXCELLENT source of new coaching clients over the years -- I regularly receive requests from individuals who met me EXCLUSIVELY through LinkedIn and who are interested in initiating an executive coaching or career coaching relationship. I've had as many as three new clients in a 30 day period coming directly through LinkedIn. Other than "word of mouth" referral, LinkedIn is my number two source of new client referrals.
- New Business Ventures. LinkedIn has also been an excellent vehicle for developing and expanding a number of new business ventures I have launched over the past five years. LinkedIn is ALWAYS a key component of my marketing and "public relations" campaigns when expanding a business.
- Client Job Search Successes. A number of my executive coaching clients, with my assistance and knowledge of how to effectively use LinkedIn, have secured job opportunities as a direct result of LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an excellent job search tool.
- Business and Vendor Resources. When I'm in need of outside resources, my LinkedIn network is definitely a "go to" resource. LinkedIn serves as an excellent "yellow pages" for finding excellent third party business and vendor resources.
- Learning and Professional Development. I could go on and on with this particular benefit of LinkedIn. It's a source of great information, timely information and I use it as a way to keep current on important topics -- through Groups, through LinkedIn's "Answers" feature and through tuning in to my network's status update feed.
- New Friends and Relationships. LinkedIn has been a GREAT place to meet and get to know new people -- people who share in my interests, my areas of expertise and my outside interests and hobbies.
LinkedIn has worked for me because I HAVE SPENT TIME USING IT -- DAILY.
How effective has it been for you?
Co-host, Career Success Radio Show
A leading authority on career success; 15-year executive coaching veteran
Contact: [email protected]
I am also a huge fan of Linkedin because of these above mentioned benefits only. You have shared a very picture of linkedin. Like your's, it has also helped me in building online brand reputation, conversation with experts and maintaining relationships. I totally agree with your point of view.
Posted by: Resume Services | January 20, 2011 at 02:26 AM