There’s one social network I have neglected for the longest time. I joined, filled in a few things, then left it alone. I regularly got updates and requests and never really did anything about it. Well, it’s time. LinkedIn, here I come.
This is different than all the other social media sites I’ve used. This one is professional. It’s linked to work and careers. It can actually help people find jobs, expand their professional networks, and advertise their services. In my case, I’d also like to use it to publicise this blog. But you see, I have a problem. I don’t know much about LinkedIn. I need to study it. I also need to complete my profile.
So, I need your help. For those of you who use LinkedIn, do you have any tips about using it? Let me know in the comments below.
I’m right there with you on LINKEDIN, Jay. I started one a couple years back, never finished it and get lots of notices, but don’t have a clue about it, just let it simmer. Only thing I have learned is having someone do “quiet lurking” there doesn’t work, cuz I get notices all the time that someone has “looked” at my profile, as sparse as that is. I hope you get some really good response here, I’ll be lurking, er, I mean looking at your comments!
Thanks. And yes, it does seem that when you view a profile, it tells them who viewed! I viewed several, so I’m sure they know I was looking 🙂
I think search engine optimization is key with LinkedIn. In your case, you would probably like to have your profile come up when your intended audience searches by keywords like author, writer, blogger, etc. If that is your goal, then it helps to have the words author, writer, blogger repeated throughout your profile (and not only in the sections for background/experience, I mean also within the very fields where you have your name displayed).
Thanks, Nick. That’ll be a lot of help. I’ll get around to working on my profile in the coming weeks.
And long time no see.
I have neglected Linked in as well. Let me know how it goes.
I’ll probably make a post about it when I’ve gotten it all up to speed. And I’ll also link it to this blog using publicize.
I’m 100% clueless as to how LinkedIn is supposed to work. I just kinda go with the flow and add people I know or have worked with in some capacity. It’s difficult to get around and figure out for me.
I’m figuring that we need to have a fully fleshed out profile, then connect with friends and people in industries we’d like to be in. Maybe.
Import your blog, list your relevant skills, projects, etc…. If you get involved in the groups available there, just remember to keep it professional. I have my profile mostly filled out, but I haven’t updated it in a while. I think it’s specifically useful for people who are trying to market their “profitable” skills, like public speaking, design, management, etc.
It does seem that way. I think marketing my writing skills could lead to things like freelance writing or something related, but who knows?