Linkedin for Business Networking
This blog entry was posted on March 5, 2008.
LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool that everyone in business who is growing their business should be using. LinkedIn is social networking (similar to Hi5, Facebook, Friendster, etc, etc) but still very different. What makes LinkedIn different is that it has become the accepted norm as the universal business networking tool.
One of the keys for successful LinkedIn networking is to spend some time building up a complete profile. Your profile is one of the central ways that others will seek you out to network with you. The more information you share on your profile, the more searchable you become and more chances you will be able to make a real connection with someone.
Why use LinkedIn for your business?
- Increase Your Business. Networking using LinkedIn increases your chances of connecting with the right people. People can search for services not only among their direct network, but also with the people that your network knows directly.
- Personal Branding. Increase your credibility if you are marketing yourself as an expert. You increase your visibility not only with your network and with the people searching the contacts of your network. A strong presence only reinforces the branding you’re doing elsewhere.
- Accepted Networking Tool: LinkedIn is the most accepted tool for connecting professionals. Facebook is making great strides, but does not have the same audience and number of business users. LinkedIn allows you to keep in touch with people that otherwise may drop off the radar a few years after leaving a position. It allows reconnecting with old colleagues, clients, and vendors.
- Powerful People Search: LinkedIn has powerful search capabilities to find people that you haven’t connected with in years. The database is concisely organized and kept up to date by each individual.
- Understand Relationships: Who knows whom in your network? Not only do you have access to your address book, but also to the address book of everyone in your network. You can find who in your network has contacts at a certain company that can perhaps give you a referral.
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