2009 is the Year to Get LinkedIn for Career Growth
The social networking site LinkedIn has seen unprecedented growth over the last several months since the economy has hit a rough patch. In fact, unique visits to LinkedIn.com were up 22% in December alone. Success stories in LinkedIn are coming in from all over. For example, Amy Logan, principal of ProFusion Publicity in San Francisco, recently won a six-month retainer contract from a colleague of one of her existing clients after her client posted a recommendation of her on LinkedIn.
Why LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a free business social networking site that allows users who register to create a professional profile visible to others. It is the foremost professional social network with over 30 million users in 150 countries relying on a combination of free members and paid subscribers to facilitate valuable business connections among professionals on the network
How does LinkedIn work?
For any business professional who’s been networking as part of their career will find LinkedIn’s digital networking world to be very much like the peer-to-peer networking events that they attend on a regular basis. There are strong and weak connections, forums to showcase expertise, groups and subgroups to join in your industry or professional area and question & answer areas where you can help out a digital colleague. As in any networking scenario, the more you share, participate and give to the network, the more you receive in return benefits.
How do I get the most from LinkedIn?
There are a few things that everyone can do to maximize their LinkedIn potential. Here are five things that you can do to make LinkedIn work for you.
- Start with a strategy or purpose; the most effective networkers have an organizing principle that supports a goal. Know what you want out of social networking – just because your friends are doesn’t mean you have to.
- Build a complete profile with a professional photo, your full career resume and professional keywords. An incomplete profile reflects as poorly on your professional presence in LinkedIn.
- Give and seek LinkedIn recommendations from your colleagues. Strong recommendations highlight your strengths and shows that you are a valued colleague, employee or vendor.
- Participate to keep your status top of mind. LinkedIn notifies your connections what you’re up to. The more questions you answer, status updates you post and connections you make, the more you’ll be top of mind with your network.
- Connect with your stack of business cards. You all have them – that stack of cards you’ve done nothing with for months. Why not take a few moments each day and make a meaningful connection or re-connection with someone from that stack of business cards?
Where can I learn more?
Green Bay has its very own LinkedIn user group called Link Greater Green Bay, which has regular meetings on how to use LinkedIn for professional networking, business development and career development. You can learn more about the group by joining LinkedIn and searching for “Link Greater Green Bay” on LinkedIn or by visiting: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1793165&trk=hb_side_g
About the author:
Dana VanDen Heuvel conducts seminars on how to use LinkedIn and Facebook for business. Learn more at www.linkedingb.com. Subscribe to his newsletter for more articles on marketing strategy and learn about upcoming marketing seminars at www.marketingsavant.com.







