LinkedIn Review

Throughout the month of September I took the time to explore LinkedIn, the online social networking tool for business professionals.

The reason I took the time to understand LinkedIn was because of Jason Alba’s new book, I’m On LinkedIn Now What? I had the privelege to read his pre-press soft copy. I was hooked before I was out of chapter one. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you buy the book!

As a career coach, I see the value of professional men and women creating a profile on LinkedIn. If you are in the market for a new job, LinkedIn is a great place to meet people. How you Link into the people is very important. There is definitely a protocol. You would do well to learn the protocol and follow it.

What I have enjoyed the most about LinkedIn this month is re-connecting to people in my past. It was fun, but even more important, it was VERY easy to do. I have also met and connected to a few others. People I didn’t know before. I don’t think I fall into the category of an open networker. I am more interested in building lasting relationships. I think you can do that with LinkedIn, but I will caution you, it won’t happen overnight. In any case, my LinkedIn Theme is over.

Here is a roll-up of my LinkedIn posts this month:

1. What is LinkedIn?

2. One Value of Your LinkedIn Profile

3. Book Review:I’m On LinkedIn Now What?

4. LinkedIn Connections – “Now What?”

5. LinkedIn Connections “Now What?” P.2

6. LinkedIn Connections – Degrees

7. LinkedIn – Blast From My Past

8. LinkedIn Answers

9. Create More Value With LinkedIn

10. LinkedIn – Jobs & Hiring

Updated September 29th with an additional post:

Rules of Engagement for LinkedIn

My LinkedIn Theme this month was more about learning for me. I wanted to have a better understanding of the site than I did at the beginning of the month. I do. I am by no means an expert on the topic, but I know an expert – Scott Allen of LinkedIntelligence.

Scott has dedicated an entire blog to LinkedIn. I highly recommend you visit his blog. If you have questions, I know he can answer them. If you want to be successful using this tool to increase your network, I would recommend you read his latest post, 9 Ways to Get Linked Out on Linkedin. His post and some of the comments will help you understand what not to do. Enjoy LinkedIn. If you have a success story, please feel free to scroll down and add a comment. I would love to hear your story!
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The inspiration of this series of posts this month comes from Jason Alba’s new book, I’m On LinkedIn, Now What???

YOU are the key ingredient to creating value for yourself on LinkedIn. Jump in!