Does it pay to be Linked In?

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Permalink Reply by Doug Theis on February 6, 2009 at 10:07am

Maybe the bigger question is, "does it pay to build your network?" LinkedIn is one of several virtual venues that I use in addition to face-to-face networking via Rainmakers, Smaller Indiana, Tweetups and industry professional groups.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Wilkerson on February 6, 2009 at 10:48am

Totally agree with Doug Theis on this. Linked In is part of a healthy networking menu. It isn't a solution in and of itself, but is an important building block that pulls together professional associates from your past and present, which if all goes well, yields future business. One positive thing about Linked In is that you are restricted from adding people unless you know them in some way.

Any Smoosier who is on Linked In should also join the group Linking Indiana, in addition to groups related to your business category and others of interest.

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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on February 6, 2009 at 4:43pm

Being active on different social networks is how to keep your network diverse and also stay on top of what's going on with your 2nd and 3rd degree connections.

I don't think that people that are active in social networking don't have enough to do, but rather that they have made social media a part of their marketing and networking plan. It definitely helps to build quality relationships because you are able to see if what the person is writing and if they will be a good connection as well as if there are areas in which you are able to help them.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Theis on February 6, 2009 at 12:09pm

How do I use LinkedIn? My friends' contact lists are one source of contact information when I am meeting with a new company. It is a way I can provide help (contact information) to referral partners and for friends who are looking for employment. I do not use the InMail function; which is the big pay-for-play feature. The pitch is that you have a warm lead if you use it. I would disagree.

Chris makes a good point about the time to use all of these sites. I think sales hunters benefit more than sales farmers, and that once you're up and running on most of them, they are not a huge time sink. Oddly, I have found that Twitter, coupled with Twitterfeed, has generated more real connections, along with traffic to our data center blog and Lifeline website, than any of the other social media venues.

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Permalink Reply by Shelly Arens on February 6, 2009 at 1:09pm

Truely motivated individuals seeking employment will utilize every resource to aid them in their search. I invite my candidates to search my contacts to see if I can facilitate meeting employers with whom they wish to work. Searching companies and contacts within those companies, helps me in the research process to find the best fit for their open positions as well.

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Permalink Reply by Shelly Arens on February 6, 2009 at 4:14pm

I don't send unsolicited requests for information. I use the contacts much like Lorraine suggests, as an extension of my address book for personal contact.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Nettleton on February 6, 2009 at 1:52pm

At Right On Interactive we use LinkedIn to find connections into target companies.

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on February 6, 2009 at 3:19pm

I use LinkedIn as an extension of my address book. I don't often use it to send emails or host conversations, but if I meet two people who should meet each other, and they are both on LinkedIn, it makes the introduction much easier.

I find it particularly helpful to make productive connections for job seekers.

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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on February 6, 2009 at 4:54pm

I've had a LinkedIn profile for about two years now. I've actually just started to use it.

I love that I can search the database for companies that I am wanting to speak with about a service that we can provide them. Having the name of a person to call and ask for helps with getting past the gatekeeper in some situations.

I also love that I can see who is connected to a person that I'd like to be introduced to, and because I do maintain good relationships with my network, I am able to get the introductions from my current network to the people I am seeking.

I also love the recommendations section of the profiles. Having individual testimonials/references for viewers to see helps with instant credibility.

Because it is a network that focuses on professionals, it is just that. I love Facebook, and am really starting to use it, but there is a lot of noise that is starting to build. Within the last 2 weeks, I've probably had about 40 new friend requests from old high school friends. I'm starting to cringe thinking that it's becoming a huge high school reunion... But, I guess it's a good thing because I'm really utilizing the group functionality for clients!

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Permalink Reply by Joe Dager on February 6, 2009 at 5:02pm

I think LinkedIn is a valuable source to introduce people and especially helpful for job seekers. The Q & A has been also been helpful for me getting world class answers on subjects that I may have limited experience in.

It is a convenient way to have relationships at a distance. Once getting connected on LinkedIn, I typically find myself asking to get connected on another site for building any type of relationship. I use the analogy that it is much like being in a meeting at work but if you want to have cocktails, you need to move over to Smaller Indiana.

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Permalink Reply by Tristan Schmid on February 6, 2009 at 7:10pm

I agree with what Doug, Rick and others have said - LinkedIn is a cool tool, but it's exactly that: a tool, and not the solution for folks' professional dilemmas.

It's a nice counterbalance to the "look what Bob just spent his free time doing" feel of Facebook. I have a LOT of info on my Facebook profile about my interests, education and job experience, but I've never been contacted by anyone about anything in my Facebook profile's "Info" section. Facebook has power, but the majority of communication on the site seems quite trite.

I have, however, been contacted by people via my LinkedIn profile - it was mostly them looking for someone I used to work with, though :P

The most useful aspects of LinkedIn so far for me? Being able to maintain a comprehensive list of people I've worked with is terrific - it's allowed me to reconnect with some folks I would've otherwise have had difficulty finding, and those people gave me some great references. Even better, sometimes, is the somewhat voyeuristic pleasure of seeing how people I used to work with have moved on with their professional selves, for better or for worse.

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Permalink Reply by Hazel "The Queen" Walker on February 6, 2009 at 8:54pm

I use Linkedin for several reasons

1 To make connections for others in my network. I have been able to Link several BNI Members with people I am Linked to and they have been able to do business.

2. I use the questions for writing material and for research on topics I want to write about.

3. I have gotten 3 Speaking Gigs, 2 Phone interviews for articles and 2 radio interviews from Linkedin so I build my business on this site.

4. I stay connected to many people in my network, building the relationships by writing recommendations for them.

5. The Groups are very valuable networks especially those that I am a member of physically.

All in all I find Linkedin as one of my most valuable tools

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