Using LinkedIn For Social Networking

LinkedIn is a social networking site that is centered around business. It was initially created as a way to connect with your co-workers, business partners, customers, and friends. LinkedIn has become THE hub for online networking in the more traditional sense – that is business networking – likened to handing out your business card at a cocktail party (except this is a cocktail party with a couple hundred million guests from around the globe.)

LinkedIn is a bit more ‘professional’ than your more traditional social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook. Where you might find pictures of your boss having a bit too much fun at happy hour on Facebook or a video of your cubicle partner doing something regrettable during their freshman year of college you will find references, employment history and areas of professional specialization on LinkedIn.

All in all, LinkedIn is a very different environment than the other social networking sites. That means that you will need to take advantage of it in a different manner.
First off, create your own personal profile on LinkedIn.

Connect with all of your business acquaintances that you can find. Connect with old classmates, professors, and co-workers. Build a network.

LinkedIn allows you to join 50 groups, so join 50 groups. These will preferably be groups that have to do with your industry. If you are a real estate agent join as many real estate groups as you can. Use the discussion boards, engage in conversation and try to build connections that have legitimate business value.

Answer questions. LinkedIn has a questions and answers section where users can ask people questions about a given topic. Try to answer as many questions as possible about your business topic. If you are a computer programmer try to answer as many programming questions as possible. The person that asks the question can then tag one of the answers they receive as the “Best Answer”. If enough of your answers are tagged as being good, or best answers your profile will reflect that you are an expert in that category.

If you are open to connecting with just about anyone one LinkedIn (a great way to build new connections). Considering adding the term LION after your name. This stands for LinkedIn Open Networker. This means you are willing to connect with anyone that asks to connect with you. Be aware you will probably get some spam, and your email address will be out there with this method. I suggest setting up a dedicated email address, separate from your business account to use strictly for LinkedIn.