We’ve been talking about Social Media here at BCWS and the question came up:
“Why do I need so many different kinds?”
You want to go to where your people are. It’s as simple as that.
As a rule of thumb, Facebook is focused on connecting with the people you already know. Twitter and LinkedIn are both geared toward meeting up with the people you want to know.
If you are using Social Media to build a network, you are simply going to do it faster on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Why LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a very easy, passive way to build your social network with individuals that you might already know, as well as those you meet in the course of your networking events.
Through LinkedIn’s Status Updates, Reading Lists, Groups and the amazing Answer feature, you will have the opportunity to be a solution provider, which is golden in today’s world.
Getting started
1. Go to http://www.linkedin.com
2. Choose your LinkedIn account type
Note: Anyone can sign up for a free Basic LinkedIn account. Free accounts allow you to invite available connections, manage your own profile, join Groups and sign up for LinkedIn events. Free accounts do not allow you to send InMails (which allow you send mail to anyone whether you are connected or not), see all LinkedIn contacts or organize your contacts beyond a basic name listing.
For the LinkedIn users that want to use the application more fully or for targeted tasks like job recruiting, there are several other business options available for a monthly charge.
3. Add connections
You can allow LinkedIn to check your existing address books for your current email addresses or enter your contacts manually.
It is easiest to allow LinkedIn to comb through your current address books for your various email applications. You will get a list of the people you know who are already using LinkedIn and can invite them to connect with you.
It is easiest to allow LinkedIn to comb through your current address books for your various email applications. You will get a list of the people you know who are already using LinkedIn and can invite them to connect with you.
Note: If you don’t want to do this when you begin, you can return here later. This is the Import Contacts option that is located inside the People You May Know section in the upper right corner of your LinkedIn home page.
What do you do once you’re connected?
Listen
Listening in LinkedIn means watching the Status Updates that show on your home page each day and commenting on them. These updates are a treasure trove of conversation openers.
Read
In LinkedIn, there is an application to discuss and recommend what you are reading. When you use this application, it will update your home page. People will comment, and you can do the same on the books they recommend. Part of why so many people love books is because they are so easy to bond over.
Browse
Be sure to look around in LinkedIn. You’ll come across the greatest stuff just poking around. Explore the LinkedIn toolbar at the top of the page to see your Connections, Update your profile, or look for Jobs. Incidentally, all the recruiters we know say they find the best talent through LinkedIn.
Find Groups that have other people with the same interests as you.
Some people take an opposite track and join Groups with members that have knowledge you want to have.
Some people take an opposite track and join Groups with members that have knowledge you want to have.
On the right hand side of the LinkedIn toolbar, there is a search box that defaults to say “People.” Hit the drop-down and choose Groups. Type in your interest (i.e. financial planning, parenting or gardening). Trust me, you will find wonderful groups.
Other helpful tips:
· All the usual rules of social media apply – spamming and lying are not appropriate.
· You do not have to be introduced to anyone you are in a Group with. This is the perfect chance to go where your target audience is and rub elbows with them. We’ve all met amazing people this way.
· Browse the People You May Know section on the right side of your screen every few weeks. New people show up in there based on things like who has joined LinkedIn or which searches you’ve run. I nearly always find someone I’d been wishing to have as a connection.
We’ll have more LinkedIn discussion over the next few weeks about Events, Answers and the Search capabilities. You can also feel free to ask questions about the program in the comments below.
In the meantime, are you already on LinkedIn? Do you like or dislike it? We’d like to connect with you! Please come find us at:
No comments:
Post a Comment