LinkedIn is a social community that allows business professionals to create networks to support each other. All LinkedIn professionals' relationships rely on invitations and referrals. Unlike a social network where you are apt to readily accept a new contact or buddy to your list, on the LinkedIn website you want to make sure you know who you are adding to your network.
LinkedIn Corporation is focused on helping business professionals like you build professional relationships which open up opportunities by using your current professional relationships.
1. Rely upon the people you already know to put you in touch with the people you want or need to know.
2. Search for existing LinkedIn info on members via keywords or criteria, such as job title, company name, industry, or location.
3. Use LinkedIn to find qualified candidates for your open business positions.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Join LinkedIn for free to link with friends and colleagues
Set aside some time and focus on creating an online profile at the LinkedIn site. It is an intense process, akin to filling out a complete online resume, but the time invested will allow you to reap the benefits of LinkedIn. Get incorporated into the database to find every possible person on the network that you might know from any company for which you've worked, club in which you've held a membership, or school you've attended.
I recommend: Start your free LinkedIn experience by
registering on the LinkedIn website. Fill in the profile with as much detail as possible to make it easy for people to find you. Once you have registered, you can
upgrade to a paid account that offers more tools for locating and emailing people whether they are in your network or not.
Get more LinkedIn information
While developing your profile and building a network of professionals you find on LinkedIn, keep yourself up-to-date with new features and other information.
I recommend: Find LinkedIn information to help you decide if the site is right for you using the
LinkedIn Help & FAQ site. Access the
LinkedIn Learning Center to learn about site features. Read through the user guides to see the different ways you can use LinkedIn.
Be curious and research the LinkedIn business to see if it is right for you
There are many online networking sites already in existence. The online networking business continually grows and it may be hard to discern which network is the right one for you. LinkedIn's approach to its 'network' is that contact with any professional requires an existing relationship of some sort or an introduction by a mutual party. It is a way to build trust among members.
I recommend: Use the
LinkedIn Answers feature to read through questions already asked and answers already given before posing your own business-oriented question.
Thomas Kenny has a detailed page with questions and answers, as well as links to further information regarding LinkedIn, including the history of the LinkedIn company.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Be aware that if five people click a button that says they don't know you, LinkedIn, Corp., will suspend your account.
- LinkedIn incorporation into your site -- particularly of the LinkedIn logo or multiple references to the company name -- is tricky. Do it carefully, or you may find yourself facing copyright infringement charges.
The official source of LinkedIn is the LinkedIn page at Business.com
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