Almost one year ago I started a 10 part series on LinkedIn asking the question “Can LinkedIn work for you?” LinkedIn has changed somewhat in the last year, so I think now is a good time to revisit the series. Starting this week I’m going to take a look at each article and update them. In some cases I’ll combine or delete those that are no longer relevant and add one or two new parts.
There are over 45 million people now on LinkedIn but only about 25% are active users. I don’t really know why some people sign up but do no participate and others hit the ground running from day one. What I do know is that once you find some success you’re likely to become a regular user.
For the first two years that I was on LinkedIn I was simply a member. It wasn’t until I actually developed new clients from being on LinkedIn that I became a regular user. At that point I decided if LinkedIn could help me grow my business than I better know as much as possible about it.
You can grow your business and make money by being an active participant. I know this for a fact and can point to clients that I have that I would not have if it were not for LinkedIn. I know that as I grow my network I find more opportunities. I know that the more I learn and participate the more I encounter new opportunities.
One of the first things that I realized about LinkedIn was that it was simply a tool, much like my chamber of commerce, that could help me connect to others. For some people membership in a chamber is economically beneficial. For other it’s a waste of time and money.
It’s how you use the tool that determines the winners and losers.
Over the next 9 articles in this series I will try to lay out a foundation for using LinkedIn to generate business. This is simply a platform in which you will need to adapt to your business and yourself to find success. LinkedIn is personal in that what works for one person may not work for another.
Here are some of the topics we’ll cover:
- Why are you on LinkedIn?
- Create Your Online Brand
- Enhance and Expand Your Current Networking
- Extending Your Reach
- Build Credibility…Know, Like, and Trust
- New Opportunities/New Employees
- Prospecting for People and Companies
- Communicating Your Message
- Growing Your Business
- A Part of Your Social Media Strategy
Whether you are an active member or still waiting to figure it out, over the next nine articles you’ll learn some tips and strategies to put to use. Some of these you’ll be able to put to immediate use; others will require that you adapt them to your specific needs.
I’ll end today’s post with 4 Keys to Success:
- The Right Perspective = The Right Activities
- Expanding Your Reach = Expanding Your Opportunities
- Providing Value to Others = Know, Like, & Trust
- More Activity = More Success
This is the start of the conversation. It’s not meant to be one-sided so join the conversation by adding your insights. Whether you agree or disagree with the points that I make, the conversation becomes that much more powerful when you participate.
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About Sean Nelson
Looking forward to the next nine installments. I’m sure that as usual your blog will add value for my future LI experience.
I find your posts very informative and appreciate the practical tips. Thanks.
Janice,
Glad to be of service.
Sean
Sean:
This content sounds terrific, very applicable to so many types of business objectives. I am definitely anticipating your upcoming installments.
Ray Mascola
Thank you for the posts! I always read your articles as they are very informative. I am looking forward to the LinkedIn topics! I signed up and still trying to learn the benefits and how to maximize.
Hi Sean,
this is exactly my point I am thinking about since longer time. How to use LinkedIn to expand the business and the business relationship. A simple advert does not work at all, so how to approach via LinkedIn.
I wonder how it does continue or maybe you have some tips for me.
Cheers
Michael
You say you don’t know why people sign up but aren’t active. I think it’s because people send them an invitation to join, they don’t really know what it is, they join and then they don’t know what to do with it. This happened to me a year ago and I never made more than the one connection who asked me to join. Then I started trying to find out more and I’ve increased my connections to 77 over the past month, but I still am not sure what to do with LinkedIn. I have joined groups, I have gotten connections, and I read blogs, but I’m just not sure how to use it effectively yet. I look forward to your future posts – maybe you can shed some light for me!
I look forward to the next 9 installments I to am wondering how this can help me I am currently working on my A+ Net+ and ccna certifications and being 57 yrs of age it is a challenge to find work. so learning new skills and networking with as many people as I can and learning new ways of doing things is the way to go
Michael,
Stay tuned for the next couple of weeks. A lot depends upon where you are in terms of understanding LinkedIn. For less than $10 the LinkedIn MBA and the LinkedIn MBA workbooks are a great way to build your foundation of LinkedIn knowledge. The LinkedIn Marketing Secret Formula is more for the person that’s ready to take the next step.
You can see more info on the books at the blog on the Books tab.
Sean
Sean,
This is my introduction to you. Although I missed the first in the series I am looking forward to future events. Thank you for your insight.
Regards,
Lucia Hayes
Hi Sean !
I am using Linked In for 3 years and I am able to have a network of a good number of people.
But no Job opportunities got forwarded. That is the reason there is a very low turnout of active users.
No corporate puts job requirements in Linked In. So how can opportunities come in ??
Sameer
Sameer,
In many cases you have to make it happen. A lot, as far as jobs posted, depends upon your location. Optimize your profile, build your network, and communicate your message consistently over time.
Finally, seek to provide as much value to others as possible and it will eventually be returned.
Sean
Lucia,
I would not worry about the series I wrote last year because things have changed. If you missed the first article in this years series go to http://www.socialmediasonar.com.
Sean
Sean,
I’ll be reading your articles from a different perspective. That of a job seeker and I think they will be of great value.
Looking forward to your series! Appears substantive without the fluff! I’m comfortable with Twitter and FB, but remain “awkward” where LN is concerned. If, by the end, you can get me off to a roaring start, I’ll be a happy lady, indeed!
(Thanks!)
Phyllis Walker
Sean, what perfect timing. I have recently decided to revisit my LinkedIn account and take it to the next level. I look forward to your next 9 posts and learning from your wisdom.
Nina Anderson
Kurt,
I don’t talk much about job searching, yet everything you do in terms of optimizing your profile, expanding your reach, and communicating your message is relevant.
Good Luck.
Sean
Phyllis,
I try to write it like I would say it. No reason to beat around the bush.
Thanks for reading.
Sean
Nina,
Hopefully the articles will provide some help.
Sean
Hi Sean,
I’m excited to know more about how to expand my company.
Thank you for the information!
Nicholas Steiner
Nicholas,
Thanks for the comments. Read as much as possible and simply do it. Over time it will beging to make more sense.
Sean