Have you joined Linkedin but you’re not sure why?

Over the past few months when I have been talking about using social networking for business one of the most common comments I have had is along the lines of

“I was invited to join Linkedin by someone I know but I have no idea what to do with it”

or even

“I have been invited to join Linkedin by someone I know – but I don’t know why I should bother”

If you are that person here are some suggestions  which just might help.

Create a directory

If you do nothing else with it Linkedin is a great place to hold all of the  contact details of the people you are connected with – your “contacts” in Linkedin terms. Then instead of having to have their individual e-mail addresses to hand you can use the Linkedin “Send a Message” function in the top right hand of the page. Depending on how the recipient has it set up the  message will probably still end up in their regular e-mail inbox in any case.

And you can pretty much do away with using your business card box ( or scrabbling through your drawer/wallet/handbag if you are less organised) to find their details.

And when you are comfortable doing that you could consider…

Regular updates

The small box at the top of your “home” page is for updates.  Filling that in from time to time will mean that you appear in the  “status updates” list on your contacts’ own home pages. This is the perfect place to announce a new contract, promote a new service/product, tell your contacts something newsworthy…something that might give them a reason to be in touch ( especially useful if you would like to do business with them!)

People often say to me that I always seem to be up to something new and interesting. That means a couple of things – that they notice that I update that box a couple of times a week – and that they read what I post!

In a way it is similar to bumping into someone in the street or at a conference – except there is less effort required. Really!

So after trying that you might want to look for people you would like to connect – or reconnect – with.

Find people and invite them to join your network

Linkedin tries to make this easy for you so gives you a number of ways to do this.

• Firstly you can do a search for people in the search box on the top right hand of the page
• When you join Linkedin offers to search your e-mail addess book for people who are already members
• In addition – as your community grows – Linkedin will make suggestions of people you might know based on your existing contacts
• When you click on any of your contacts ( or indeed when looking at pages for those not already on your list)  on the bottom right hand side of the page there is a “How you are connected to..” box – which tells you – well you get the picture

And when you know that…

Ask for introductions

Linkedin’s criteria for connecting with people is outlined each time you “Add xxx to your network” – using the link at the top right hand of your page which include having done business or working with that person ( which means you have to identify where that was from your profile), that you share a group, that you are a friend – in which case you are asked to put in their e-mail address ( which – though not foolproof – does mean that you have to do a bit of work to at least find it ). If  none of those apply then you should ask someone you do know that knows them to introduce you. Why would they do that?..well at some point in the future you might just be able to do them the favour back. Which brings me to …

Get recommended

Your profile should be full of details of your experience to allow a client to consider working with you, a potential employer to check you out or even a similar business to offer you a collaboration opportunity.   Linkedin allows you to enhance this with testimonials – or “recommendations “.  Try recommending someone yourself and see how that feels – and indeed see what response you get ! Of course you should focus on asking people who have had a good experience of working with you to give you a recommendation  – and you always have the chance to reject one if you don’t want/like it.

That should be enough to get most people started but if you are still stuck get in touch. I offer coaching for using linkedin face to face in Edinburgh and by phone for everywhere else.  With an hour of your time and a of £60 - the possibilities are endless.

Here’s what others have said about the coaching

“If, like me, you are registered on Linkedin but don’t really know why, a session with Jackie would be really beneficial to you. I actually enjoy using social media for business now, thanks to Jackie. ” Valerie

“Jackie imparts her knowledge in a systematic and enthusiastic way and at no time did I feel foolish for knowing so little. This is mainly because she makes it clear that her social networking expertise is based on a year and a half of trial and error.” Jeanette

“Jackie provides expert advice on getting started with social networking for those who are unclear as to how it can be used in their business. A one to one session got me off to a flying start.” Hazel

jackie@consultcameron.com

07775 823862