I'm curious to learn what your experience has been so far. There have been many posts by Guy and others about how to use this medium effectively. Here are some ways in which I have used LinkedIn:
- To connect with people I know and have done work with over time, especially those who have supported some of the side projects and volunteer activities I engage in -- I have also provided referrals and testimonials
- To learn more about people I have met at networking events -- sometimes there isn't so much time to tell it all and before a follow up lunch or breakfast with someone, I like to learn more about their work and focus so I can be helpful
- To connect with many of the bloggers I have met in recent months -- this is the most fun part as many of us have a blog identity and a LinkedIn identity
- To help contacts connect with someone they are trying to reach through people in my network
- To inform my network in this medium about changes in my professional focus and work -- in the next few months, hopefully I will announce a new job (yes, I am looking for a new opportunity)
These are kind of reactive ways of using the tool. On the proactive side, I have seen it used effectively to broadcast attendance to a conference or meeting to connect with other people who might also attend. More recently, people in my network have used it as a medium through which to ask business questions. For those of you who have: how's that going?
And maybe you can suggest some more ways you have found this tool useful or share about an experience you had in finding business opportunities through LinkedIn.
There are other useful ways, I'm sure. I do wonder about those people who develop huge networks: do they really know everyone? I have many contacts through different professional organization and business networks, probably in the several hundreds. If I look at my Palm, there are more than 1,500 contacts, which I update rigorously as I touch base and ping people. And I also wonder if you ever had to let someone go from your network. I did.
Maybe there are different philosophies or schools of thought on linking. I link to people I know and have met in real life or through ongoing conversations -- over time. I think that there is greater value to my network if all of my connections are known entities. Others are comfortable adding people as they meet them, thus their network grows faster. It sounds a lot like blogging, doesn't it?
If we think of blogrolls as connections, then it's not quite so black and white. Some people do impress us faster than others, perhaps because they connect with our way of thinking and we build on each other's ideas well. And of course, we have better chemistry with some people. Yet blogging is different, or it should be, in that content is shared over time, and we engage in dialogues more often than not. I am very thankful for that: the more I learn about someone, the more helpful I can be to them in finding topics, business, and other contacts.
I suppose the answer should also take into account this question. Is LinkedIn about connections or is it about people?
I've been reticent to proactively use Linked In. I just don't want my competitors perusing my rolodex... It's a small market in DC>
Posted by: Geoff Livingston | April 16, 2007 at 11:54 PM
We're supposed to use Linkedin for more than just keeping score on who has the biggest network? Huh.
Kidding! I've found it helpful in filling consulting assignments and connecting others who don't use Linkedin to valuable resources.
Posted by: Joe Raasch | April 17, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Geoff -- I don't know that others who are not in your network can see who is in it readily. I might be wrong. DC a small market? We shall talk offline about this. Maybe I can help you expand your connections.
Joe -- yeah, these are not collector's items. Because I connect only to people I have met and know, I would be able to do the same as you: engage consultants and trainers for onsite and off site assignments.
But the larger question here is if LinkedIn is more about the connections than it is about the people.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | April 17, 2007 at 08:09 PM
it's about connections. people may come later if you are that kind of person willing to share ans have a conversation.
Posted by: gianandrea facchini | April 18, 2007 at 02:49 AM
Gianandrea:
It's about the people -- and then the connections. It always starts with people, then conversations, then connections.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | April 18, 2007 at 02:53 PM
I agree with you Valeria. As someone who has a very large LinkedIn network, I open my network up to help people who might need help. Because it's all permission based, if I don't know you, I probably won't recommend you to anyone else, nor am I likely to pass along your note to someone else with anything other than a "this person wants to contact you."
From the people, it goes to the conversation. What do you need, and how I can help you? What do you do? What's your passion? What would you like to do? Why do you do what you do?
Then, we get connected. I know what you need, and I can now proactively help you. If I enjoy your writing, and you're trying to get into the writing market, I might encourage you to look through my LinkedIn network to see if someone fits your needs, and if so, ask me to do a real introduction. I'm happy to do so if I feel it would be a fit. Not all connections are interested in this, and that's great by me.
So people, conversations, connections, and hopefully, friendships. As for keeping score, I'd say "How's that working for you?" and answer with a "Not very well." It's like driving a red sports car. Look at me, look at me.
It's not all about me. It's all about YOU.
Sorry for the long comment. I'll put up a post at my blog with all of this too. Maybe others have ideas?
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | April 24, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Phil:
There is no extra charge for longer comments, as there isn't for 4-color, online.
You describe well the philosophy I follow, too. If people invest the time, then they develop connections.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | April 25, 2007 at 08:58 AM
First off, nice post, Valerie.
I use LinkedIn both as a living rolodex of people I've met or known through different facets of my life, a search tool to find and reconnect with old colleagues and friends, and most importantly my online identity: http://tinyurl.com/2bmg72.
To me... LinkedIn is all about the people I know.
Mario from LinkedIn
Posted by: Mario Sundar | May 02, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Very nice article, Valeria.
What's for me- LinkedIn is working, it has worked and it will work even better now! For me and the group of people (now The Milan-IN Board) we started a LinkedIn Club here in Milan two years ago- http://www.milanin.com
Linkedin is about people, if you're not a Head Hunter 'coz those need "the heads" or I'd better say CV's.
We're normal people, we use LinkedIn because it's the biggest in the world database of high-profile people, it's the great tool that gives to the one that's able to use it, lots of possibilities for career growth, searching for business partners and employees, and all other that a good on-line database with some nice social features could provide.
Plus it has some "magic spirit", thanks to the power of their brand.
what's missing here? the HUMAN factor, I told here "LinkedIn is about people" but however until you really meet them those are just profiles. In some best case those are "profiles with a soul", but there's something missing anyway!
what? Social Networking 2.0, it's the thing we trully believe in,
http://www.milanin.com/egroupware/sitemgr/sitemgr-site/Milan-IN-20
and it's the goal for why did we start two years ago Milan-IN, the Milan-City Club of LinkedIn Users, the Club that has recently become the first OFFICIAL LinkedIn Club in the World!
And we're proud of it (of course :lol:).
But apart from that award, we know the Social Networking 2.0 works better than just the traditional Networking (on-line), of course in a combination with "the on-line" power.
It has worked for us and now we have Social Life 2.0
http://www.milanin.com/egroupware/sitemgr/sitemgr-site/Club-life
so now I am very honest now when I say "LinkedIn is about people!".
you may want to check this-
http://www.milanin.com/egroupware/sitemgr/sitemgr-site/LinkedIn-Italia-Club
Thank you,
Andrey Golub, co-founder && IT/Web Manager- Business Club Milan-IN
http://www.milanin.com/members/andrey.golub/
Posted by: Andrey Golub | August 01, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Some of my clients encouraged me to join Linkedin for some time before I finally did. It sat idle for some time, but now the benefits have become apparent.
I almost lost contact with a friend/business associate, but quickly found her online. Answering and asking questions has opened up some conversations and connections.
Like anything, some networks give back what you put into them.
All my best,
Rich
Posted by: Richard Becker | August 03, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Andrey -- a Russian in Milano, you must have a fantastic story to tell. And from our initial conversation by email, as in your comment here, you seem quite passionate about LinkedIn and its value. I have written extensively on social networking in recent weeks so feel free to dig in and I'll do the same with your blog.
Richard -- another communicator, welcome. I see from your blog that we have some people in common, as well as some ideas. Thank you for stopping in and taking the time to join.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | August 03, 2007 at 07:24 PM