Most people use LinkedIn to increase their professional network in order to expand their client base, form a business partnership, collaborate on a project, or find employment. This free online service works well, because it is a professional network of more than 60 million members. However, even with its ever expanding membership LinkedIn is an online tool which is often under-utilized.
The following are five ways to increase a professional network to take advantage of the value and power of this online tool.
Networking: Being Involved Within the Network
The following are proactive strategies for being involved within LinkedIn groups and a network. These strategies include:
- using the Network Activity function to keep the network apprised of business actions, blog posts, and other activities
- staying on top of Network updates to learn if someone within the network has been promoted or switched jobs to a company of interest
- listing all e-mail addresses in the profile for others to maintain contact
- maintaining contact with previous colleagues and employers who have LinkedIn accounts and may provide recommendations
- importing Outlook and Webmail contacts
- using LinkedIn Answers as a means to network with others
Promoting oneself is another area being under-utilized by many members of LinkedIn. Publicizing one's profile URL should be accomplished at every possible opportunity. This provides opportunities to show case experience, knowledge, and skills. This URL should be placed on every document used to communicate with clients, potential employers, colleagues, and partners.
Examples include business cards, e-mail signatures, flyers or brochures, webinars, presentations, and newsletters. Other strategies include:
- using LinkedIn Direct Advertising services for viewing by targeted audiences
- finding and inviting guest bloggers from within a person’s professional network for profile publicity and marketing on a blog with quality content
- placing a person’s profile on their website or blog for indexing by search engines
- using LinkedIn Answers to pose questions for advertising expertise , experience, and interests
- using Twitter to promote professional activities, collaborations, and actions
Recommendations: Using Connections to Full Advantage
Obtaining at least three recommendations from members of a professional network is essential for having a complete profile and often under-utilized. Of course, more than three recommendations increase the opportunity for networking. These recommendations can be obtained from clients, partners, co-workers, etc. The value of these recommendations include:
- providing a positive social reference similar to print letters of recommendation
- lowering barriers potential clients and other professionals may have regarding contacting someone
- providing an edge over competition without recommendations
Web Presence: Customizing Blog and Website URLs
Customizing website links in the profile section is important for allowing potential clients, business partners, and other interested parties the opportunity to view a person’s professional skills and background. This under-utilized feature is quite evident when checking profiles on LinkedIn. Taking advantage of this customization provides additional edge over competition.
Instead of listing websites by only indicating “My Blog, My Portfolio, and My Company” customize these to reflect their name and purpose. For example the websites section may be customized to read “Digital Solutions Blog, Technology Education and Experience, and Digital Solutions, Inc.”
Connections: Taking Advantage of all Levels
Success with LinkedIn is based on the number of connections someone has with other professionals. However, one of the under-utilized features of having connections is limiting contacts to the first level only. There is also a second and third level of connections which should not be ignored.
Never forget about these additional levels when searching for others to support collaboration projects, find clients, collaborate on business opportunities, and find job prospects. Once promising professionals are located, then they can be contacted using information they provided on LinkedIn. Another valuable alternative method is using first level connections introductions to establish contact with others.
These five ways of increasing a professional network using LinkedIn provide a competitive edge for people using this online service to manage their professional career. The business world is an every changing arena and to survive people need to evolve with the changing environment. Taking advantage of every opportunity this online tool offers assists in placing the person on the leading edge of the knowledge and skills curve.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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