LinkedIn

[Jennifer Scott]

I've got almost 70 people in my LinkedIn network and 5 recommendations. Nothing else is happening except what I'm putting out...but I'm not sure how to make the most of the time spent with this social networking process...any thoughts would be most appreciated. Dave Cooke suggested that I put this out for discussion. I've also signed up for the next WWN seminar 8/27.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS DISCUSSION. YOUR INPUT HELPS ME APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING, AND I PLAN TO PUT TO USE YOUR GOOD IDEAS. I NOW HAVE 114 CONTACTS IN MY NETWORK SINCE I POSTED THIS DISCUSSION QUESTION ON 8/27 AND A TOTAL OF 8 RECOMMENDATIONS. ONWARD!

Jennifer Scott

[Steve Heideman]

Hi Jennifer!
As a seasoned LinkedIn user, allow me to shed some light on this whole "LinkedIn thing". LinkedIn, like a lot of other social networks--and life for that matter, requires active participation. You cannot just passively sit back and wait for business to come to you--you must go get it.

Here is an example--I see from your information that you help golfers become better by focusing on the mental aspects of the game. I assume then, that you would do well to network with professionals who also have golfers as their target market. I just did a search for "golfer" in my advanced search box--here is a screenshot:

I have 143 professionals in my network who work with golfers. So, if I were you, I would contact these folks who are in your 2nd or 3rd tier network (You most likely know the 1st tier folks ;-)) and set up a live face to face with them to see if there is some synergy.

LinkedIn ettiquite says that you should ask for an introduction first. I always do that because as you know, a warm referral is always better than a cold call. If you click on the professionals you want to get introduced to, there is a "get introduced" link right next to their information on the top right corner of their profile. That would be the first step to use LinkedIn to build your business.

Anyone else have suggestions for Jennifer??

[Jennifer Scott]

Steve,

Thank you so much for your input. I don't want to sit by passively. Just have to learn more tools. I'll contact those golfers you suggested for introductions. Also, when I spoke to you at the last WWN seminar, I asked you how to get the LinkedIn's icon on my Outlook tool bar. I used to have it and it disappeared. Is there a way I can also get WWN's icon on my Outlook toolbar so I can go directly to it. I also wish that WWN would email a notification when there are contributors to a discussion. Thanks again Steve.

[Steve Heideman]

Jennifer,
Here is a short video on using LinkedIn. This may help you as well!
http://worldwebinarnetwork.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/linkedin-in-pla...
It is from the WWN Blog.

[Jennifer Scott]

Thanks Jenifer. I'll look into this. Good idea!

[M. Lisa Forner]

Cool ideas! My suggestion: Check out the "Answers" sections, because they yield an interesting cross-section of interests. You can get specific by clicking on a subarea.

I've answered some questions and posted a few. I got a contract to do preliminary editing of a style guide for a writer/editor who works with coaches. http://www.forcoacheswhowrite.com/styleguide.html

AND I answered a business/technical writer's query for a proofreader. I upgraded that to copyediting and now have a small, steady flow from this source. Thanks Marty!

[Jennifer Scott]

I hadn't thought of that. A very cool idea and congratulations on what you've accomplished. It's inspiring.

[Christine Springer]

Jennifer:

I joined TopLinked.com and now have close to 3000 connections. At first it was fun to have the biggest pile of connections, but I now see the real value of being connected to all these individuals.

A lot of people argue that they don't see any value in connecting with people they don't know. I agree to a certain extent with this philosophy, but my experience is that your network is only as good as the people in it, and if you're not adding to your network, what use is it?

I receive about 200 new connection requests each week and my network is constantly growing. If you don't see the benefit in connecting with people you don't know, consider this: my profile hits increased dramatically because I'm now in a lot more people's network, who are in turn well networked, and so on. I also receive opportunities delivered right into my inbox because someone in my first level of connections is looking for someone or something.

I sent out my company's first newsletter a week ago, which included people from my LinkedIn network from all over the world. That first newsletter netted me three new clients and several potentials. One is in the UK and the others are all outside of Arizona. The client from the UK actually chose my services over an attorney here in Phoenix simply because I was in his network!

At only $30 to join, it was the best return on an investment I've ever seen!

Hope this helps.

Christine

[Jennifer Scott]

Thanks Christine. Can you tell me more about TopLinked? Sounds interesting. Has that network increased the connections you now have.? You've got me thinking....

[Christine Springer]

Check it out at www.TopLinked.com. My network went from 180 connections a few months ago to around 3000 now. My network is constantly growing.

[Matthijs Bobeldijk]

Hi Jennifer,

Another thing you could do is setting up your own Linkedin group around a theme that you are interested in. For instance 'golfers with a lack of concentration'. I set up a group as well; 'music-innovations'. I could say it works. Since the start of the group this year 375 users of Linkedin joined the group. I did not do anything to promote this group Yet.

Hope this helps as well.

[Jennifer Scott]

Yes this helps. I like your idea, and I'll do it!