7/19/2010 2:28:00 PM
You're on LinkedIn, but are you linked in?
Social media experts give advice on the ultimate networking tool
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By Katie Morell
Contributing Writer
In the dynamic and constantly changing social media landscape, one Web site stands out as an essential tool for 21st-century networking: LinkedIn.
“There is no such thing as a blind date anymore and there is no such thing as a blind meeting,” said Amy Ravit Korin, founder of Chicago-based Interactive Amy Social Media Consulting. “Before anyone meets you, they research you online. LinkedIn is one of the first things that come up when they search for your name.”
LinkedIn is a professional networking tool where people can create their own Web page, or profile. On that page, users are able to attach a photo of themselves, a description of their current position, a list of past jobs held and education information. Once a profile is created, the user can search for former colleagues or friends by name or company and then ask them to connect.
Over time, users can collect an unlimited number of connections, thereby expanding their network. Through this network, users can ask for recommendations to be posted on their profile for public view, look for jobs, ask for references, and post announcements, or status updates, about work-related activities.
Officials at Hursthouse Landscape Architects & Contractors in Bolingbrook recently signed on to LinkedIn for the first time.
“We are just starting to use it,” said Terre Houte, director of client services. “We are going to start a company profile, but for now we have individual profiles. To me, it is amazing. It offers incredible networking capabilities. It has been like a business directory for us. It is another way for us to put our brand out there. It is another way for us to be visible. It is a great way for people to find us.”
Baby steps
Starting out, it is important to make sure your profile is in tip-top shape, according to Barbara Rozgonyi, social medial expert and CEO of Glen Ellyn-based CoryWest Media, LLC.
“If you are trying to create a profile for your business, look at a few competitors’ profiles first, then create your own,” she advises. “Make sure you have a photo and a professional headline. Instead of saying just the name of the company or what your title is, draw out the headline to include information about what you do or your company does. You want to give people an opportunity to see who you are and what you do right away.
“Then look at your e-mail list of contacts. Go through and select the people that you know really well, then invite them to connect with you.”
After making connections with old friends, family members and colleagues, past and present, Rozgonyi suggests joining a group.
“Joining a group is a great way to meet people locally and in your industry,” she said. “Once you’ve joined, invite those people to be part of your network. It is like passing around your business card virtually.”
On your profile page under your name, position and company is a box that reads “post an update.” Rozgonyi recommends populating that box with updates about your professional life, such as a promotion, as well as information on things others may find interesting.
“Tell people what is going on with you,” she suggests. “You can also comment on other people’s updates.”
When writing updates, it is important not just to talk about yourself, but to also post information that may be of interest to others, said Jeff Willinger, director of social computing at Chicago-based Rightpoint.
“If all you are going to do is talk about yourself, no one is going to care,” he said. “But if you put out information, people will begin to trust you and pay attention.”
Willinger suggests creating your own group on LinkedIn.
“If you want to brand yourself, you should start a group,” he said, adding that acting as group administrator is a great way to brand yourself as an expert.
LinkedIn Do’s
Ravit Korin believes there is a right and a wrong way to use LinkedIn.
Here are a just a few pieces of advice:
Complete your profile
“Fill out your profile until it is 100 percent complete,” she said. “That means putting a picture on there. Make sure it is a serious, professional photo.”
Change the URL
“When you set up your profile, LinkedIn will give you a link (URL address) that will link to your profile, usually with numbers at the end. You can customize that. Make sure to put your name or your business’s name in the address instead.”
Customize company name
“On your profile page, where it lists ‘my company’ and ‘my blog,’ change the name to the actual name of your company or blog.”
Describe past positions
“Even if it is an old job, include one or two sentences about your responsibilities. Remember that LinkedIn is a living, breathing copy of your resume.”
Frequently update
“I recommend updating your status at least once a week. That way, it will be included in weekly roundup updates that appear in people’s inboxes.”
LinkedIn Don’ts
Be specific
“When you are sending an invitation request, don’t only use the generic LinkedIn message. Add one or two sentences to personalize it. It will help the recipient.”
Pick and choose
“Don’t just blindly invite everyone. Think carefully about who you want to bring into your professional network. If you have questions about having an association with someone, think twice.”
Keep it confidential
“Don’t share anything proprietary. Anything you put on the Internet is searchable and archiveable. It is best to think first.”
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