I’ve written about LinkedIn many times — you merely have to click this LinkedIn blog tag to read my archives. Think of LinkedIn.com as a Chamber of Commerce to Facebook’s after-hours party and MySpace’s all-night rave.
Three months ago, I wrote an article with 10 assumptions on how you use LinkedIn as a professional networking tool, and I included tips for improvement.
Due to an influx of visitors that are reading my blog — and observations of recent usage on the site — I’d like to echo my August advice:
- If you have a LinkedIn profile, please keep it updated.
- Fill your profile with colorful language, not drab resume-speak.
- Write in first-person, not third.
- Include a picture. Ideally, use the same picture you have on other social networks.
- Join a group. Prove to me that you can connect to random people who share your beliefs.
- Ask questions. Answer questions. Be part of the community; don’t be static.
- Don’t be someone’s connection just because he or she asked you. You can always decline.
- Don’t ask someone to be your connection just because he or she is your friend or is on another network with you.
- Recommend your connections whether or not they are looking for a job. Ask your connections to recommend you.
- If you feel inspired, here is my LinkedIn profile (which I am continually updating). Feel free to send me an invitation to connect.
If you opt to invite me to connect with you on LinkedIn, please do not send me the default message:
Dear Ari,
I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
-John
Treat an invitation like a miniature cover letter for a job. Sell me on the idea that we should be connected to each other, whether because of common values or interests, or because you’d like to do business together. In other words, edit the default message.
Unless you’re seeking to hire me or work with me on some project, please don’t invite me without a common history. Maybe you’ve commented on my blog enough times I can recognize your voice. Perhaps we’ve exchanged online or offline messages. Or did we meet at a conference?
Anyone can buy and sell in an eBay transaction. If you don’t treat me as a number to add to your list of connections, I’ll treat you as a name — and someone I can trust and respect.
For related information, please read Chris Brogan’s advice on recommending LinkedIn connections.
Photo credit: cseward @ Flickr
About Ari Herzog
My recommendation for #11? Use a LinkedIn application.
Post slide presentations (SlideShare), mark conferences you are attending or speaking at (Events), and import blog posts with the WordPress application.
These are all open social apps and will leverage your social graph in the linkedin context, but connect to your accounts on external services as well.
John Eckman´s last blog post..Links for 2008-11-17 [ma.gnolia]
Hi Ari
Very useful article. I was invited to join LinkedIn a couple of months ago and joined, but am not really sure still what to expect beyond it being another type of social network. I know it is to be taken seriously and for professionals, but do people actually attract jobs using it?
Forgive me if I sound completely ignorant of what it is about, but I just have not invested the right time to get to know it, due to the thinking that it does not have that much to offer.
Evita´s last blog post..Vegetarian Recipe: Leek and Lentil Soup
Nice tips Ari!
I would love to see a post on what you think companies should do with their corporate LinkedIn profiles.
-Josh
Regarding #5, I have found that not only are groups fantastic for keeping up with an industry and professional development, but the best way to find quality connections. People active in groups are much more active networkers, share resources, advice, etc. And are much more logical connections if they are members of groups in your industry.
Obviously I am a huge advocate for participating in groups.
Thanks for the great tips. Here are some of my own tips and tricks, including using LinkedIn as a CRM: http://www.minutebio.com/LI/PowerTips.htm
Jeff Goldman´s last blog post..Audience Take-aways From LinkedIn Training
Thanks for the comment, Jeff. You remind me I should update this post with a revision. Version 3, if you will.
But you’re right: Group members, when active, are noticed and appreciated among the collective.
Hi Ari, thanks for the article. One thing though:
You say: Write in first-person, not third.
=> Looking at your profile on Linkedin, you are using third person.
So what do you recommend? 1st or 3rd?
I wrote the above post five years ago. At the time, I championed first person. I subsequently changed my perspective to either first or third. Use whichever you prefer.