This article was last updated on May 19, 2022
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Part 1: The Benefits of LinkedIn as a tool to gain business.
Many of our clients ask us about social tools such as Twitter, Facebook, & YouTube among others.
As the most relevant tool to the modern day professional, this piece will take you through LinkedIn – what it is, how to use it and the benefits of creating your profile to
grow your brand both personally and as a business.
grow your brand both personally and as a business.
So what is this LinkedIn people keep talking about?
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. As of April 8/ 2010 (2010 -04-08)[update], LinkedIn had more than 65 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
What’s the point?
The purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection.
This list of connections can then be used in a number of ways:
- A contact network is built up consisting of their direct connections, the connections of each of their connections (termed second-degree connections) and also the connections of second-degree connections (termed third-degree connections). This can be used to gain an introduction to someone a person wishes to know through a mutual, trusted contact.
- It can then be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities recommended by someone in one’s contact network.
- Employers can list jobs and search for potential candidates.
- Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them.
- Businesses can connect with other companies and uncover opportunities.
Convince me.
LinkedIn also allows users to research companies with which they may be interested in doing business with. It allows you as a professional to network with over 65 million people and expand your business globally.
As an individual, it’s a fantastic place to research companies you’d like to work for, find opportunities before they hit the major job boards and even be found! This can only be done if you are prepared to create and maintain your brand and your image (see tips in previous articles). That, and being equipped with the tools to ace those interviews (see www.brandandland.com) getting that dream job can be made much simpler.
As a company, LinkedIn can be the place to grow your presence and brand by networking with perspective clients, joining and contributing to groups to build a reputation as well as posting work you’ve done and collecting testimonials (which you can add to your website and other mediums!)
How do I start?
Go to http://www.linkedin.com and follow the prompts under the Sign Up link. Here are my top 6 suggestions to consider when setting up your profile:
1) Include a picture of you that is warm and professional
2) Customize the URL to be unique, relevant and memorable remember. Mine is http://ca.linkedin.com/in/sanjug (feel free to add me!)
3) When requesting connections, customize your invitation – include how they know you, how you can benefit them by being a part of their network, and even how you hope to work with or for them in the future.
4) If you choose to use your work e-mail address, ensure you put your personal e-mail address as well just in case you leave a company and forget your password.
5) Ask for recommendations after you do great work. Don’t be afraid to offer a suggestion of what a good recommendation to you might look like. Most importantly though, Reciprocate, Reciprocate, Reciprocate!
6) Answer questions in your area of expertise, or recommend the questions you find to experts you know can answer them.
About the author: Sanju Ganglani
With over 7 years of experience with 3 of the largest hardware and software Fortune 500 companies, Sanju Ganglani is the president of gang&lani productions, Mississauga based custom marketing services company specializing in brand management, web marketing, event management and revenue generation planning. Sanju is also the co-founder of brand & land, where candidates and companies are assisted with building their brands and equipped with the tools to be successful with employment and client acquisitions.
You can reach him at sanju@gangandlaniproductions.com, find him on twitter @gangandlani,, on facebook, or please visit www.gangandlaniproductions.com or www.brandandland.com for more information
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