Jenny in GA Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I have a small business and have been using LinkedIn for over a couple years, and I'm still wondering exactly how it's supposed to be helpful or what the point is. I have almost 300 connections, a nice photo, and a pretty complete profile. Whenever I connect with someone, I send them an e-mail thanking them for the connection, introducing myself briefly, and pointing them to my business website. Three years and 300 connections later, nothing has ever come of this. I've never gotten to know any of these people better, certainly never been contacted for work or any other reason ... it's like it's just been collecting names to click on, and nothing more. I'm not complaining -- just feeling like I'm missing something. So ... how do others use LinkedIn?? How is one "supposed" to use it? What, if anything, has LinkedIn "done for you"? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enviromommy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I don't have an answer, but will be watching this thread. I started working as a freelance translator a year ago, and recently at an industry conference several speakers recommended a list of marketing steps to take, including having a good profile on LinkedIn. I was also wondering what exactly it would accomplish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 My husband found his current job via LinkedIn. So, no advice about how it might be helpful as a business owner... but it helped us quite a bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I've gotten an invitation to join someone's group or whatever. I don't know what it is or how it works so I've ignored it. What is it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 DH finds it useful. He has used it to keep in contact/reconnect with industry colleagues, and he has used it while looking for a new hire. Its usefulness might depend on the type of industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 LinkedIn is where you put those business contacts that you don't want on FB....:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Dh has had several headhunters and prospective employers find him this way... Too bad he isn't looking right now. We know others that have found useful connections through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 LinkedIn is where you put those business contacts that you don't want on FB....:D :iagree: It is 100% professional for me. I don't really use it for anything, though. I do accept connection requests from individuals I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 LinkedIn is where you put those business contacts that you don't want on FB....:D I'm not in business or anything so wondering why would I be asked to join? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in GA Posted November 15, 2012 Author Share Posted November 15, 2012 Dh has had several headhunters and prospective employers find him this way... Too bad he isn't looking right now. We know others that have found useful connections through it. How has this worked, though?? You mean just one day out of the blue he got an e-mail from a total stranger who said he got his name from LinkedIn and they'd like to hire him? I guess I'd like to know how/what the people who've found useful connections are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 (edited) I use LinkedIn to keep in touch with colleagues from my pre-homeschooling corporate career days. I don't connect with anyone I don't know personally - everyone I'm connected to, I have either worked with or know fairly well in some other capacity. It's a great way to keep up with what's going on in my industry (I belong to several LinkedIn groups as well) and to touch base with people from time to time. I've had several people contact me for references and job leads, and I know these connections will be helpful for me when I'm ready to re-enter the workforce. OP, it sounds like you're connecting with people you don't know that well, or just "know" from LinkedIn? Are there any LinkedIn groups for your industry or type of business? Those might be a good way to establish stronger connections with potential clients or referral partners, so that you get more of a benefit out of LinkedIn. Many groups have very active forums where people post questions related to that group's particular focus - answering questions in those forums is a great way to establish yourself as an expert and drive traffic back to your profile and/or website. ETA: not sure why there's a "thumbs-down" graphic at the top of my post - I'm typing from my phone so I guess must have accidentally put that there... ;-) Edited November 15, 2012 by Dandelion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 While interviewing my dh he had a supervisor that had his linked in page up and was discussing the projects he had worked and the people he knew. We only do connects of people that we know. Dh is a contractor and is in a fairly small community of workers where lots of people know lots of other people. It does help him. He has also been contacted by recruiters as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.