Social Networking the LinkedIn Way by Donna McDine




Social Networking the LinkedIn Way

By Donna M. McDine

I know I know I can hear your disgruntled gulp in your throat, “Yikes, another social network to participate in? No way, no how!” I too feel the same way at times, but definitely not with LinkedIn! I don’t want to bore you with boring statistics, but it’s important for you to know…
  • There are over 150 million professionals on LinkedIn.*
  • With over 1 million professionals joining each week, hence two professional join every second.*
  • Members are 2X more confident with information shared on LinkedIn than any other social site.*
  • Members use LinkedIn not only for networking, they are reading business news and studying trends.*

*2012 Social Media Examiner, Mario Sundar              
                                       
Please don’t fade away, these statistics matter to you. With the confidence level of information shared between members this provides an arena to build your expertise through varying networks. Oftentimes authors (as well as other professionals) fall into the rut of networking with only their peers, when we truly need to broaden our scope beyond our colleagues. LinkedIn if used correctly goes well beyond this and the thought process of only being an online resume.

First, if you haven’t already signup and setup your LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com. It’s easy and they provide step by step directions to provide your information. Once you have your profile setup follow these five points to engage with fellow LinkedIn members:

  1. Seek new connections daily and send invites. LinkedIn has a fabulous Advanced People Search broken down into several different categories… keywords, title, location, company, school, first and last name, country, and postal code. (i.e., elementary school teachers, librarians, the list is endless).
  2. Don’t forget to reply back directly to your new connection once confirmation is received (i.e., I’m delighted to connect with you at LinkedIn and look forward to learning more about you).
  3. Research groups of interest the same way for people connections. Join and become active through conversations, questions and answers.
  4. Update your status consistently with a course of action for visitors with either a question or interesting news article (i.e., “New Google table to go against Fire” by Michael Liedtke, Associated Press and include link).
  5. Engage with fellow members by sharing and commenting on their status updates, send private emails, etc.).

Automating your blog and twitter handle feed is okay, but if you don’t engage personally connections will not feel compelled to engage with you. I know for myself, the constant automation of customer service lines, doctor offices, etc., frustrates me to no end. I want to talk to a live person that knows what they are talking about.

Don’t fall into robot automation. Let your personality shine through cyberspace through consistent engagement. I’m sure you will be pleased with your results. 


Until next time…

Donna M. McDine
Publicist & Award-winning Children's Author

Donna’s Website: http://www.donnamcdine.com
Write What Inspires You Blog: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com
Author PR Services: http://www.authorprservices.com

4 comments:

Karen Cioffi said...

Donna, Thanks for the great information on Linkedin. It's a useful tool that anyone promoting a service in particular should be a part of.

Magdalena Ball said...

A good reminder Donna. LinkedIn is a key part of any social networking scene because its reach and focus is quite different and distinct to other social networks. One hint for it is to design your profile there to suit the LinkedIn audience, which is very much more business oriented than say, Facebook or Twitter.

Mary Jo Guglielmo said...

A good reminder, although for me it's about finding time.

Donna McDine said...

Ladies,

My apologies for my very late response in checking. I agree Maggie, LinkedIn is much more professional and gives one the opportunity to seek out contacts for target markets.

Ahhh...there is never enough time in the day. I've resolved myself to the fact I do what I can do and not get anxious about it.

Thank you one and all for visiting and commenting.

Warm regards,
Donna

10 Common Challenges Many New Novelists Face

by Suzanne Lieurance New novelists often encounter a range of challenges as they begin writing their book.  Here are 10 of the most common p...