Get Linked with LinkedIn

Most people I know who work in the consulting, technology or the internet sectors are members – although not all are active members – of LinkedIn.

What is LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social network for business people – a social network to help business people keep, make and build connections.

At it's basic, LinkedIn can be used as your virtual resume and at it's most complex, LinkedIn can become a major pipeline for business intelligence, client acquisition, business news and/or finding a job (if you are looking for a job)

How to get the most out of LinkedIn

1. Join
2. Fill out 100% of your profile, including your personal picture (corporate logos, although allowed initially, can be removed by LinkedIn). The profile is easy to update don't worry that you have to get every word just right the first time.
3. Make your profile public – this applies to almost everyone, of course there are a few special high-profile individuals who may not want the whole LinkedIn-verse to see their profile but still want a profile that they can share with specific individuals. Since most of us aren't those types of people – just make your profile public.
4. Use LinkedIn's applications to include your blog, twitter and slideshare accounts to your public profile
5. Add contacts by searching for current and past co-workers, employees, employers, associates, and alumni
6. Recommend some of people. If you know of a superstar, tell the world about it.
7. Join a group or two.
8. Spend a few minutes each day participating in your groups – lurking, reading, and answering questions.

Cautionary Note

Don't write anything you don't want your employers or clients knowing about. Changes made to your profile can be delivered to members of your contact list every week. So if you are currently employed yet you are looking for a job, you may not change your profile to "desperately seeking new employment". Remember almost 8 million people visited LinkedIN in January 2009 – you can bet someone you know is among those millions.

Should you and your have a LinkedIn Profile:

Absolutely yes.