A M O N T H LY
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE BUSINESS WORLD AND YOU OWN A COMPUTER YOU HAVE PROBABLY
MIKE WASNOROWICZ MSEA SOLUTIONS, INC.
HEARD OF LINKEDIN. YOU MAY EVEN HAVE A LINKEDIN PROFILE. SO WHO CARES? IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING YOUR BUSINESS, YOU SHOULD! LET ME EXPLAIN.
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Linkedin is the Facebook of the business world. Facebook provides a platform for you to network with family and friends in cyberspace, Linkedin provides a platform to network with business people. Don’t care about cyberspace? That would be a shame. Now, in the 21st century, cyberspace coexists with real space, and people, move back and forth between these spaces all the time. So how does Linkedin work? Let’s start with the Linkedin profile. It’s a kind of resume. This is where one establishes
their identity, their brand. There is a lot of information out there on how to build and maintain a great profile. The important thing is to have a good one and keep it fresh. To have a mediocre Linkedin profile would be like showing up to a Chamber event without having given any thought to your appearance. Millions of people use Linkedin for various reasons. Some will look at your profile. What kind of image do you want them to take away? Then there is the contacts list. In many ways this is like a Rolodex. Linkedin has several tools to help you build your contacts list. Once you identify someone you wish to connect with, you can send them an invitation to do so. As you meet others in the real world, perhaps at a Chamber event, you can invite them to connect with you too. Just like in real space, the larger your network the better. I also recommend joining several Linkedin groups like the Lakeland Chamber’s group and other meaningful groups. This is a great
way to rapidly expand your network. And now the best part! Lots of people use Linkedin just to communicate and network with other business people on line, but there are more strategic uses. Linkedin provides a wealth of information. Recruiters use Linkedin to find potential hires for their clients. Salespeople use Linkedin to look for potential customers. Want to know something about another business person before you meet with him or her? Look at their Linkedin profile. Want to know if you know anyone in a particular company? Linkedin will show you if and how you are connected. Would you like to know who knows the people you know? I’ve been known to look at my contacts’ Linkedin connections to see who they know, in hopes of finding someone they might be willing to refer me to. Want to know something on a business topic? Start a discussion. The Linkedin database is endless. The only limit is in how you choose to use it.