LinkedIn is probably the most misunderstood social network, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m among those that have not, until recently, taken advantage of it. I’ve been like a lot of others that have a profile but don’t keep it updated. So when Nathan Wright of Lava Row posted this event on the Social Media Club – Des Moines calendar, I was intrigued.
The sign behind him may have helped with attendance...
I wasn’t alone because well over 50 people came after work to hear Sam Mandolfo from LinkedIn give us a short presentation about LinkedIn’s past, present, and future. What LinkedIn is, for those who are not yet on it, is the larger social network geared towards professionals. You won’t find Farmville or blingee pictures there. It is, by design, a little boring. People go there to discuss business. When you go there, you’re thinking about your job/career.
I like to think of it as a dynamic, interactive resume. Chris Brogan calls it a “reputation engine.”
Some of the stats Sam brought up blew my mind.
- 60 million users
- Offices in countries around the world
And this one made us all cock our heads like my shih tzu does when you ask it if it wants to go for a ride in the car.
- 51% of LinkedIn users earn more than $100k per year.
Caaaaaaaan you say disposable income that could be spent on your campaign?
Two points that Sam brought up that I want to share:
- LinkedIn profiles rank high on Google. If and when a potential employer/client Googles your name (which they will do) they will hopefully see your LinkedIn profile and spend their time on that and not the police blotter story on page 2 from that time in college when you stole a goat for Rush Week. “Your reputation is ten blue links on a white background,” Sam said.
- Relationships matter. College alumni groups are huge on LinkedIn and having that connection to people can have real-world results. A startup in Ireland raised $230,000 in startup capital and was able to launch. Where’d they get it? Connections on LinkedIn.
Five things you can do to improve your LinkedIn profile.
- Add a professional picture. No more keg stands or kisseyface in the bathroom mirror, you Situation wannabes.
- Commit to updating your status and engaging. Although I discourage the practice, you can link your Twitter account to your LinkedIn status from the “edit profile” section.
- Start/Join an alumni network. Remember Sammy Stoner down the hall sophomore year? He owns half of North Dakota now. Hit him up for some of that sweet sweet venture cash.
- Applications. You can link your wordpress blog to your linkedin profile. Your posts will show up right there on your profile. There’s a reading list application, polls, a place to put that bitchin’ slideshow you spent all week on only to have the boss cancel that meeting because he had too many whiskey sours on the 16th hole yesterday.
- Start a group for your company. Invite input from your employees and shareholders.
That’s all for this post. Part 2 will have (depending on sound quality) video of a really good discussion during the Q&A.
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