Have you been approached to join LinkedIn yet? You most likely have, but like me, knew very little about it, joined and then nothing much happened, except for the occasional email from a stranger asking to connect with you. And so for a year I’ve just let my membership sit, with less than 50 contacts, from a few people in my own database and the occasional other. But recently I read a post in Des Walsh’s blog about LinkedIn that made me sit up and take notice. I had seen a post earlier in the year by Guy Kawasaki and I began to follow that up, but it came at a time when I really was rather busy and so couldn’t spend time reading and following links. Easter and a 4 day break meant that Des’ post was better timed for me and I began to explore.
What I found most interesting was the story about Stan Relihan who is Australia’s ‘most connected person’ through LinkedIn with over 5,000 connections. Stan is a Head Hunter and originally saw LinkedIn as an opportunity to view people’s resumes and find people for roles he was filling but it has grown far beyond that with the result of many overseas connections and people clamouring to get connected with him. Stan was interviewd about his experience with LinkedIn and how it has worked for him and you can hear the Podcast for this at GDay World Podcast Network. If you want to learn more about LinkedIn then listening to this podcast is a good start. Click on icon immediately under the title of the post.
Des’ post on his blog further highlighted other posts to read and two other networks worth considering – both are sub-networks of LinkedIn. One is for bloggers and the other for Australians. They are with yahoogroups and of course, I joined them, to find out more, only to meet one of my own team on the Australian LinkedIn list.
When you get invited to join networks of this kind it is worth doing the homework and exploring. I’ve been invited to join many and you don’t always see what’s under the surface on first look. So perhaps seeking out articles, Q&As or people who have been using those networks for awhile is an ideal way of learning more. The more I read the more I realise that I have been missing what LinkedIn is all about and it is a good way of remaining connected, or being reconnected, with people you have worked with in the past. Let’s face it, we all know that often it’s not what you know, but who you know when connecting in business. If you’re good at what you do, and people know it, they will refer you to others if they have the ability to do so. LinkedIn will help assist that process.
One thing that Stan was asked that I had also been concerned about and that was the possibility of spammers. He told the listener that LinkedIn is about connections with existing relationships, either direct or through someone else you know. Anyone found doing the wrong thing can be reported. And I doubt that will go down very well if people are working at building a profile to help develop business or career options.
Why not go back and explore it again? And if you wish, you are welcome to ask to be connected with me via LinkedIn – my profile can be found below.
LinkedIn, networking, business networks, connections, virtual assistant
Janet Barclay says
I too would like to learn to use LinkedIn properly, not just for my own benefit, but because clients often ask me about it!
Kathie T, Your VA Coach says
Hi Janet, click on my linkedin profile below and ask to connect. Use my email address of [email protected] – that way you’ll be linkedin with me and we’ll both help each other’s networks to grow. One of the things I’ve found that is really helping is to read through the new Answers section – there’s lots of useful info and the Q&A are categorised – there’s even a LinkedIn category.
Have fun exploring!
Allan Rodd says
I was wondering, Kathie, is there anything a VA can do to help a 69 year old small food manufacturer get my message to more people?
For the last 12 years I have been making a unique complimentary food called Uncle Harry’s Natraburgers. I have a lot of marketing experience but only two hands. Now here is the stupid part, my factory is in the centre of Sydney—opposit Olympic Park–but there is no public transport near it. I need help in the office but the only replies I received from a Sydney Univ. job listing were from newly arrived Chinese women studying accounting. Smart, yes, but not able to speak effectively with my customers, unfamiliar with the Sydney suburbs, and no transport.
So I read a short piece on the SMH Business site about VAs and decided to investigate.
What do you suggest I do next?
Kathie Thomas says
Go to my website Allan and fill out the job request form. Let us know what it is you want done and I guarantee you will hear from several VAs, all of whom will be very willing and very capable. I know you’ll find the right person!