LinkedIn & why you should be…

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Linked in can be a great tool when used effectively.  It is a business social networking platform that shares many features and concepts with Facebook and Twitter but is geared toward professional information sharing rather information of a personal nature.

By creating a profile on LinkedIn, you open yourself up for networking with professionals in varying industries to learn, share information and experiences, market yourself and stay up to date on trends and happenings within your areas of interest and expertise.  There are a number of structured groups that you can request to join, and where upon approval you can participate in “discussions” that are pertinent to the particular group.  Below, for example I’ve shown 3 “discussions” within the group Professional Photography.  There are many more discussions going on within this group, but this is just an example.  The first topic is on Eye-Fi cards, the second on complaining corporate customers and how to resolve an issue and the third is focussed on color space.  So you can see how the exchange of ideas and advice create a forum like atmosphere that has more of an exclusive appeal.

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Not only do groups allow you to get real world answers to some of your most daunting questions, but they also can help you with your marketing activities in the digital media space and other areas.  Are you on Facebook, Twitter, other social media platforms?  Do they scare you?  Do you have questions about them?  Try the group Digital Marketing Professionals, introduce yourself as a beginner in digital marketing and get ready to learn.  Below are 3 discussion examples on Facebook vs. websites, increasing website traffic and SEO (search engine optimization) help.

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So you’re getting the picture.  There is a lot of useful information on LinkedIn when it is used properly.  In regard to the time you decide to dedicate to the platform, that is entirely up to you.  I would recommend getting on for a couple of times per week for 30 minutes or so, making connections, joining groups and participating in discussions.  Remember, you get out what you put in, so if you have useful information to share or questions you can answer then do so freely and often.

I hope this post was helpful.  We appreciate comments and thanks for reading!

Drew | [email protected] | 231-932-0855 x 11