Two events surprised me around professional networking site LinkedIn recently.
First, a long time friend who shuns all online social interaction, joined LinkedIn and started connecting. He told me that he knew it was important if or when he looked for a new job. I was astounded that LinkedIn had enough potential benefit to draw him online.
Second, I found out my local CareerTech blocks students (high school age and adults) from accessing all social networks, including LinkedIn. Instead of blocking them, I think it should be a requirement for students to create their profile on LinkedIn. And I’d really like to see students learn social networking skills, rather than be locked out.
Now, believe it or not, I do have something more to go with this. Back in May, Lewis Howes gave me a copy of the book LinkedWorking that he co-authored with Frank Agin. It gives you a whole bunch of techniques to make LinkedIn work.
I liked the approach they took. Each section starts with a technique drawn from in-person networking, then applies it to LinkedIn, and then gives a success story of someone using that technique. No one person could possibly be the success story for all the techniques, which I think is an important lesson. Don’t try to do everything this book outlines. Pick the most promising strategies and pursue them strongly.
It’s a short book, a quick read. And if it stimulates you to adopt a new technique that improves your networking, then it’s worth it.
New to SmallBizSurvival.com? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates.
- How small town businesses can market to remote workers and turn them into new customers - May 15, 2023
- Survey of Rural Challenges 2023 results - May 8, 2023
- Rural and small town ideas from the OU Placemaking Conference IQC 2023 - April 5, 2023
- Rural tourism trends say small towns are still cool - March 27, 2023
- Move Your Money and Bank Local - March 22, 2023
- Using a building as a warehouse or storage in a small town? Put up a sign - March 13, 2023
- How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail stores - February 19, 2023
- Check your small business website for outdated pandemic changes, missing info - January 31, 2023
- Rural Tourism Trend: electric vehicle chargers can drive visitors - January 15, 2023
- 2023 trends for rural and small town businesses - December 26, 2022
LinkedIn is really starting to take a hold of me now! I agree with you on your point regarding high school kids required. If it were an elective offered at high schools, they would stand a better chance later on.
I wasn’t aware of LinkedWorking until now, thanks for the heads up.