Last night Miss Applesassy had the opportunity to socialize with many friends, old and new, during a Linked In Networking event in Columbus, OH.
Linked In is a popular and growing on line business networking tool. Some people call it “your on-line resume” but it is much more than that.
Linked In allows registered users to build a list of contacts they know and trust. Users can invite anyone to “connect” with them on Linked In.
Connections are used for business networking in a variety of ways:
- Direct contacts allow a user to find second and third degree connections and expand their network through introductions.
- Linked In users often use their networks to find jobs and business opportunities.
- Employers list jobs and search for potential candidates on Linked In.
- Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them.
Guy Kawasaki’s blog How To Change the World has an article that states “People with more than twenty connections are thirty-four times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than five, [and] that all 500 of the Fortune 500 are represented in LinkedIn.”
Linked In uses a “gated-access approach”. Connections are only allowed through preexisting relationships, or through introductions from a connection.
Some users claim Linked In does not work, but there is much evidence to the contrary. The key it seems, lies in the understanding that Linked In is a tool for networking, but does not replace networking. People who use linked In as a way to build real world relationships find the site incredibly helpful. Those who simply slap up their resume and expect the world to come knocking are sorely disappointed with their results.
For some real world stories on Linked In Success, read the book LinkedWorking by Frank Agin and Lewis Howes, with a forward by Chris Brogan. At last nights event this little self published book was flying off the shelves. Over 400 people attended the mixer and Miss Apps watchful eyes noticed an impressive number of them leaving with their own autographed copies. The book profiles ten success stories of people who used Linked In. Each one of these tales shows us that the Linked In users were also out there pressing the flesh in the real world, but also using Linked In as a way to network smarter and more effectively.
Linked In does work, if you are willing to work Linked In.
