- Image via CrunchBase
In my last blog I talked about some of the things to consider when setting up your LinkedIn profile. Now, I’d like to share some tips for building your connections and presenting the right image on LinkedIn
Netiquette (Internet Netiquette) in a nutshell
Everything you do on LinkedIn must be professional – yes, that’s a word I use a lot when I refer to LinkedIn, but I can’t stress it enough. If you’re a small- to medium-sized business owner, your reputation is important. And because LinkedIn is a marketing tool for your business, you want to exude that professional image. That means every time you update your status, or connect with someone, or comment on their status, you need to choose your words carefully, because whatever you say is a direct reflection on your business.
Making Contact and Connecting
Like Facebook and Twitter, you want people to join your social network. But, with LinkedIn, you want to be more discerning about who you allow into your network because this is a business networking tool.
LinkedIn believes that connections on their site are important as well. You can see this when you approach someone to connect with them. It’s not just about saying “Hi, I want to be your friend.” Before you can connect, you have to answer some questions. If you don’t have a direct connection with the person, you may need to ask someone you know who’s connected with this person to give you an introduction.
Seeing your connections and their connections, and so on…
LinkedIn uses a hierarchy for sharing your connections with you. You will see this at various places on LinkedIn. One example is when you are looking through your direct connections’ contact lists.
If you are directly connected to someone they are in your 1st tier. If your 1st tier connection is connected to someone else then you’ll see 2nd next to that person’s name wherever they show up. LinkedIn may even tell you that the 2nd tier person is connected to 10 (or whatever number) of your 1st connections.
In future blogs we’ll explore some of the ways you can meet LinkedIn members, including joining groups.
If you have any questions about getting LinkedIn, please post them here and I’ll be happy to answer them.
