“Can LinkedIn be considered Social Media?” Bogdan Enache, Project Manager at TELUS, asked this question. “I know when people throw the social media term into discussions they usually refer to Tweeter and Facebook but LinkedIn with its groups and Q&As can be somewhat considered more than just a database of resumes, perhaps … the Facebook for professionals.”
LinkedIn is one of many social media tools. You have to know what you are trying to accomplish, what your goals are and who do you want to influence. Until you have those pieces of your marketing puzzle in place you can’t start implementing a plan.
LinkedIn is the social media tool for professionals who are trying to influence colleagues or prospects in a business environment. With our clients, once we know the answers to the questions listed above, if LinkedIn is an appropriate marketing tool we make sure they have a clear resume posted. That way someone who is reading your LinkedIn profile can easily understand what you do and what you’ve accomplished. Next we tell them to join groups in their field. An important additional piece of the puzzle is to answer questions in your field. That helps to establish credibility. Adding to one’s connections is also an important part of the plan. And, yes, Bogdan, it’s good to ask questions. That get’s your name out, as well!
I’ve included a few links about how to use social media from our blog. I hope this helps you!
Laura Good effectively uses social media for the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance.
How much time you should spend on Social Media.
Social Media…A Two Way Conversation.
Tags: LinkedIn
Before reading this article I felt that LinkedIn was not really part of the social media category. I found it as a more on hands Aerotek or Monster. I really like the words “Facebook for professionals.” I think that it is a more grown up Facebook because you can add a picture, request friends, and have a conversation with someone. The only difference is that you can upload your resume. With this said, I still don’t think I would include LinkedIn in the social media category. I feel that it is too serious of a website than Twitter and Facebook. But, for those looking for work, like me, and business professionals it is a good way to meet colleagues and make connections.
I personally do not have a Linkedin account even though my marketing teacher told me to create one last year but I do understand the ideas behind the viral madness. For me anything that goes beyond simply viewing a webpage can be considered social; if it’s clickable then it’s interactive and has the potential for communication. With Linkedin, people have accounts that are part of groups that have the ability to talk with each other online. So the social aspect is definitely there and as far as the media aspect goes; the communication is being delivered electronically so social media is fully represented in Linkedin.
I don’t have a LinkedIn, but this post does make it seem like a good idea to have, especially for professionals! I think it really should be considered part of the “social media” realm because of the interactivity between users. Even though we don’t hear about it as much as we do facebook and twitter, I think that with the direction that networking between companies and professionals are moving towards, we’ll probably start to see it grow in popularity. It’s important for everyone in the business world to get involved with social media, because I really think it’s more than just a “trend.”
I personally do not have a LinkedIn account, but I plan on joining the network once I graduate and start my job. LinkedIn is a social media outlet for professionals trying to distinguish themselves in the business world. It is a place for business men and women to also bounce ideas off of one another. I think it is a great network that allows for companies and individuals to challenge themselves and see who they are competing with. I do not think it is all about posting your resume. I see it as a Q & A forum for businesses. It is a way to expand your business network and clientele- an outlet that will enable companies to grow.
I think that LinkedIn is more of a social media site than FaceBook or Twitter. I mean yes, these two are major players in the world of social media, but I do not think that individuals use these sites to their best advantages. LinkedIn has a reputation for being a credible site for those who are serious about either career seeking or educating and being educated about their careers. FaceBook and Twitter are often ways for individuals to give their friends a play-by-play of their lives or complain about the latest drama in their lives. Granted companies utilize these sites to the best of their abilities, but I think that LinkedIn is more of a tool in the social media world than the others. I guess they each have their benefits, but by using LinkedIn, I think that others will have a better understanding of the most beneficial ways of utilizing the other social media sites.
I think that LinkedIn is a great tool that was created. It’s funny because a year ago my uncle told me I should think about creating a LinkedIn account…and he described it just as Bogdan Enache did in this article “a facebook account for professionals.” I started one when my uncle told me too, but since I hadn’t completed a resume yet, I hadn’t finished it. Now, with graduating approaching and a completed resume, I plan on completing my LinkedIn account and beginning to use it on a more frequent basis. Also, I think the concept of LinkedIn is great because it allows you to have social media on two different levels: on a professional, and then you can get facebook and have a personal account.
I have to admit that I am not familiar with LinkedIn at all. Based on what I have heard about it, I definitely think that it is a social media. Obviously, there is communication and interaction going on within the users of LinkedIn which, in my opinion, defines a social media.
I wonder if LinkedIn is used in Europe and especially in my home country Finland. As a matter of fact, I have not heard anyone mentioning about it! This is why I’m debating if I should or should not make a LinkedIn account for myself after I graduate. What do you think? Do you know if LinkedIn is used in Europe as widely as it is used here in the U.S.? Or is it used at all? I can see that a LinkedIn account can be a very useful tool for professionals and I’d like to take advantage of it as well, but I don’t know if it will be any beneficial in Europe.
Kira– I’ve seen a lot of people on LinkedIn with European addresses. I don’t know if that means it’s prevalent in Europe or they need international connections.
I do not yet have a LinkedIn account, however I do plan on making one once I get my resume perfected. I am hoping to use the personal connections I have made with individuals I have met that excel in their field to help get job references. Also I need to learn how the website operates so when I finally get my job in the PR world, I can inform my client to it’s benefits!
I think referring to LinkedIn as a source of social media is totally correct. Also, I think the perfect short definition for LinkedIn would be “the Facebook for professionals”, as stated above. Even though I don’t have an account, it seems like the ultimate resource for PR and advertising for any company. Not only do you learn all about the person or business, but you can ask any question you wish and get them answered by the professionals themselves. Like mentioned in the article, LinkedIn gives professionals the ability to showcase their knowledge and expertise in any specific field, and give credibility to their name and the company as a whole.
I personally have a Linkedin account but I do not use it very often, and I am not familiar with how it is used. I more just have it as a job finding tool. I do view it as a social media tool but would have to agree that it is either a more professional facebook.
I do not have a LinkedIn account, but like many other college students, I plan on creating one after I graduate. I consider LinkedIn to be a social media tool because it is interactive, you can look people up, “friend request” them, see their information, and communicate electronically. It is different from Facebook or Twitter because it was created mainly for professional use, networking and making connections in the business world, as opposed to the more personal uses of Facebook or twitter. “The Facebook for professionals” is a great way to describe it. I think it is an excellent way to market yourself, ask questions and get answers from professionals, and network.
I was encouraged by a professor last semester in Italy to join LinkedIn. She wanted me to join for networking purposes, and in the taking the next step toward my professional career I definitely plan on creating an account soon. It is a good idea for all college grads to stay in touch with professors as well as a way to create potential job opportunities.
I have used LinkedIn and had great results. LinkedIn is effective because it is a professional website with a very focused goal of networking. People do not use LinkedIn to find old friends or post pictures. It is used to connect users to professionals in the industry of his/her interest. I will definitely continue to use LinkedIn in the future.
I would have to agree with Louis I also have a linked in account and it has been a great tool for networking with alumni at Saint Mary’s as well as other employer’s. Last summer I actually recieved an intership through linkedin, so I would definitely reccomend it to anyone who needs a job or just another way to network in the future.