LinkedIn is a professional network for business and (and nonprofit professionals.) It is often described as an online social network for job seekers. Perhaps because initially your profile was structured like an online version of your resume. Let me tell you, LinkedIn can be a terrific place to develop professional contacts, grow your business, and promote your work and opportunities. There are many good reasons why nonprofit professionals use online professional networking sites liked LinkedIn.
Earlier this week LinkedIn announced its applications platform that includes a small number of well-chosen apps that can enhance your professional networking profile. You can add your blog content, slide shows, reading lists, files, business travel, and more. (Chris Brogan calls the addition of adding your business travel schedule "dog clever." Since LinkedIn is primarily a professional networking site that can help you find job prospects, works prospects, and
For my profile, I added BlogLink (it posts my blog posts to my profile automatically) and SlideShare's Application. (In the video above SlideShare's CEO Rashmi Sinha demonstrates the application.)
After I installed my slideshare, I had this idea about doing a powerpoint to visually illustrate the text in my LinkedIn profile. Then, I found this wonderful example.
What I like most about LinkedIn applications is that they are focused on professional use. I also like that there aren't hundreds of them, and so far the two installed were not buggy. Oh, did I mention that I like the way they look on my profile? The best benefit of all is that installation process doesn't suggest that I "invite my friends to install." What that means is that I won't have to spend time on LinkedIn ignoring application invitations.
But applications alone don't make well designed and effective LinkedIn profile. Here's some great advice from Chris Brogan who how make your LinkedIn profile support your professional goals. (more here)
Linked In How-Tos and Tips
Creating Conversations and Relationships Using LinkedIn SOBcon09 - Biz School For Bloggers
Guy Kawasaki's list of Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn and LinkedIn Profile Extreme Makeover.
Chris Brogan, Write Your LinkedIn Profile for Your Future
Chris Brogan, LinkedIn Profile Tips
Linked In Applications
Michele Martin, LinkedIn Applications
Chris Brogan, Drop Everything - Run To LinkedIn Now
Read/Write Web - LinkedIn Applications: Your Resume Just Got More Dynamic
TechCrunch, Linked In Means Business With New Application Platform
What do you think of LinkedIn adding apps? Do you any value of using LinkedIn as a nonprofit professional?
I've always thought of LinkedIn as the really boring older brother to Facebook. But their selective addition of apps makes me much more interested. I've been a TripIt and Slideshare user for awhile now, and I was glad to see LinkedIn add both of those. If they keep pulling in useful, specific apps I could see getting more involved.
But for now, I'm still waiting for LinkedIn to be anything more than a paperweight in my social media library.
Posted by: Nina Simon | November 03, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Beth - thank you for the fantastic roundup of links on how to truly max out LinkedIn's new features. I am also starting to see some exciting activity and discussions within the nonprofit-oriented groups on LinkedIn. I find on a weekly basis colleagues in the sector post intriguing questions -- and in turn many people share knowledge and suggestions. For a list of all of the npo-related groups, see this link: http://www.kava.me/
I am very excited to see how nonprofit professionals use LinkedIn not only for job seeking - but knowledge sharing and relationship building as well.
Anne
Posted by: Anne | November 03, 2008 at 07:46 AM