When it comes to online social networking, I do tend to be on the conservative side. I don’t actively seek them out, but I’m happy to discover and to learn more.
I think this is partly due to the reason that at the moment, I still don’t see a lot of benefit from them. Sure, I may meet more people. But, I realise that unless they become “real connections” (ie, not just connections for the sake of growing my network numbers), I can’t seem to find any reason to spend a lot of time on them. At least, not yet.
But then, maybe I’m just missing something.
With this in mind, I decided to explore one particular online social networking service in particular - LinkedIn. I’ve been trying to work this out the last couple of weeks (even though I’ve been a member for about 2+ years now). That’s why I’m finally publicising my LinkedIn profile and writing about it here.
So, if you’re on LinkedIn and you want to connect, let me know. And, if you’ve been involved with my work in any way and you’d be happy to give me an endorsement, I’d appreciate that too - but it’s not a requirement. 
Anyway, I just want to be able to check here in 6 to 12 months’ time and report if I’ve seen any benefit at all from being part of LinkedIn.
Right now, my basic stats show:
- 41 connections
- 2 endorsements
- 0 new connections (just LinkedIn-based)
- 0 reconnections (just found via LinkedIn)
- 0 job/consultation leads
- 0 sales/other business-related leads
- 0 media/expertise/PR leads
I’m not sure what other measures I’d like to see… But, these are a few things that I’d like to look in to anyway. Hopefully, all the 0s will change at some stage.
In any case, if you have LinkedIn success stories or rave reviews, please let me know. I’d love to read all about them.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
talksmart 05.24.06 at 6:53 pm
I just remember now that I actually signed up for LinkedIn many months ago. Thanks for reminding me Shai…I’ll check my stats later.
[Reply]
Matt Vella 05.25.06 at 10:48 pm
I like LinkedIn, it’s really helped me stay in contact with my friends in the industry.
Look me up.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/34a/b62
[Reply]
Shai Coggins 05.30.06 at 10:23 am
Talksmart: No worries. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Matt: That’s great. Thanks. ‘will do.
[Reply]
Toni 05.31.06 at 12:31 pm
Here’s my link if you’re interested:
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=5911129
So far, I’ve only seen it as a good wy to catch up on what my friends’ jobs are! I just reallized my friends and I hardly talk about work when we’re together (a good thing!) but we’ve become quite clueless to what each of us does for a living!
[Reply]
Shai Coggins 06.10.06 at 3:10 pm
Toni: Thanks. I visited your profile but since I don’t know your email address, I can’t get connected. Anyway, that’s an interesting point you mentioned about not talking about work with your friends. I’m always being nosy about such things.
[Reply]
Valerie 01.01.07 at 7:39 am
I have been actively using linkedin for business and school contacts. It has worked for me in regards to researching career options as I am graduating in May with my MBA.
I am really trying to diversify my network since Austin is so Tech heavy. My link is http://www.linkedin.com/in/veponder.
[Reply]
Corey 05.31.07 at 7:20 am
I’m an avid LinkedIn user. It has been great for keeping in touch with old friends and generating new business.
You are more than welcome to visit my profile and send me an invitation if you wish to connect: http://www.linkedin.com/in/corey
[Reply]