Almost everyone I know has a Facebook account (including my 80 year old grandmother), a Twitter handle, and a My Space profile they forgot to close down. However, the most beneficial social media site for your business and career is typically the site given the least attention – LinkedIn.
I feel that many times LinkedIn is treated like the red headed step child of social media. People will spend more time on Facebook trying to impress people they don’t care about rather than taking that time to learn how LinkedIn will help them succeed. Many times people create the account, add their current title, and expect miracles to happen.
Maybe you believe me and maybe you don’t, but I got my last two jobs utilizing LinkedIn. Here are 10 reason you need to be on LinkedIn.
1) Improves Online Exposure
Facebook and Twitter are great, but LinkedIn is for the professional. A potential employer or customer may look you up on LinkedIn and if you are not there they may wonder what you are hiding. It may not be fair, but perception is everything.
2) Networking
Ten years ago you never would have been able to connect with people so easily. Now you can live in Ohio and create connections in Paris. The power of networking on LinkedIn is crazy.
3) Research
This is a great site to start looking into companies where you want to work or where you want to do business. You can find out virtually everything you want to know about them.
4) You Are Able To Brag
It is annoying on Facebook when people brag because we have to hear about their “perfect life”. LinkedIn is different…you are supposed to brag. People want to see what you are good at doing and why. [Continue reading]
