While Facebook is more general and does cross several social spheres, LinkedIn is entirely focused on business, and anything that is related to business (like marketing yourself for a job). In Facebook, one may have actual friends, work-related people (like a former boss, a former supplier), and new acquaintances. LinkedIn does not focus on making friends, or allowing them opportunities to always be updated on the most trivial musings on the private lives of people in their group. Although there are discussions, everything must be kept professional - whether they be through sharing of business-related interests and accomplishments or business events.
Knowing that LinkedIn is professional in approach, how then, does one use it to one's advantage?
Use "signal" to find news and information. While logged into LinkedIn, try using "Signal" - which allows you to view updates within your network. This feature allows gives the added benefit of sifting information that gets to you - enabling you to also see what people in your extended circle, like your 2nd or 3rd connections are posting. You may also adjust it so that you eliminate the unnecessary "noise" by filtering according to industry or location.
Export connections. Now how great is this? You are able to see a list of all you LinkedIn contacts - a good way to get email addresses and up to date information. You can export these and put them in your more favored format - like Yahoo! Mail or MS Outlook. Now we probably don't need to explain what further things you can do with an exported email address.
Create your online resume. Just fill out your LinkedIn profile information, then use the information as foundation to create a resume through "The Resume Builder." Build-in templates help make yours look good - maybe even better than it actually is. You can choose between an Executive-style layout or a more casual one, and thus taking the pain out of building a good resume. Export again, and you may use it elsewhere.
Use groups to your advantage. You may not be able to chat freely as you do on Facebook, but with LinkedIn groups, you are able to be part of relevant conversations within your niche. If you need help in finding a group that is more to your preference, click on "Groups you may like," to help you jump-start your hanging out with people you'd like to have a business chat with.
Customise your domain name. Some see this necessary to help further establish their business name - and LinkedIn allows you to do this. Go to the "Edit Profile" tab and click on "Public Profile" at the left bottom. After this, to the right you will see "Your current URL." Go ahead, customise it for better branding.
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Michael Griffiths is the CEO and Founder of My Small Business Marketing Guru. Helping small business owners generate more leads, clients and increase profits with relationship based marketing strategies. We invite you to get your free black mask marketing resources to help you business grow today, when you visit http://www.mysmallbusinessmarketingguru.com.au
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