LinkedIn? What value are these social networking sites?

[bikerskier]

I am getting regular invites to join this site and have set up a page and now have a half dozen 'contacts'? I'm puzzled as to the value of these sites to me or my business versus any possible negative aspects or liability they might represent. My 24 year old son, who has basically grown up with Facebook, etc. says they are a potential benefit only if you jump in with both feet. If I leave my page with only a half dozen contacts it makes me look bad and I should delete the whole thing unless I get more content and many more contacts on the site. Does anyone have a constructive opinion on this issue? I am a well established Realtor with most of my business coming from repeat clietns and referrals. However, in this economic climate, I'm looking for business everywhere.

 

[LDRydr]

Do like he says, jump in with both feet. I'm using it to generate leads. I'll PM you mine so you can add me. BTW, there is a group for Sport Touring folks, as well as a LDRider group.

 

[cougar8000]

You are not guaranteed to get business from there, but every bit helps.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...mp;#entry426920

 

[JimNtexas]

If you are in business you can gain a lot of intel by monitoring the linked-in pages of people who work for your competition. :assassin:

 

[wellsj]

If you jump in it can provide you with countless contacts. It is all up to you, It never hurts to know people. The idea is to be networked through your trusted contacts to see their trusted contacts.

 

[twistedcricket]

I don't know of too many sales people generating leads from LinkedIn. It's more of an elaborate electronic business card with a nice method of keeping "links" (or in "real person speak" friendships/business contacts).

Don't delete your profile just because you don't live on your computer and are getting repeat business from referrals and friends. As you said, it's another avenue, but it's not like a yellow pages ad.

 

[ShawnKing]

Does anyone have a constructive opinion on this issue?

It's different for everyone but LinkedIn is useless to me.

 

[zip]

When hiring staff, I've certainly looked them up on social networking sites. For example, college graduates have, like, totally lost jobs based on a couple of idiotic snaps on Facebook.*

On the other hand, it's great to connect with old friends and colleagues. I've done so with people I liked, but hadn't seen in 15+ years. If I were considering a move or looking for work elsewhere, I likely never would've found these people without LinkedIn, or at least had a great deal of difficulty.

I'd suggest guardedly jumping in. Ensure that your contacts reflect the kind of person that you'd like to project yourself to be. Ensure that you've written your profile information fairly and positively. And don't post pics of yourself doing inverted beer bong hits while wearing a diaper. It'll catch up to you worse than a bad hangover.

*That's not general commentary on the many exceptional young people I've hired. Just a few of the ******* I didn't.

 

[dbvolfan]

I have had a surprising number of people I havent seen from college reconnect with me through linkedin as well as a few unsolicited job offers from fellow alum who contacted me and after some serious discussions tossed out some offers.

My paticular business is going through a lot of turmoil with layoffs and people jumping ship so it has helped me keep in touch with those that have left as well.

 

[HartClimbs]

Likewise. I find it helpful.

Just have to recognize it's not a substitute for actually "connecting" with people!

 

[Crash Cash]

And don't post pics of yourself doing inverted beer bong hits while wearing a diaper. It'll catch up to you worse than a bad hangover.

*SNORT* DAMN! That was a clean keyboard! Do you know how hard it is to get all the Pepsi out of a keyboard?!

Seriously though, a young friend of mine was really surprised to hear I'd seen her facebook page. And so had her parents. Oops. She'd never given a thought to the fact that the ENTIRE damn world can see it. "You got a tattoo WHERE again?"