How not to suck at LinkedIn

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of requests on LinkedIn of people indicating I am a friend.
With social, we refer to people as friends (think: Facebook) often. It’s pretty normal. But when it comes to LinkedIn, the professional social networking site, do we really want to connect with friends? Perhaps. But if we don’t, why are people calling me friend?
Let’s back up.
LinkedIn is a funny thing. When talking “social strategy,” or just social in general, it’s one of the usual suspects brought up, along with Facebook and Twitter. And, most professionals are on it. But are these professionals using it efficiently? Is there value? And, should you REALLY send your tweets there? Let’s take a closer look on how to use this social network from a professional  standpoint, and how not to suck while doing it.
I distinctly remember when I joined LinkedIn. It was 2006, the year I graduated from college, and my friend Jaime told me about it. I had interviewed with her, and she was mentoring me in the job search. LinkedIn has been around for awhile, but in 2006, it wasn’t exactly social, except in the connections aspect. Not until groups and status updates and comments started did it really become a bonafide social network.
So today in 2011, I am connected with nearly 300 people, and am a member of about 20 groups. Honestly, I don’t think I *should* be connected with 300 people. Most of the time, I accept requests, but recently, I’ve taken a deeper look at LinkedIn connections:
Be effective in your requests
The people who have indicated I am a “friend,” typically use the the canned/provided message: “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” Two things wrong about this: 1) Nine times out of 10, this person is not my “friend,” per se, but a Twitter contact or someone trying to network. LinkedIn IS limiting in that you can only invite people in certain ways, like coworker, classmate, have done business together; and sometimes, “friend” is the only way to connect, since the only other option of “other” requires the person’s email address. If you absolutely have to use friend, put some tailored messaging into the request. When Kevin Dugan spoke at a PRSA Pittsburgh event two years ago, I remember him saying that simply customizing a request to connect makes all the difference, which brings me to point number two on this. Instead of using LinkedIn’s generic message, write your own. Something like “This is [name]. We met at [place]. We’re connected on Twitter, my name is [@name]. Would love to connect on here as well” can make or break a request. Or putting a disclaimer like, “Sorry to indicate you as a friend, but there were no other options.” If I have a frame of reference when connecting, I am more likely to remember you, and accept the request.
Other tips:
Update your status
There are so many status updates we need to remember to update, but if you want to keep up that professional presence, LinkedIn is it. It’s a place to share your latest blog post, company news, personal news such as a mention on a news site or blog, or just a really good article you found to share with your professional network. You don’t need to update daily, but getting in there once a week breathes activity into your profile. Plus, it has a mobile app, so it’s easy to do on the go.
Post professional content only
I see a LOT of connections sending their tweets to LinkedIn and vice versa. This can be time-saving in terms of updating your status, but it can be harmful. Do you really want that tweet where you said something was “douchey” to be seen by that CEO your connected with? Didn’t think so. There’s a place for everything, but LinkedIn isn’t it. Unless you work for someecards.
Be social
The real purpose of a social network is exactly that, to be SOCIAL. So, instead of having static copy and leaving it at that, talk! Join groups, and aim to start or comment on one discussion per week. You’d be amazed at the value of information being spread in different groups that are tailored to your interest. The groups you really find value in, subscribe to their feed. You can get the feeds up to the minute, daily, or once a week, then comment or participate accordingly. You’d also be surprised at the people you can meet and connect with to further your reach and recommendations. The latest group I’m following is Managing & Measuring Social Media by oneforty.
Use your connections
I’m not connected to 300 people for nothing. View your connections on a regular basis, comment/like their status updates, and see where people are moving to and from. You really can get a pulse on your industry this way. Plus, as a great rule to live by: the best time to build your network is when you don’t need one. You never know what could happen tomorrow job-wise.
Populate your profile
Won an award recently? Quoted on Mashable? Update that profile! We don’t remain stagnant in our careers, and neither should our resumes and LinkedIn profiles. An updated resume and profile doesn’t mean you’re looking for a job, necessarily. In fact, it could draw new connections in your life as leads for growing business (new clients for your agency, for example), or side projects like freelancing.
So, those are my tips. For more, check out the article Fast Company just did on 5 LinkedIn Tips You Didn’t Know.
What else would you say? Get out there…and don’t suck!