When I was first invited to join LinkedIn I felt unease in entering the online space. I didn’t see myself going back so wondered why I should connect in the first place. I didn’t think it could help me beyond being another form of online connection and for me e-mail was doing a fine job thank you. Until one day I decided to get serious about LinkedIn.
The catalyst for me was LinkedIn’s ranking as one of the foremost social media tools; which include; Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Because I believe advertising is changing is changing rapidly from traditional to new media, I’m on a personal drive to learn the new media. I haven’t fared very well with Facebook and Twitter. Largely because I don’t understand how to use all its features including frequent updates and copying the world (if I wanted) on my posts. You Tube comes to me more than I go it, courtesy my network. I think the reason that LinkedIn has managed to keep me is that it is very user friendly especially for the technically challenged, like myself.
LinkedIn Proves its Usefulness
So how do I use LinkedIn? My presence on LinkedIn is all about my business; Pepper Advertising. I want people to know what I do just in case someone is looking for an ad agency. I’ve also used it to network with freelancers mainly in graphics, copywriting and web based skills. It fits in well with my vision to have an agency without walls where we can supplement and complement our in-house talent through these connections.
I’ve also used Linked in to catch up with long lost business associates. Like my KFC family in Canada and some in the US. I found one of my mentors James O’Reilly through LinkedIn and have started talking to him again. James is one of the brightest marketing people I know with P&G, Pepsi and KFC credentials. Recently, a kids marketing specialist found me because we both knew James. I’ve been able to recommend my former boss at KFC, Denny Post, not that she needs recommending, but I guess it was my way of telling her what I thought about her. Denny has led the Marketing for iconic brands like Starbucks, Burger King and KFC.
I’ve also used LinkedIn to ask for business. I have been in contact with two companies that I would not have normally targeted or in one case, even know existed. Hopefully this will lead to some business for pepper.
Finally, I have begun to mentor one LinkedIn connection to help them break into marketing. The online meeting led to a live meeting and a plan of action. Hopefully he’ll get the start he’s looking for and I’ll feel better for having helped. In a very short space of time, just a few months, I’ve gone from the reluctant bride to the willing partner. I’ve even been telling others around me how important it is for them to build their network. 296 Connections link you to 1,088,700+ professionals 3227 New People in your network since November 5 …that’s the current status on my home page and I’ve only just started.
