5 Ways to Use LinkedIn like a Nerd Would

LinkedIn is a popular social network of over 35,000,000+ experienced professionals from around the world.  It is a social media tool that allows individuals and businesses a ways to find and collaborate with other qualified professionals.  LinkedIn allows users to build a profile that summarizes their experience and expertise, and then share it with other users.  Simply put, Linked in is a very powerful tool to inform the world about your own brand of Nerdness.

There are many ways that companies can use LinkedIn to help their cause.  Several Entrepreneurs like Guy Kawasaki and Chris Pirillo have written several articles about the benefits and ways to use LinkedIn.  The site even features a blog dedicated to the success stories of its users on how they made it work for them.  So, we decided to come up with our own list of reasons individuals and companies should use and embrace the powerful online networking tool.  Here are 5 ways to use LinkedIn like a nerd would:

1. To Brand Yourself or Your Business.  Having a strong brand goes a long way, but it takes a lot to build up a brand and get it strong.  A company has to develop credibility in its field and appear to have a strong presence.  Having a strong network helps promote your brand. LinkedIn only reinforces the branding you’re doing elsewhere and helps increase your visibility.

2. Market Analysis and Research. Doing research is common for nerds.  Every company and individual would benefit from doing more nerd-like research.  And LinkedIn is a network that provides a plethora of information to research.  It is a great way to analyze and benmark the markert.  It is a great way to get to know a company or client and gauge its health.  Not to mention, it is a great way to see what competitors are doing.  On top of getting valid factual information, you also get other people's opinions through answers and recommendations.  Use the vast amounts of information LinkedIn provides to your benefit.

3. Word of Mouth Networking. Improve your connectability and find others you know in your network.  Often times, finding new clients and business comes not from what you know, but who you know.  Find people you know in the business world and connect with them.  This gets your profile more views, and acts as a virtual word of mouth.  Use LinkedIn to notify your contacts about company news.  An introduction received via LinkedIn is a lot more personal than a cold call.

4. Offer Answers to Questions and Help others. Use LinkedIn to help others, either by promoting them, linking to them, connecting with them, recommending them or answering their questions.  Answer questions and become an expert in the Answers section to demonstrate your willingness to help people with your knowledge.  It takes time, but it is well worth it.

5. Get advice from people you know. Use LinkedIn’s Answers in reverse and ask questions.  Join groups and start discussions.  Share your thoughts on news and get feedback.  Don't be scared to admit you don't know something.

But don't take our word for it.  Here are some links used in researching this post:

http://blog.linkedin.com/
http://blog.linkedin.com/category/success-stories/
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/ten_ways_to_use.html
http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/06/15/20-ways-to-use-linkedin-productively/
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/business_development_20.php
http://voxpopdesign.com/bloomburst/wordpress/?p=200
http://chris.pirillo.com/top-reasons-to-use-linkedin/
http://www.bizzia.com/slackermanager/how-i-increased-my-linkedin-connections-by-167-in-48-hours/

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