Okay, I joined LinkedIn - now what?

I'm so glad you asked! The answer is ... YOU DECIDE (and you thought we voted already). I wanted to post a few answers to that "now what" question that I get every so often in one of our offices where I have been evangelizing these social networking tools.

So, you posted your "resume" on LinkedIn, you uploaded a photo, maybe joined a group or two ... what should you do next?

> Reach out to others - you can send invitations to people who are not already on LinkedIn and ask them to join. To do this, click on the green button that says, Add Connections - from here, you can type in a name and email address, upload a contact file and check your webmail or Outlook contacts.



> Ask for a recommendation, or two or three and recommend others that you are connected with on LinkedIn. My general rule of thumb, if you are not feeling it, don't write a recommendation out of obligation. Get recommended from past clients!!! To do this, click on Profile, then click Recommendations - from this screen you manage, send and request your recommendations. Start with the Request tab ...



> Put your customized LinkedIn address into your email signature. When you first sign up for LinkedIn, you have the option to customize your public profile URL. Most of you probably blew this off because you were not sure what it was ... have no fear, you can go back. Click on Profile, then click Edit Public Profile Settings (on the right) - that will open the screen below. Type your name in the box - ie: Stefanie Hahn and click Set Address. Google your name in a week or so and you will be very pleased. Don't leave this screen without highlighting and copying your customized LinkedIn URL! Add this URL to your email signature, website and more. We'll get into the fancy buttons later ...

Running out of room ... next post - "What now" with regard to Facebook!

Thanks all - have a GREAT day!!!