But by far, the best networking tool to use in my opinion is LinkedIn. Most LinkedIn users already know how to link to other people in and out of their networks, but…

There are LinkedIn users and then there are LinkedIn players!

Let’s talk more about how to go from being merely listed on LinkedIn to being a networking “player,” which has helped me get job inquiries, plus writing and consulting gigs.

Follow these steps to help grow your career:

1. Update your profile often. Every time you update your profile, that info gets sent to your connections. Also, update your “status” often, as this gets transmitted as well. You always want to be visible to other people in your network. Updates keep you in front of them.

2. Ask questions. Use the question function of LinkedIn — it’s a great tool to get your name in front of LinkedIn users. Some quick tips: Always try to ask thoughtful and relevant questions. Ask questions that’ll generate a lot of response, and give plenty of background info for why you’re asking the question. When people respond to your question, always send a thank-you e-mail to them. And, if appropriate, you may want to send them a connection request. When your question closes, go back and use the site’s rating system to pick the best answers. When you “best” someone, they earn expertise (which shows up on their profile and adds credibility, too).

3. Answer questions. Same as above. You can earn expert status and your answers help other LinkedIn users solve their problems. And don’t forget to add a URL to your answer to help support your position.

4. Join groups. LinkedIn allows you to join up to 50 groups. Once you join a group, announce to it who you are, what you do and provide a link to your profile, blog or Web site. You can also post and answer discussions within groups. Get involved and watch your network and sphere of influence grow.

Stay tuned for part three next week, where I’ll provide some cool power-user tips. I’ll also reveal how to build a “super-profile.”

These days, that’s anything but typical. The average employee stays at a company about two to three years. Climbing the corporate ladder is now acceptably done by frequently switching jobs.

In essence, there’s no loyalty anymore between employees and their companies — and vice versa — which is a shame. Business continuity, team spirit and other vital relationship ingredients that can provide a positive effect on businesses are all but lost. But businesses are better served by nurturing long-term employees.

Building Your Personal Rolodex

The goal of business today is about adding new and influential contacts daily to your sphere of influence — i.e., building your networking Rolodex.  In fact. it is just as important to in todays business environment to ABN (always be networking) as it it to do your job to the best of your ability.

The current economy, with its impersonal, almost random, premature “because we can!” layoffs, and the need for business networking becomes more evident daily.

Which is why business networking Web sites, especially LinkedIn, are becoming the way of the future. LinkedIn is an amazing tool, and if you’re not currently a user, I suggest you join (it’s free). Right now, you can probably find 70 percent of the businesspeople you know using it. Presently Linkedin has over 51 million members for you to connect with.

Where to Start (Even if You’re Already a User)

Consider this: There are people who are on LinkedIn (they’re listed), and then there those who are proactive in taking advantage of its many powerful features. Regardless of which type of user you may or may not be, I suggest you do four things immediately:

1. Contact everyone you’ve worked with in the past (who is already linked to you) — as well as present — and request to be endorsed.

2. Join as many LinkedIn groups as you can. You’re allowed to join up to 50.

3. And if you haven’t done so already, add “link” requests to all your contacts in all of your address books (and ones who you have worked with, ask them to endorse you).

4. Add your linked in URL to all of your outbound emails, both personal and business.

You also can link to me at www.linkedin.com/in/jimwgilbert. And if you aren’t a LinkedIn member already, by all means spend a few minutes to join.

Want to become a Linkedin Power User?  Contact us at info@startsocialnow.com for details.