So what is the point of LinkedIn?

Last week, Mel and Laura headed up the M5 to the University of Gloucestershire for a lecture on ‘What is the point of LinkedIn?’

The talk was run by Nigel Cliffe and Luan Wise, both active in the Marketing Industry and self-confessed LinkedIn addicts! The session began by looking at the basics of a good LinkedIn profile, then moved on to how the site can be used as a great networking tool for both yourself and your company.

Luan introduced LinkedIn with a great video showcasing some interesting facts and figures about the site – click here to take a look. We then continued with some important pointers about maintaining your profile, including making the most of your headline, avoiding gaps in your cv and claiming your own url.

We also discussed basic social networking etiquette (if you don’t know a person, you need to have a great reason to connect with them). We then moved to setting up company pages and how they are becoming increasingly important.

We looked at the applications section, linking through to your blog, creating polls and reading lists and uploading file shares (to name but a few!). Needless to say, we left buzzing with ideas and an extensive to-do list!

Nigel Cliffe also shared a few great tips about networking at events along the way:

• If you are right handed, put your name badge on your right hand side, and on the left if you are left handed. This means that when you shake hands with someone, your name badge is visible to the other person so they can note your name… and hopefully remember it!
• The best person to approach at a networking event is the single person towards the edge of the room playing on their phone – they’re desperate for someone to talk to! Second best is an open group of 2 or 3, where the participants are not standing closely together or standing side by side.
• Never approach a group of 4 or more or a closed group already intently involved in dialogue.
• If there is one thing you do, make that to remember someone’s name… and use it.