LinkedIn – Your Link to the world

I was taking an estimate in my network of business professionals and individuals trying to understand their take on LinkedIn. Do they have an account on LinkedIn? If they have an account, how active they are? It turned out, a very slim percentage of my connections are on LinkedIn and are well-updated and active on it.

My LinkedIn profile spans across my two professions, earlier as an HR Consultant and for the past 8 years as a Writer. I have been on LinkedIn and created my presence in my circle. The advantage is, I was able to create a good following with my former profession, and I have been able to create good work inquiries with my current one.

LinkedIn to me is a platform to globalize my profile. My work is of such a nature that I can operate from any corner of the world, and thus LinkedIn serves as a medium to source clients worldwide. I have worked with clients in different countries including – Dubai, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, and the US, in addition to my home country India.

Recently, a dear business friend, a Director with a Scaffolding Company was able to establish a Joint Venture with a French Company. These discussions originated on LinkedIn and now the two companies have international partners, bigger geographies, and enhanced growth opportunities.

On different counts, I have received inquiries and have been able to source work through LinkedIn. I have also been able to generate work for a couple of writing professionals on LinkedIn for my large projects. I have been able to deliver work to many senior management professionals and cherish calling them my clients now. Many have come ahead and guided me in my profession.

On the other hand, many professionals have approached me through LinkedIn to interview me, for knowledge sharing, and also for subject-matter advice.

Despite the various opportunities, LinkedIn for many seems to be a daunting platform. People are cautious to even open an account merely imagining that it's a highly professional platform and we do not fit here. Yes, LinkedIn is highly professional, but any and every business and working individual can benefit from this platform. After all, every platform has certain prerequisites to follow, and if you abide by them, you are already there and making yourself visible and benefiting.

We have many articles, videos, and workshops that could be your DIY way to create and maintain your LinkedIn profile. However, if you are pressed for time, you can have all the professional help you require, right from creating LinkedIn profiles, to strategizing promotions on them, and maintaining your profile.? It is how you approach the medium. After all, every day you miss being on LinkedIn could be an opportunity lost, or a missed connection.

It is the systematic building of your profile, regular posting, and active networking that is the key to benefit from the medium. And, unlike your other social media platforms, LinkedIn means serious business.