Thanks for the comment and question! Your question is one that I receive often, so here is how I answer everyone:

LinkedIn is a platform for social networking among professionals. So, imagine you went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Would you, after arriving, take a megaphone and announce to the crowd at maximum value about the services your company offers? You wouldn't right? You would first get to know the people around you, ask what they do, and maybe, slowly, start to introduce what you do without unbalanced self-promotion.

Does this make sense? LinkedIn is no different. Start blasting new connections and LinkedIn Groups with self-promoting messages and you will be ignored. Start asking how you can help others and become a good listener and you may have a chance to have people help you find business.

Promoting on LinkedIn isn't any easier than promoting at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. it is the same scenario: it is people-centric, so you need to have good people skills in order to succeed.

That being said, if you want to “promote” your company in the old-fashioned way, you have the option of:

- LinkedIn Direct Ads advertising (like Google AdWords)
- Creating a LinkedIn Company Profile (search my blog for the post I wrote on this)

Remember Christine, social media was made for people, not businesses. In order to succeed you must be a good networker. And I believe my book, and the concept of Windmill Networking, shall give you some good advice on how to succeed not just in LinkedIn but any other social networking website.

Hope all of this makes sense to you. Good luck…and do let us know how you do!

@NealSchaffer

Thanks for your help!!!!

Thanks for the comment and question! Your question is one that I receive often, so here is how I answer everyone:

LinkedIn is a platform for social networking among professionals. So, imagine you went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Would you, after arriving, take a megaphone and announce to the crowd at maximum value about the services your company offers? You wouldn't right? You would first get to know the people around you, ask what they do, and maybe, slowly, start to introduce what you do without unbalanced self-promotion.

Does this make sense? LinkedIn is no different. Start blasting new connections and LinkedIn Groups with self-promoting messages and you will be ignored. Start asking how you can help others and become a good listener and you may have a chance to have people help you find business.

Promoting on LinkedIn isn't any easier than promoting at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. it is the same scenario: it is people-centric, so you need to have good people skills in order to succeed.

That being said, if you want to “promote” your company in the old-fashioned way, you have the option of:

- LinkedIn Direct Ads advertising (like Google AdWords)
- Creating a LinkedIn Company Profile (search my blog for the post I wrote on this)

Remember Christine, social media was made for people, not businesses. In order to succeed you must be a good networker. And I believe my book, and the concept of Windmill Networking, shall give you some good advice on how to succeed not just in LinkedIn but any other social networking website.

Hope all of this makes sense to you. Good luck…and do let us know how you do!

@NealSchaffer

Thanks for your help!!!!

Thanks for the comment. I agree 100% that I would love to be able to meet all of my contacts in LinkedIn….however, my opinion is that if I were to do that I would be limiting myself to the potential of connecting with people with whom I could create a mutually beneficial relationship. I also only send out invitations to people who I have something in common with as well.

On the other hand, the definition of a LinkedIn LION is someone who accepts all invitations that they receive. Even if you don't advertise yourself as a LION, if you accept all invitations you are an “Open Networker” in my book.

@NealSchaffer

But on the other hand, I accept all the invitations I get, but I don´t ask to be in contact to someone without a good reason.

Am I a LION, a panther, a leopard o a CAT?

Best Regards

Alejandro