I recommend: Register first at LinkedIn.com and don’t skip anything. Creating a complete online profile, which is essentially a form of resume, is key to enjoying all the possible connections. Put in your current job, all past jobs by date, all schools, any clubs, etc. Why? Because then LinkedIn can show you every possible person on the network that you might know from each place or time. People you know from one place may know others from a second place in the past. Suddenly, those connections are made visible.
Here are a few tips to get the most out of facebook:
* I know this should be a bit obvious, put fill out your profile. When I’m trying to network with people or decide on whether or not I should accept a friend request, I immediately look at where they work, what they do, etc. If this information isn’t filled out then I most likely won’t connect.
* If you have a blog or any other type of site where you create content, then make sure that content feeds into your facebook page automatically so that you don’t need to keep posting links. I try to write a new post a day and when I do it gets placed on my facebook page.
* Don’t be scared to send messages to people you are connected with. I send out messages all the time, sure not everyone responds but there are always people that do. If you’re connected with someone then introduce yourself and see how you can make business happen.
* Pay a visit to the facebook application directory to see what relevant applications might be useful for you. I’ll do a post on facebook applications later but in the meantime browse and see what you can find.
* Check out some of the groups on facebook, I’m sure there are some relevant ones that apply directly to you or your business. You can segment groups by interest category or by your network. If you’re in marketing find the active marketing groups out there and join in the conversations.
