LinkedIn is it worth the time

[BlackenedBiker]

Looking to the next phase of my consultancy career

Phase 2 is getting away from the agency scenario and being a more independant business.

The business will find/win work and will build a network of business contact etc.

In order to do this I will need to network/advertise/market the business.

LinkedIn is one area that I have been looking at.

I was keen to know what the bang for buck is?

What is the boards experience, is it worth it and what are the best strategies for success?

[Spacecadet]

I've had a couple of positive leads out of Linkedin but nothing which turned into actual paid work.

Seems to be getting over run by agents now. Would be nice if there was some way of screening them out

[dang65]

Friend of mine swears by it. He reckons the key thing is to have lots of personal recommendations on there. I've got a LinkedIn account but never asked anyone for recommendations so far. Might do that next time I'm looking, if it's as useful as he says it is.

[weemster]

I agree the key is lots of recommendations, I have made a point of getting them for all the gigs I have done and it does pay.

[Fred Bloggs]

It's over run by agencies. It was a great idea and it still is, but agencies have basically hijacked and ruined it, IMHO.

[HeadOfTesting]

It's over run by agencies. It was a great idea and it still is, but agencies have basically hijacked and ruined it, IMHO.

There's no denying that agents are the most active group on LinkedIn but I think it's worth the effort - without a shadow of a doubt. I've had loads of high quality leads that have come direct from hiring managers.

I'm in the running for a gig at the moment and if I get it then LinkedIn will have been the key to it.

[BlackenedBiker]

There's no denying that agents are the most active group on LinkedIn but I think it's worth the effort - without a shadow of a doubt. I've had loads of high quality leads that have come direct from hiring managers.

I'm in the running for a gig at the moment and if I get it then LinkedIn will have been the key to it.

That is great advice I will get on with that, retro-fit some recommendations.

What about current positions. Does everyone put their current clientco or do they keep it confidential for fear of fishing!

[Fred Bloggs]

There's no denying that agents are the most active group on LinkedIn but I think it's worth the effort - without a shadow of a doubt. I've had loads of high quality leads that have come direct from hiring managers.

I'm in the running for a gig at the moment and if I get it then LinkedIn will have been the key to it.

Good luck. I hope it comes off fior you. I guess it must work for some people.

[ChimpMaster]

Yes agencies can get a bit too involved but it is just another way for you to market your skills and someday you might appreciate an agent hooking you up with contract through LinkedIn!

I find it useful to join relevant groups or communities on LinkedIn. You'll often find work advertised on jobs boards on those groups, plus you'll meet a lot of people who share similar interests.

[Fred Bloggs]

I tried being "an all round jolly good egg" on LinkedIn and was answering peoples techincal queries to see if that would hook me any kind of interest at all from a potential client. It failed miserably. I just started getting stupid questions from (seemingly) asian guys wanting me to tell them how to do stuff in their jobs for free. I got a couple of enquiries that started off looking genuine, but then quickly revealed that they were agents looking for leads or generally picking my brains. It doesn't seem to work for me, I'm afraid.