Man, if you want to get something done on social media, turn to LinkedIn.
I posted a message yesterday on LinkedIn about a story I'm writing for tomorrow's Observer and received 150 messages by the end of the day.
The knock on LinkedIn has always been that it isn't "fun." I have to agree -- unless you consider getting a new job, making more money and improving your career to be fun. I heard Charlotteans talk about headhunters contacting them directly, and landing million-dollar contracts. One guy I spoke with has 34,000 connecting on LinkedIn. If you have a LinkedIn story, let me know.
Also spoke with social media star Penelope Trunk, who has just launched a new professional networking site for Gen Y -- brazencareerist.com. "Gen Y doesn't have a resume, because they haven't done anything yet," Trunk told me. So her site has an "idea stream" like a Twitter feed, that allows users to show off their minds and get noticed.
"Gen X likes Twitter because we're suspicious of organizations and prefer to work from home," she told me. Raise your hand if you're guilty. I know. At some point I have to go into the office and tell me boss that.
Linkedin is definitely a site that you need to be on if you are looking for a job. No, it's not "fun," but it is a great way to network, discuss daily work issues with others in your same profession, and learn of new positions in the USA and around the globe. I've had the opportunity to discuss several great positions, both locally and in other areas of the country, that have led to phone and in-person interviews and I've only got a basic (free) membership and 150 connections! Of course, you have to be proactive, however. You can't expect to join and all of the sudden have people hitting you up for work. You've got to join groups and search for good connections that match the kind of work you do or the kind of work you're looking for.
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