LinkedIn Part I - Learning | BWJ

I've been a LinkedIn junkie for quiet some time now.  I find it the most rewarding social network to be involved with.  Want to make meaningful connections from around the world, and begin collaborating on things that matter to you?  LinkedIn is your tool.
Here is a list of keys that I've found to squeeze the most out of my LinkedIn experience (for the full LinkedIn experience, click HERE):

• Use a LinkedIn profile picture - This is professional.  Don't use your pictures from the beach, or hanging with the dog on the couch.  This shouldn't even be with the family.  Just you - make it a close-up shot while you're wearing your business suit (atleast the top half - I guess we'll never know if you're in your boxers...).  Don't leave this one blank - nothing says 'I'm not serious' or 'I'm a stalker' like a blank, generic profile picture.
• Make sure that your profile is "100% Completed" - From what I understand, once you've completed your profile, you'll be submitted to LinkedIn's unique search engine.  This is more difficult than completing profiles on Facebook or Twitter, but far more rewarding.  LinkedIn also has an annoying reminder until you have properly finished your profile.  Just do it.
• Add a complete list of employers and positions - It just makes sense; the more people/ jobs that you're affiliated with, the more people that you're going to connect with.  It will also give you a higher priority and more keywords for the search engine to work with.  (*Have at least two past positions).
• Connections Matter - The more people that you're connected to, the more connections you're exposed to, and the bigger your network grows - always a good thing.  LinkedIn gives you statistics on how many connections you have, how many people are one connection away, two connections away, and so on.  This is important!  Set a goal for how many meaningful connections you want to make.
• Use a catchy, accurate headline - Make sure that you're using your industry-related, desired keywords in everything that you do.  Having said that, make sure that your headline and summary aren't BORING.  Feel free to spice it up (and don't forget your keywords).  Honestly, how many people are "marketing professionals"?  This is a great opportunity to show connections that you have a personality, and that you are genuinely interested in being successful.  (*Write your summary in third-person format).
• Update, Update, Update... - What else can I say?  People who create LinkedIn profiles simply to find a job make themselves very obvious.  Your network is something that you nurture until the time comes that you're ready to reap the benefits.  Summary, Specialties, Experience and so on are ALL sections that need to be updated regularly.  Don't be that guy/ gal who hasn't touched his/her profile in months.  At my job (LearnALanguage.com) we all have the goal of spending 30 minutes/week improving and updating our profiles.

I hope that this has been helpful.  This is Part I of at least two parts.  We will get into some nitty-gritty details on Part II.  I'd love to hear your feedback.  

In the meantime, feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile here: Brent Jenkins on LinkedIn

BWJ