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Connecting through LinkedIn

We all talk about Web 2.0 and connecting with virtual communities and new people through social networking. I am happy to say I do more than talk about it, as I have met some great people through doing this blog among other things. Some I have met in person, some only through comments and email (but I feel like I have met them).

I am a member of LinkedIn, like many. Whenever I search for someone on LinkedIn, I always seem to get a list of people that are 3 degrees away. It doesn't seem like many, until you see the graphic on the side. It is like the story about a friend of a friend of a friend. It seems too distant for you to really relate or know the person. So to be introduced to that person through LinkedIn, you send an email to your connection, who then must agree to send it to their connection who is connected to the person you want to meet, so you need one more introduction. All in all, to make this work you are counting on someone you know and someone you don't know to both introduce you to a person you don't know, who has to agree to meet you (virtually).

I tried it for the first time last night. And honestly to my huge disbelief (I am not sure why I was so worried it wouldn't work), within 15 hours I had an email in my box from the person I was trying to meet. (Thank you to my connection, you know who you are)

I have received 3 phone calls/emails from people who found me on LinkedIn. 2 were sales calls and one needed help with a project. I know some folks are down on LinkedIn, but I am a fan right now.

Is anyone using LinkedIn to try to recruit new members?

Comments

Tony Rossell said…
Matt -- I use Linkedin and I have it on my blog. Over the years, I have connected with some old college classmates through it and I think one prospective client found me through it, but I cannot say that it has an impact on how I work day to day. Tony
October 2, 2007 at 3:36 PM
Lindy Dreyer said…
I love 6-degrees of Kevin Bacon, but I still haven't fallen in love with LinkedIn. I've found Facebook to be so much more interactive.

That said, I'm still hoping for more from LinkedIn.
October 3, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Maddie Grant said…
I'm not on it, have never even looked into it - but maybe I will now just for comparison purposes. I wasn't on Facebook until six weeks ago or something...!
October 5, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Matt Baehr said…
I actually broke down and joined facebook today. Now I have to spend the time looking for "friends." I like LinkedIn since it really only uses your email. You don't have to be that active and feel like you are missing things. I know I will forget to check facebook and miss a bunch.
October 5, 2007 at 9:53 PM
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