Sometimes I feel as though we get so caught up in the rapidly growing twitter that we forget about one of the best online networking sites: LinkedIn. It has proven sustainability and is an amazing way to grow your professional network. While not as zippy or hip as twitter, LinkedIn has all the basics you need. I recently read a blog post about what’s going to be the next big thing for online networking and it made me think… what about using the ones that already exist to their fullest potential. In this blog post I will talk about ways I have used LinkedIn… as well as ways that other successful entrepreneurs suggest it be used.

ABCey’s Favorite Things About LinkedIn

140 Characters +
First off, there is something to be said for a sentence or paragraph longer than 140 characters. Don’t get me wrong, twitter is a great way to spread information fast, but two of my favorite things about LinkedIn are the discussion groups and recommendations. The discussion groups allow you to pose questions directly to others in your field and receive answers. You can read other discussion threads for inspiration or connect with those in your area. It leaves endless possibilities. Another thing I love about LinkedIn is the ability to write recommendations. There is nothing that speaks to your character and work ethic more than a recommendation from a past employer. It really allows people to get to know you more than a one line bio.

Search Field
The search field on LinkedIn has really helped me to connect with the exact people I want to connect with. For example, you can search not only by company but by job title, allowing you to quickly find the relevant person in the company to your needs. Unlike a twitter account, CEO’s are on LinkedIn.

Guy Kawasaki’s Favorite Things About LinkedIn
{This is a shortened version of his blog post, which you can find here}

LinkedIn Can Help You:
1. Increase Visibility
2. Improve Connectability
3. Improve your Google PageRank.
4. Enhance your search engine results.
5. Perform blind, “reverse,” and company reference checks.
6. Increase the relevancy of your job search.
7. Make your interview go smoother.
8. Gauge the health of a company.
9. Gauge the health of an industry.
10. Track startups.
11. Ask for advice.

Mashable’s Favorite Things About LinkedIn
{This is a shortened version of an article- find the full version here}
Quick Lookup Look up who you are having that next business meeting with. You’ll be able to break the ice right away.

1. Q&A – Post questions to others in your industry.
2. Recommendations – Have clients or co-workers post recommendations, which future employers and clients can view to gauge your skill and level of trustworthiness.
3. Background checks – Look up potential new hires or freelancers. This should be right up there in an HR manager’s toolbelt.
4. See what your competition is up to
5. Introductions – Use people you already know to help make introductions. It’s a great way to get in the door with a company you need to contact.
6. Open Networking – Go out and become a LION! You are an open networker.