LINKEDIN- THE POWER OF BUSINESS NETWORKING..

LinkedIn is the world’s largest community of professionals across the world. Its website says “LinkedIn is a networking tool that helps you discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts and business partners. It strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts."

Founded by Reid Hoffman in December 2002, Linkedin remains the strongest marketing channel for professionals around the globe. There are over 50 million LinkedIn members in over 200 countries. In short, LinkedIn is an ultimate business networking platform to drive businesses and connect professionals.

An estimate study says that over 10% of the world’s professionals are already on LinkedIn. And with the speed the professionals are signing up, it wouldn’t be long before LinkedIn will have a major share of the remaining 90% too.

A look at what makes linkedIn the most successful social networking site for the professionals:

• Freemium Model
  LinkedIn allows the user to create professional networks free of cost. It is a place meant which provides professionals with networking opportunities and career opportunities.
• Network with professionals.
  Whether it is a company looking for a good candidate or a candidate looking for a good opportunity. LinkedIn combines them both and provides a great platform for job seekers, job providers for networking.
• References.
  It is a place where you get companies/professionals with qualified references from professionals. The referrals and recommendations provide a powerful means of increasing credibility.
• Knowledge about Employers or Clients.
  A great deal of information about potential employers and clients can be obtained from the profile. It enables one to make informed decisions whether is recruiting a candidate or making a business decision. An employee can get the latest company updates and industry news.
• Search
  The LinkedIn Search facility makes its easy for someone to find specific services from a company or for a company to find employees with relevant skill sets.
• Publicity
  It provides a network and groups to promote articles, blog post, or research papers. There are user created groups on linkedIn, which provide a segmented audience.
• LinkedIn Answers
  As a professional you can showcase your expertise and receive exposure and credibility in your field.
• Find Events. Use LinkedIn Events to find conferences, workshops and other types of events that would be useful to you, based on your professional profile. You can also see who else within your network is attending!
• Promote Your Event.
  LinkedIn Events can promote your event to potential attendees based on their profile information. It will also add the events to your professional profile so that others can see that you have presented at conferences or events.
• Company Page.
  It provides a tool to create a corporate page, which can act as a vehicle for driving quality business leads for its products/services, attract professionals and company news. It helps one create a brand presence and awareness about the company.