LinkedIn Epiphany: Getting a Fast Answer To A Biz Question

Linkedin amazed me this week. I’ve been a relatively inactive member of this professional networking website. I take my time linking to past business associates, friends, clients and SCORE Chicago counselors. (SCORE is a nonprofit where volunteers help people start and grow companies.)

So just as an afterthought on my last visit, I posted this question in the “LinkedIn Answers” area: “Is anyone using Facebook to market products or services? I’m writing a blog post on this topic.” That was 10 am.

Within 24 hours, I had 15 responses. Most emails were short and not all responders were doing Facebook business, but these were contacts interested in my topic.

I was stunned that so many people responded. Maybe the promise of a blog post helped, but I’m still amazed by the power and speed of this professional network.

Here are the ground rules for questions:

* It needs to be a question.

* Make sure it’s business-related.

* State the question simply.

* Add details in the Details field (not in the question itself.)

* Don’t ask answerers simply to suggest contacts.

* Don’t ask answerers to connect or otherwise make contact.

* Don’t ask for opinions or execute polls. Ask questions which can be definitively answered by an expert.

Who sees your question? Either All Linkedin Users or only your direct connections. Your choice.

Maybe you should join LinkedIn? There are free and premium memberships. I’ll be back to tap into this power source again.