LinkedIn tip: getting more than just answers

Scott Allen over at LinkedIntelligence.com is running a contest about creative ways to use LinkedIn for networking and I had to share this great story.

Last month I started working on a consulting project for an insurance company.  My first step was to survey some friends about how they made certain decisions about purchasing a particular type of insurance.  I also posted my question on LinkedIn Answers, a new feature where you can ask either your contacts or the entire community different questions.  Not only did I get great feedback from across the country, but one individual, Mike, wrote to say that he thought he was working on a technology project related to this issue for a UK Insurer.  We started emailing back and forth sharing information and concluded there were no conflicts.  His technology solution is now being included in my final proposal to the insurer.  Mike and I also began sharing information about how we manage remote tech teams (his is Eastern Europe, mine in India) and we found we had similar issues and could brainstorm about solutions.

Click here for more about the LinkedIntelligence contest.

Comments

[Alain Mokbel]

This is indeed a very good example on how the internet became a great tool to do business.

I myself have made great contacts and developed a few good friends through LinkedIn.

Al

[Nicole]

For what it's worth, I used to love LinkedIn but now I am finding that other networking sites (like www.octopuscity.com or facebook) give you more of an ability to really connect and interact with people, rather than just "have connections".

[Diane K. Danielson]

I agree that I spend more time on Twitter than anything else now, and before that Facebook had replaced LinkedIn. However, my contacts are mostly pr/marketing/social media folks who covet new communication technology. So, it may depend on your industry. If your contacts are all on LinkedIn, then that's where you gotta be.