What makes a Linkedin Expert?

Alison's Contribution:

I'm with Holly on this one - at least in that an expert would utilise LinkedIn for more than 20 minutes a week. Even if they were the Picasso class artist, it would still take a minute to search and click on getting the best information they could distill. If this was valuable, surely they would be mining more, not less.....

Traditionally, experts were those who knew something about a subject and (usually) got paid to divulge facets of how that knowledge was useful. On LinkedIn, ASKERS rate the ANSWERERS and the award is therefore "earned" through perceived usefulness/helpfulness and sometime correctness.

The amazing thing about LinkedIn is that it doesn't matter what skill level you have - or indeed, to whom you are connected. The information is there for you to find. You do need some internet research skills though - happy to share those if you'd like.

I use LinkedIn extensively - largely through personal trial and error. Here are some of the ways:

I've linked islands of technologists and colleagues from many of the companies I've worked with over the years.
I keep my personal notes and contact information about them together in one place.
I've researched organisations and job functions.
I've sought jobs.
I've posted jobs.
I've helped people link to opportunities which I think interest them.
I've recommended individuals.
I've been recommended by colleagues and even someone whom I've never met (my answer was useful to him).
I've recommended jobs to individuals.
I've asked and answered questions.
I've asked my first line network - (individual personalised messages mind you) to help me land my next contract.
I've joined groups and have made my knowledge available.
I've volunteered to help build a collection of knowledge for PMOs - an opportunity I found this week through one of the groups I joined.
I've encouraged others to contribute what they can, as and how they can.
I keep up to date with what my network are up to; I also let them know what I'm doing.
I've viewed company presentations

and I'm happy to learn new ways in which to use it - so I'm most interested in the new ways people find to use it for themselves and others.

Sometimes it is the process of discovering for oneself which develops "expert - ease". (Too good to resist.)

All the best,

Alison
posted 7 days ago