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A timely way for you to generate the user experience you want – if you find that LinkedIn is generating too many emails, enquiries or connection requests, you can simply modify your content, signals, settings and actions to generate the experience you want.
Build your enterprise presence online – through your employees, stakeholders, network connections, backlinks, articles and more. A platform that has such a significant database, constantly updated algorithms and the ability to implement your own strategic signals process is worth exploring.
Look for jobs or attract jobs – you can update your Career Interests on LinkedIn so that Recruiters can know that you are looking for work and LinkedIn can send you details of specific jobs you may be interested in applying for.x
A way for you to increase the size of your digital footprint – as a well known and reputable platform, LinkedIn usually always provides a link on the first page of Google Search Engine Results (provided it has been optimised and you are not up against significant competition from a person or business with the same details). It also enables you to tell Google about the other online connections you have (via website links, keywords in your content etc).
A way for you to massage your message – you have probably heard that 'everyone deserves a second chance. ' Whilst I do not endorse the publication of any false information, I do encourage people to share information in a productive manner. LinkedIn can also be used to build your online reputation and have the LinkedIn links appear in Search Engine Results before previous bad publicity links. This can require more detailed personal assistance.
I have had the privilege of working with many different individuals and enterprises and I could easily list another 20 benefits of LinkedIn - for example, some businesses use the lead generation, marketing and relationship building components very well.
However, unfortunately there are some people who try to get ‘everything for nothing’ from LinkedIn as they do from everywhere else and this has meant that LinkedIn has had to set certain limits to prevent this obtrusive behaviour - for example, you cannot send one message to many Connections on LinkedIn and you certainly cannot send a bulk unpersonalised message (unless you pay for a sponsored message).
LinkedIn has worked hard to create a reputable platform and I believe that certain controls are necessary to maintain the integrity of the experience for all users. After all, if I was being spammed or annoyed, I would be tempted to leave - but fortunately, LinkedIn has strict controls to identify and stop this behaviour.
So if you are genuinely interested in being ethical and professional, LinkedIn can provide enormous benefits.
Sue Ellson - BBus MIML MAHRI CDAA (Assoc) ASA MPC