LinkedIn

This week at work I was discussing my fears of graduating and the job search. She recommended I check out the website LinkedIn and said "Steph you really won't regret it, everyone is there." At first I was bit hesitant as I always am with new websites and networking tools but after reading mimegasite's article "HSMAI Debuts Event Technology Expo at Annual Tradeshow" I decided to get LinkedIn. The article focused upon HSMAI's annual Affordable Meetings Nation tradeshow and its newest addition to the show, a technology expo. Allen Blue, LinkedIn's co-founder was the keynote speaker at the event and "discussed the benefits of marketing events online via social networking sites..." As of this year the professional networking services has over 24 million registered users across 150 different industries.

The driving idea of the website is to organize a contact list of people in your business circle whom you know or would like to network with. The profile page is essentially a resume detailing your current professional position other work experience, education, honors and awards and interests. Once you have made a profile you can build "connections" with other professional individuals. Not only does the site allow you to build a strong professional network but also includes an area for job searching and "answers". The job search tool is essential, where companies can post positions allowing other users the ability to apply within the network. The "answers" feature is also very interesting; it allows people to post business related questions in hopes to survey a wide variety of professionals. One of the questions just posted is "Id like to know how people in the event industry have used social networking and viral marketing to increase their business..."

I think that this website could certainly hit it off in the event's industry and be used as a portal to connect individuals. I think that the "answers" section is a great idea if people are willing to participate; it is a convenient way to survey a target audience and get feedback immediately. Additionally, one of the best features is that you can see everyone who has been to your page. I appreciate that it is professionally targeted and does not include any of the applications other social site like facebook and myspace use, leaving it uncluttered and user friendly. I would like to continue using the site in order to see how I feel about its ability to connect people with third party individuals.

mimegasite article
http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003852866