March 4, 2013

Weak Link: Author Blog Challenge, Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the Winter Author Blog Challenge

In the last two days, we have talked about Facebook and Twitter. Today's prompt is all about Linked In...

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Launched in May 2003, it has undergone many metamorphoses – the most recent of which involved retiring two of its most popular features, LinkedIn Events and LinkedIn Answers. 

Are you using LinkedIn to promote yourself as an author? Does your professional profile include or feature your writing? What is the best connection you’ve made through your involvement on LinkedIn? With whom would you still like to connect? Might LinkedIn be a good vehicle for making such a connection? What is your biggest question, frustration, or suggestion regarding LinkedIn?

My husband loves LinkedIn, and he's the one who originally suggested I join. I understand and appreciate the business side of writing, so it seemed a great fit. 

I have joined several groups, but I find myself more drawn to individual blogs than LinkedIn groups. Initially, I was a group lurker. But LinkedIn groups don't like lurkers and drop your group status if you don't comment or interact often enough. Since I follow a lot of blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter profiles, it's hard to stay as active on LinkedIn as I should.

Regarding connections, I'd like to connect with Hugh Jackman... wait, I think the question meant on LinkedIn. Okay, I'd still say Hugh Jackman, but I'm assuming that wouldn't help with my writing. Well, except I do daydream about him a lot, so that helps with creativity. But I digress... I'm always looking to connect with more readers, but I do not see LinkedIn as the best method to do that. 

Quite frankly, I find LinkedIn less personal than blogging and other social media outlets. As a writer, I like making personal connections. However, I can see using it to connect with editors, cover artists, book formatters, book reviewers, and other writing professionals who have services I will need throughout my writing journey.

I'm sure LinkedIn is a valuable tool, but there are only so many hours in a day. If you consider my writing journey a chain, LinkedIn is surely one of my weak links.

Anyone out there found great resources on LinkedIn? Any advice on how to better utilize it?

My LinkedIn Profile

3 comments:

Ashley said...

It's my weak link too. Still I agree it's not as social or personal as blogging or twitter. It also takes too much time to stay connected. Great post

Jo Michaels said...

There are only so many hours in a day... AMEN! When I have time, I love to peruse and participate. But it never trumps my writerly obligations. I think if there were 48 hours in a day, I'd still only set aside one for social networking. Personal preference. Those who comment me, get commented back. I give when I receive. No sense wasting time on those that don't pay it forward. :) WRITE ON!

Tia Bach said...

Ashley -- So agree wtih you!

Jo -- Such a good point. I need to set a timer for social media and stick to a limit!