A review of The 'Spotlight on Linkedin' Supper

The recent ‘Spotlight on LinkedIn' supper at Hove Kitchen proved very popular, with an extra table being added at the last minute to avoid standing room only!

This is my fifth Chamber event and as always everyone was very friendly and interesting.  As a newbie to networking, I'm pleased and relieved that I chose to join the Chamber.

Al Tredinnick of Digicave, Kate Bacon of Kate Bacon: Communication Genius and Caroline White of White Write along with sponsor Guy Anderson from zero G media all shared their expertise and experience on how to use LinkedIn as more than a place to get a job and to passively connect with as many people as possible.

For those who weren't able to make the supper I was going to identify the top three things that I learnt, but I've found it impossible to narrow it down to so few, so the key things I'm taking away from the evening are:

1. If a company as big as Microsoft takes LinkedIn seriously then so should everyone

2. Join groups, ask questions and contribute to discussions

3. Don't try and promote or sell something directly

4. LinkedIn can be used to develop or enhance your reputation as an expert in your field

5. Use good English and only link to quality content / sources / blogs etc

6. LinkedIn can be used to get good deals from local suppliers (just use the search function)

7. Ask for testimonials and if people don't reply it's probably because they are busy: don't be disheartened!

8. Consider setting up a company page

9. Download Raporrtive for an easy way to get social media details from an email address.

I'm in the process of embracing social media and the speakers really helped to cement my delayed epiphany moment of ‘this is all really important and changing the way we work, I really must do something about it'.  So thanks for such an informative evening and thanks for making it accessible for late(ish) adopters.

Blog post by Kate Gare

Kate is a Life coach & Lightning Process trainer at Everylife www.everylife.co.uk
Consultant & specialist business trainer at P4 (Peak Performance) Training www.p4training.com
Social responsibility & community involvement consultant at C&E Advisory www.candeadvisory.com

Contact Kate:
LinkedIn: Kate Gare
Twitter: Kate Gare
Blog: www.kategare.blogspot.co.uk & www.business-performance-p4-training.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: Kate Gare at Everylife & Everylife company page

Image by Excell Design

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk