Using LinkedIn Better: Subscribe to LinkedIn Answers

August 12th, 2010 by
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LinkedIn is a powerful business networking tool. If you are one of the many who have heard this before but still don’t “get it”, here is one way to utilize LinkedIn better so it fits into your work day.

Use an RSS Reader to stay on top of LinkedIn Answers

LinkedIn Answers are great! You can drill down into the topic your industry is in and find questions people are asking daily. Taking the time to answer some of these questions in and around your industry is a great way to establish yourself as an expert. As you answer questions it also shows up on your LinkedIn profile and in your network’s activity stream. Letting people know you are the go-to in an industry leads to referrals and business.

Many of us are not on LinkedIn all day though. So by the time you remember to check LinkedIn Answers, there are too many to sort through and if you did answer one, you might be the 50th person to give your opinion and it gets lost in the noise.

By subscribing to LinkedIn in your RSS reader you can scan through Questions as they come in. Using a more central location like your RSS reader makes it more timely, easier to scan and alleviates the need to log into LinkedIn multiple times.

Below is a video showing you how you can quickly subscribe to a LinkedIn topic that interests you:

Not a video person? Here is how you subscribe to LinkedIn Answers

  • Go to LinkedIn Answers you can either follow this link or pull down the More menu on the LinkedIn Navigation to get there.
  • On the right hand side, browse and select a category that interests you.
  • If possible, go back to the browse category and drill down to a more specific topic.
  • At the bottom of the browse section, click on the Subscribe to new questions in: link.
  • Choose your preferred RSS reader

Posted in LinkedIn, Social Network Marketing

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  • http://www.philrichards.biz/ Phil Richards

    Hi Amanda,

    Thanks for this, I do think that subscribing to an RSS feed for a category is useful.

    One disadvantage is that many people pick a category that is irrelevant or the category is different to your target market for the answers you can give.

    I think an alternative way to structure your search for answers that you can be effective on is to use the Advanced Search option in Answers, and use a keyword phrase that you can effectively contribute too, and then search all categories.

    Another tip would be to search for unanswered questions, this lets you be the first to answer, which can be useful.

    In a free online training course I show people the 8 foundations of networking and how to develop your LinkedIn profile, this gets you started with making LinkedIn work for you.

    Phil

  • http://JimRaffel.com/ Jim Raffel

    Thank you, I was just published a post today about linkedin and wanting to learn more about answers and here's you post :) There are no coincidences.

  • http://www.hallme.com/blog/author/amanda/ amanda_pants

    Tah Dah! We are so in sync. If you didn't already, you should read Phil's suggestion below. Great idea to use advanced search and look for keywords.

  • http://www.hallme.com/blog/author/amanda/ amanda_pants

    Thanks Phil. I love the keywords idea!
    Being the first to answer is always good.
    I can't wait to dig through some of your content. Sounds like you are doing a great job!

  • http://www.philrichards.biz/ Phil Richards

    Thanks Amanda, that is very kind of you to say so :-)
    It was good to be able to follow your link to your author page, connect on Twitter and see that we were second level connections, and be able to follow up by email.
    A good demonstration of another good practice, IMHO, make it easy for people to connect to you !
    Phil

  • http://www.philrichards.biz/ Phil Richards

    Thanks Amanda, that is very kind of you to say so :-)
    It was good to be able to follow your link to your author page, connect on Twitter and see that we were second level connections, and be able to follow up by email.
    A good demonstration of another good practice, IMHO, make it easy for people to connect to you !
    Phil

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About the Author

Amanda

Amanda

With a background in traditional marketing, Amanda knew there had to be a better way. When she got her hands on online marketing and web design, she knew she was on the right path. Today she manages Hall's marketing department and is responsible for marketing services including marketing strategy, implementation, fulfillment, training and validation for corporate clients. When she is not speaking at conferences and to business groups about social networking and conversation marketing, she contributes to the company blog, Vision and frequently presents in our regular webinar series. She is also the organizer of Social Media Breakfast Maine, a board member for SARSSM and can be found blogging for a variety of different businesses and blogs that pique her interest.

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