Just the other day, a fellow LinkedIn connection’s posting popped up on our social media radar. It was complaining that LinkedIn just wasn’t helpful. We posed a question to several LinkedIn groups asking whether there was any real value in having a LinkedIn account or not. Out of the dozens and dozens of pro-LinkedIn responses we received (we had to eventually opt to stop following our own discussion because the flood of responses totally clogged our inbox), here are a few to consider:

From On Start Ups — The Community for Entrepreneurs LinkedIn Group

LinkedIn has served me well. I am connected with business people who share my ideas and look to expand their horizons with me in some form or fashion. I am already well connected with government officials, politicians and business leaders. I recently got connected with a wonderful New York based company that is partnering with my BancoCenters. A press release is coming next week announcing our partnership.

Granted, there are some “connections” that simply won’t work out no matter what, but it is a good thing they know you. You never know when that magic referral would be coming your way.

Posted by Richard David

From Brand Management LinkedIn Group

I will add to the recurring theme here that LinkedIn is potentially one of the most powerful tools, literally at your fingertips, for networking, industry insights and business development.

Use of LinkedIn does, however, need to be strategic if you are going to get the most out of it and like anything else in life, you get out what you put in.

If your expectation is that just because you have ‘LinkedIn’ you are going to suddenly be found and recognized for your worth, then it probably is not the place to be. On the other hand, if you put in the effort, the returns and result will follow.

A key in today’s working environment is establishing relationships with people that you know, like and trust. LinkedIn is a very effective forum for developing these insights. By way of example, I read Jonathan’s thought provoking question. I might then look into Jonathan’s profile and see if there is some way I might be able to help him - either by offering to extend his network or (as is the case here) responding to the post.

Vice versa: Jonathan or any one else in the same group has access to the thoughts/opinions and insights of other peer professionals and we can begin to assess, in a much more tangible way than through self edited profiles, if this is someone who’s views are interesting. From there, the possibilities are endless - but it’s all down to what you make of it.

I would, and do strongly advise my contacts to take advantage of LinkedIn. It is only one channel to remaining in contact, but an increasingly important one.

Posted by Richard Kohn

From Social Media Today LinkedIn Group

I have found more resources, information, etc in the groups that I have joined and the connections that I have made through LinkedIn than I would have ever found on Facebook or Twitter combined. You have to invest time on the frontend to reap the benefits on the backend. Without the initial investment and research into which groups that best fit your needs you definitely end up feeling like a fish out of water with a barrage of information coming at you that is seemingly worthless.

Posted by Kristina Sorrelli

The common question of whether or not social media is fruitless can be endlessly debated in these early stages, but the signs are clearly pointing to social media, like LinkedIn, being the next transformative evolution in human communication and networking. The cost of not being on social media sites, like LinkedIn, can be extremely damaging to individuals and their brands. When the world has a conversation about you or your company, it’s just smart to be there to engage. If you’re not nearly popular enough for that kind of attention, what are you waiting for? Join LinkedIn and start socializing.