Get it now: LinkedIn & Lovin It!

Rockable Press is very proud to announce the launch of our newest book, LinkedIn and Lovin’ It!

Why a LinkedIn book? LinkedIn veteran and FreelanceSwitch writerSusan Johnston was encouraged to write a guide on LinkedIn after noticing something: “Although LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for freelancers and other creative professionals, I noticed that much of the information on LinkedIn is geared towards job-seekers. So, I decided to create my own guide specifically tailored to people who consult, freelance, or own a business.”InLinkedIn and Lovin’ It, Susan Johnston teaches you how to build a rock solid LinkedIn network that can be a constant source for recommendations and referrals. Advice includes:

• Setting up every aspect of your profile to bank on maximum response.
• Build your network to reach your next top client, employer, or partner.
• Build your profile to get your work in the spotlight.
• Do research on the competition & companies, find jobs, gather data.

Interested? Head over to the Rockable Press page to download a free 14 page sample!LinkedIn and Lovin’ It is available in three DRM-free ebook formats (epub, mobi, and pdf) for only $17. Join Rockable Press’s LinkedIn Group to get an additional voucher for $3 off!

We’ve had a few posts recently discussing the usefulness of networking sites like LinkedIn for freelancers:5 Reasons to Use LinkedIn,Are You Getting Clients on LinkedIn? And over on Rockable Press’s own LinkedIn Group, we’ve had a fantastic discussion full of tips for freelancers looking to network. Read on for some of the tips from our readers!

Since I’m a FreelanceSwitch writer, I have to keep coming up with ideas for articles. Since LinkedIn is one of those places where you have to write in order to communicate, it’s a great generator of raw material.Say someone asks a question, I answer it, and I happen to think that my answer is pretty clever. (It’s one of those writer things. We all think that what we say is pretty clever.)

So, I take said clever answer, do the copy and paste thing, and there it is, the germ of another FreelanceSwitch article. Call it the LinkedIn Forced Writing Plan. (Martha Retallick)

I do not really view LinkedIn as social media, or else I would not be using it. it is, to me, rather a traditional portal done right, which is a difficult thing to do. (Robert Jakobson)

I find it an excellent resource for a networking tool. To be honest I think it is most helpful once you are in a position when dealing with existing people in the real world outside of Linkedin and once that initial connection is made they will connect on LinkedIn. (Azzam Sheikh)

Get “Recommendations” from everyone! LinkedIn above all is a credibility platform : where you get to showcase who you are AND ask people to endorse what you have done with or for them. That would then form the basis of beginning new business relationships, making strong existing ones, applying for jobs and having your participation on groups taken seriously. (Alap Ghosh)

The main way I use it is for it’s ‘Answers’. I subscribe to the ‘web development’ section of answers, and I receive them via RSS. I check in a couple of times a day and answer where I can. It adds value – providing answers to people is a good thing, it establishes your expertise in an area (well, it can do if you answer often and well), and can potentially lead to work. (David Horn)

Check out the LinkedIn Group discussion for more tips or to share your own!