So why would you want to take the time to answer questions on LinkedIn Answers?
Now I’m not bragging, and I doubt I’ll be able to keep that up. But I do it to illustrate that providing good, thoughtful answers that help people get their job done is a fantastic way to network — in fact, it’s the way to network. Helping people actually accomplish something is far better at building relationships than small talk is.
It also, as you can see, creates additional visibility for you — not just visibility, but visibility in the context of being both knowledgeable and helpful. In The Virtual Handshake terminology, it helps you build Numbers and Strength with Relevant people while demonstrating your Character and Competence and giving them easy access to your Information. If you have a relationship-building activity that hits six out of the seven keys to a powerful network, that’s worth spending your time on.
great post, but shouldn’t you be more general, why limit yourself to linkedin, you can also answer questions at askville.com, faqfarm.com, and many other q and a type sites?
Sure, Mark — those are all good strategies too, but my blog is only about LinkedIn, so…