It is just like clockwork that toward the end of each of my Linkedin classes there are usually a few questions that come up relating to time management, questions like-

1. How much time should you spend on Linkedin?
2. What should I do with that time?
3. How do you make the time on Linkedin productive?
4. How can I be sure I am being productive and achieving my goals?

Since this seems to be such a popular topic, I thought I would address time management on Linkedin as a special edition of my Weekly Tips in week 39.

Let me start by reminding you that your efforts on Linkedin are to mirror your other networking efforts, which should revolve around helping people with your expertise and helping people connect to the appropriate people in your network in order to help them accomplish their goals.  In return you build relationships where they will gladly return the favor when they and people they know need your goods or services. 

When using Linkedin or other social media tools for business development and networking, the flow or process goes something like this:

            Step 1-Listening---followed by

            Step 2-Interacting/commenting/communicating---followed by

            Step 3-Helping by showing expertise and creating content---followed by

            Step 4-Responding to specific requests and proposals---followed by

            Step 5-Selling your products and services---followed by 

            Step 6-Receiving recommendations and referrals, and the cycle goes back to Step 1

                                    and starts over

With these steps in mind, I will detail the time management steps that I recommend for the highest level of effectiveness on Linkedin.  These steps should take you about 2-3 hours each week, but if you find yourself spending more time than this, you are probably beginning to find real valuable ways that this tool is helping you.  Don’t fight it; your investment of time on Linkedin is now starting to pay off.

Daily Linkedin To-Do’s

• -Review Home Page
  •  
    • -Respond to any messages in your inbox
    • -Respond to any invitations to join others’ networks
    • -Review status updates to check for events, projects, comments
• -Check discussions in your 2-3 most important industry groups
• -Invite specific people you met from the previous day to join your network
• -Post a link to articles, blogs or websites in your status box
• -Be on the lookout for articles, blogs and websites that you want to share

Weekly Linkedin To-Do’s

• -Review Network Updates
  •  
    • -Look at Events update to see if you should join anyone at an event
    • -Look at Recommendations
    • -Look at new groups that people are joining
    • -Review profile updates of the critical people in your network
    • -Review new connections of your #1 connections
• -Look at the complete network of connections of the new #1’s in your network
• -Review results of your three saved searches
• -Post articles, blog posts, events on your most important groups

Monthly Linkedin To-Do’s

• -Review your profile for possible additions or changes
• -Review your #1 connection list to see who you haven’t connected with lately
• -Consider revising any of your three saved searches for increased effectiveness
• -Go through your connections and try to write two unsolicited recommendations
• -Make a list of several important people who may get real benefit out of being
  •  
    • connected to each other and set up a lunch or breakfast to do just that

Periodic To-Do’s (Every few months)

• -Save and print latest copy of your profile
• -Save and print your Connections list

Remember - one of the real beauties of Linkedin is that this form of networking can be done from the comfort of your easy chair or sofa while keeping one eye on your favorite television show or sporting event - a great way to make that time “double duty” for you, relaxation and networking at the same time.  Who says it’s just the young people who are good at multi-tasking!

Miscellaneous News and Notes

Some of the other resources I provide are:

•       Customized corporate training classes
•       Keynote and workshop presentations for conventions and association meetings
•       Corporate social media strategy consulting
•       For Sale:  LinkedIn training DVDs for beginners and intermediate users
•       For daily tips, follow me on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/WayneBreitbarth

Here is my upcoming schedule for teaching/speaking so you can share with friends, relatives and business associates.  Follow link or paste into your browser for additional details and registration information.

Tues June 22, 2010  Wayne's LinkedIn Power Formula Training for Beginners
                                  M&M Office Interiors; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
                                  http://budurl.com/sw9n

Wed July 28, 2010    Wayne's Intermediate LinkedIn Power Formula Training
                                  M&M Office Interiors; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
                                  http://budurl.com/2ucd

Have a great week.

Wayne