LinkedIn Updates – More than just “this lawyer” is connected to “that lawyer”

By Ryan Bowers On February 10, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Joined LinkedIn. Check. Filled out my profile. Check. Connected with others. Check. … ummm … Now what?

Sound familiar? Many attorneys that are on LinkedIn fail to actually use LinkedIn. It’s a powerful social network for professionals. However, the key is that it is a social network. One of the best ways to use it to leverage your connections, raise your profile, and enhance your reputation is to actually be social. An important social feature of LinkedIn is the “Updates” feed that is visible on your Home page. Most lawyers overlook this powerful (and completely free) tool.

Use LinkedIn Updates to Discover

Pay attention to the incoming updates. You can discover some very useful information to help with business development.

Discover interesting content being shared by your network. Read it, and comment. Show your contacts that you pay attention and can add value.
Monitor new connections to discover people you already know. Send a short personalized invitation and expand your network.
Keep an eye out for prospects. Perhaps a law firm classmate or former colleague takes a new in-house position.
Look for introduction opportunities. If an existing contact connects with someone you have been trying to get in front of, leverage your existing connection.
Use the filter options. At the top of your feed you can filter the updates. For example, you can limit updates to law firm colleagues. Use this tool to quickly find what you need.

Use LinkedIn Updates to Share

LinkedIn is an excellent, and underutilized, tool to share content. You already have the connections – it is a free opportunity to get your content and expertise in front of potential clients and referral sources. No ads, no interruption.

Share links to useful stories and breaking news
Distribute your blog posts, articles, newsletters, alerts
Provide updates that will interest and provide value to your target audience
Don’t spam your feed
If you tweet, avoid integrating your twitter feed – LinkedIn is simply a different forum and overloading your updates with your tweets can get you blocked.

Your connections may very well re-share your updates and amplify your visibility. Plus, even if your connections don’t log in to LinkedIn every day, they can still receive your updates. LinkedIn recently added a feature where it emails an update of network activity.

There are many other useful features built into LinkedIn – follow the RFPattorney Blog for more insights (you can subscribe via RSS feed, or join RFPattorney.com – our blog posts are fed right into your dashboard). And don’t forget to integrate your LinkedIn connections into your presence on RFPattorney.

Ryan Bowers

Founder of RFPattorney.com and author of the RFPattorney Blog. Over 8 years of experience practicing law, including past experience at an international law firm, a national law firm, and a small firm. Currently GC and VP Operations for large mechanical construction company. Midwesterner, home renovator, golden retriever wrangler, new dad, Wolverine, & avid hockey fan.