Linkedin

SLSTech

I remember seeing in previous posts about a few members that had joined LinkedIn & there was talk about creating a ContractorTalk group.

I guess my first question is to Nathan - do you mind if a group is created on that site for the members here using the term Contractor Talk?

The next is how many people have joined Linked In & do you want to trade links / or join a group as listed above? FYI - here is my profile to make it easier if you want trade links. http://www.linkedin.com/in/slsconstruction

Sean

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
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rbsremodeling

I think it is a good idea. I am a member its easy to join and have several members fro CT on my network.

I think if a large enough group of contractors from CT were to join it would give it some weight.

The larger groups on Linkedin are polled, questioned and given quite a bit of input and knowledge on things coming down the pipe line.

To me its the equivalent of having your business card in front of 30 million people.


Lots of good information and some interesting people are members. Contact information for groups and important people are readily available

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Buck25

Is LinkedIn worth a damn? Everyone who wants me to add them as a "business friend" is in graduate school on the other side of the country...I could be wrong but I don't see that helping me sell more kitchens.

SLSTech

Good question - I just joined up only have 1 link & 2 groups. However, I would think as you link up, even with those in other fields your name & company name becomes more visible. Who knows when someone moves to your area & knows "George from xyz school" & all of a sudden sees your name linked to his. Sometimes the sale is based off of some common thread.

The only thing you lose is a little bit of time setting it up & updating your profile. I don't see a downside to it & it looks more professional than My Space, Facebook, etc... What can it hurt? Just my .02

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Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

buildpinnacle

I have joined linkedin and am in the process of having my clients link to me. I would love to link to the CT guys. I think it would help with internet exposure.

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Winchester

Indeed.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/11/82b/bb1

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Ryan

simplejack

I have No idea what the heck you people are talking about! how would you get customers with this scheme ...I mean site?


I'm really feeling lost now, why just today i clicked on a contractor referral site's Ad, I looked around at the members profile and they had little icons that were like buttons for each member, i think they were: stumbleupon, digit, delicious, and like 8 others and then a orange rss button, and I'm like W...T...F...!!! how does this work?!

It turned out that the free listing wasn't even really free, it was a free trial.

All of this tech is becoming too much for this numbskull...

Century Man

I'm in!!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nedoverton

silvertree

Here I am

Public Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/stpaulkitchens

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Vote for Pedro
Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
203K Loan Consultant Minnesota

EricTheHandyman

I have a profile, I can't say that I've gotten any direct business from it yet, but being linked to other trustworthy professionals can help you, if a friend of a connection sees your profile.
The other thing to remember is that you don't have to add everybody as a connection. For example, if your drunk frat buddy want to be a connection, you may be better off without him as a connection if he will make you or your company look bad.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbader

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Bathroom Remodeling in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury
Kitchen Remodeling in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury
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firemike

I'm In too!

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/6/376/b87

As with the others, I haven't gotten any business yet because of Linkedin, but who knows....

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-Mike-

Austkaine

I think a group is a great idea and may even bring some other contractors, not familiar with ContractorTalk, to the forum.

I'm at linkedin.com/in/akdesignbuild

I set it up 6 months ago but never did anything with it. I am now going to focus on networking through it as well as marketing my website in other ways.

Things have been really slow from the economy and the usual winter slowdown, but I have noticed some pickup here and want to get ready to take full advantage of the climb back up out of this hole. So I may as well attack every angle I can right!

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Custom Decks, Pergolas and Outdoor Living - Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Lone Tree, Centennial, Englewood, Lakewood, Castle Rock, Colorado
Basement Finish, Kitchen Remodel and General Contractor - Denver, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Lone Tree, Centennial, Englewood, Lakewood, Castle Rock, Colorado

OGStilts

It's just another networking tool and an opportunity to get your company name out in front of individuals. I try to link to customers, professionals that I work with such as Real Estate agents, lawyers, contractors, marketing professionals, etc.

I don't look at it like someone who wants to build a house is going to go to linkedin and do a search for home builders but if I have a prospective client who is looking to build a house, they may start doing some background checks on me much like they would by possibly going to BBB. If they check me out and see that I know their friend, or their denist, or their favorite electrician....it may give me a leg up on my competition.

It's not always about what you know but who you know that counts.

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Chicago Home Remodeling-
Chicago Luxury Builder- Basement Remodeling- Kitchen Remodeling-Chicago Bath Remodeling

Winchester

DON'T PUT YOUR REAL EMAIL!

I put my company email and started get junkmail right away. I've never had junk mail to this email address before. I have it go to my blackberry and today my phone was full of junkmail about "sexx" etc.

as far as I'm concerned LINKEDIN is full of sh*t! On the sign up screen they say under your email "We will not send you spam"

Sure, they don't send it, they give your email address to thousands of others who WILL

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Ryan

rbsremodeling

I don't know of any body else that has had that problem??

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Winchester

I don't know, I just find it funny after a year of having this email address that I get SPAM the day after joining Linkedin.

I took out my email address and put in a hotmail one that I use for crap like this.

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Ryan

EricTheHandyman

I've been on for a few months and I don't get spam or junk mail

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Bathroom Remodeling in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury
Kitchen Remodeling in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury
Deck Builder in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury
Handyman Service in Inver Grove, Eagan, Mendota, & Woodbury

SLSTech

No spam problems here. Is the address posted anywhere else?

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

simplejack

So it's like a chain...? If a client finds a member and that person is linked to you it your profile gets viewed and potentially remembered when help is needed?

You know, I looked into a group called BMI I went to one of their meetings and it kinda worked in a similar way...but it cost money, and lots of time. to this sounds like it's free and easy...

Good luck!

MattCoops

Not to speak badly about the site ya'll are referencing but all it is is anothe place to put your name and number. I don't see much chance in any conversion. You probably will have better luck in getting phone calls with a 8 x 11 flyer stapled to a telephone poll.

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