Get The Answers You Need With LinkedIn

June 28, 2007 by Ben Yoskovitz 23 Comments

LinkedIn is a business networking tool that works well for a couple of things. For starters, it’s good for staying in touch with people. You keep track of who you know and what they’re up to. Secondly, it works well for recruiting.

Some time ago, LinkedIn released LinkedIn Answers, which allows you to pose questions to people within your network or a greater audience. At first I didn’t pay any attention to the functionality, but I started receiving questions from people.

What is the best RSS reader for a Blackberry?
How would you implement a staff-wide networking program?
What would you like to be able to see and do on a local community website?
Jobster.com: Has anyone used this site and if so, what do you think of it?

You’re not obligated to answer, but if you have an answer, it takes all of 2 minutes to reply. I believe all the answers are made public, and a discussion can ensue.

I’ve asked 2 questions recently, and in both cases I received very quick and good responses.

It amazes me how quickly people respond. I’m certain had I emailed all of the contacts and asked the same questions, the response would have been slower. Why? Because people tend to ignore mass emails, or feel overwhelmed by email to start (which I completely understand!) And although your LinkedIn questions will get sent to people via email (they receive a notification), somehow it feels different, it doesn’t feel like a mass email (or email at all), and so people respond.

LinkedIn Answers works great for referrals.

For general purpose questions, most people will search Google. But when you need a reference or referral you want to go to people you trust; i.e. your LinkedIn network. I recently asked via LinkedIn, “Do you know any videographers in San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, Boston or Toronto?”

The response was immediate, from people I trust. I now have a bunch of videographers to contact. (Incidentally, I’m still looking for more if you know anyone!)

It took approximately 2 minutes to submit the question, and I received 15+ responses in less than an hour.

LinkedIn scored big-time with this feature. It’s useful and sticky. Plus, it’s fun.

Paul Enderson

You've hit the nail on the head with your “somehow it feels different” comment.

I think perhaps (for me anyway) it's the impression that everybody using it is a friend of everybody else – so you don't mind getting (or replying to) an email from them! 😉
Tariq Ahmed

Nice! I've been using LinkedIn for awhile, and it definitely works well – people who know you are more likely to help you out. Vs Yahoo Answers, Experts-Exchange, etc…
Philippe Rathe

We always get the best from someone when its own reputation is challenged as with LinkedIn network
It makes good social network, look flickr!
🙂
Yu Yu

The best part about the Q&As is it becomes a knowledge sharing platform that company CEOs of big corporate companies, entrepreneurs, and freelancers alike use so you get a taste of every point of view. I even recommended this blog to people who were looking for good blogs to read. 🙂

It's also not like the other social networks, it's way more professional and more serious — which is what I really like because you need that environment when you're looking for real serious answers that's going to affect your work or your career directly.
Angel Luke

Because people tend to ignore mass emails
Carl

I personally think that LinkedIn is the best social network out there. I don't need MySpace to find new friends, but I need a good tool to manage my contacts, and LinkedIn is just that.
Mat

I wonder how long till Facebook implements a similar feature?

Interesting games of cat and mouse to come! (Until some consolidation occurs…)
Ben Yoskovitz

Mat – There's gotta be a Facebook App for this already…

And Facebook has some kind of question thing that you can ask on your profile page. Although it's not quite as effective. Or maybe that is an app…
Sebastien Provencher

Ben,

I've used LinkedIn answers a dozen times already and I'm amazed at the quality and speed I get answers back. I've answered some questions as well, to give back to the community. When I ask myself a very specific business question, I turn to LinkedIn answers instead of searching Google as it becomes more efficient time-wise.
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Roger Carr

Hi Ben,
I have used LinkedIn Answers to get an answer oto a question I was having a difficult time answering. I received some great answers with references to back up what was being said. I have also started answering some of the questions.
Ben Yoskovitz

Hi Roger – I don’t answer a lot of questions that come to me unless they’re from my specific contacts. I think that’s where the real value is – but it means having a big network.

When I get an email from LinkedIn with a question from a contact, I definitely pause, take a look and see if I can provide any insight.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Roger Carr

Hi Ben,
I have used LinkedIn Answers to get an answer oto a question I was having a difficult time answering. I received some great answers with references to back up what was being said. I have also started answering some of the questions.
Ben Yoskovitz

Hi Roger – I don't answer a lot of questions that come to me unless they're from my specific contacts. I think that's where the real value is – but it means having a big network.

When I get an email from LinkedIn with a question from a contact, I definitely pause, take a look and see if I can provide any insight.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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