LinkedIn Is A Free And Powerful Source of Industry Data
The ability to collect valuable information on people, companies and competitors is a major benefit of LinkedIn. Learn about LinkedIn’s productive sleuthing capabilities here.
1. Begin Sleuthing In The Profile Section
The Profile Section of a target individual can be a treasure trove of keywords, details, and critical information. These keywords are your signposts to what is important in the mind of this person.
1.A Personal Identification Box: Because it’s only 120 characters it should be packed with a clear expression of what the company does and/or what the business proposition is.
1. B Summary Section: This section can be up to 2,000 characters. This section is often filled with details and may be used to direct readers, like yourself, to other sections they might not see if they were simply skimming the profile for keywords.
1. B i Specialties: This section is a subsection under Summary. Look for keywords, including brands and misspellings of critical words.
1. C Experience Section:
The Experience Section allows 2,000 characters for EACH job or educational entry. Here you can find details such as positions, accomplishments, experience gained, awards, industry-specific workshops, certifications, and training courses.
2. Next, Go To People Search
We’re now back to your personal LinkedIn page. Use the Advanced People Search function to search faster and deeper.
- Begin with keywords, names, titles, companies, location and more.
- Refine your search with industries, LinkedIn member relationships (including Group members), and language.
- With a Premium Membership, dig into seniority, company size, and “interested in” categories provided by LinkedIn.
Power Tip #1: Use the “Save” search function to be automatically notified when a new person who meets your search criteria (e.g. region, industry, company, or competitor) is found in your network. (Note: network = LinkedIn Levels 1,2,3, and Groups.)
3. Finish With Company Search
While still on your personal LinkedIn page, search for companies using keywords. Refine your search using these filters: location, job opportunities, company size, Fortune ranking, and more.
Power Tip #2: Track and receive automatic updates whenever new profile content is posted for companies and organizations with the “Follow Company” function. (View more LinkedIn Power Tips here.)
KEY TAKEAWAY: Becoming a detective with LinkedIn is easy. Infomation about people, companies and organizations you want to follow is in the public domain and easily found by using the process described above.
Photo Credit: sean_rankin