LinkedIn is a living, breathing network that autom

LinkedIn is a living, breathing network that automatically updates itself 24/7 online. What's not to like? If you're a business owner or professional who is not on LinkedIn yet...today's the day to get started.

Last week I was privileged to hear fundraising expert Paul Nazareth provide some excellent tips last week on how to use LinkedIn to grow your business. Interestingly, he was presenting at a locally-based LinkedIn group: Social Media Breakfast Waterloo Region.

I've put together Paul's points with some of my own to come up with a Top 10 for LinkedIn.

1. Best LinkedIn resources: LinkedIn Log is a tiny book that takes you step by step from soup to nuts on how to plan and measure business results on your LinkedIn site. Other recommended marketing books: The Power of Pull, UnMarketing, and The Best Service is No Service. LinkedIn has its own YouTube channel full of how-to videos. Company Pages has lots of tips for organizing your business page.

2. Create both a personal page and a business page. On both sites, make sure you follow best practices using the resources above. The most obvious basics are to make sure your profile is 100% complete, have a professional photo, and at least 3 recommendations.

3. To get recommendations, give them first to as many of your 1st degree connections as possible. People usually want