The LinkedIn Effect (In Ministry)

Continuing in the series on Social Media and Ministry brings us to LINKEDIN ( or Linked as my wife likes to call it)

Known more as a professional social media platform, LINKEDIN is used for connecting and recommending professionals and workers that are known or connected (recommended) by the social media circles.  Your value in the network is determined by your connections and their level (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

I use LINKEDIN to keep up with business professionals that I've met in ministry and also ministers who have connections to businesses or parachurch groups.  I rarely chat or update on it, but it's useful to keep this avenue open for resourcing or information.

I would say that LINKEDIN is most beneficial for the minister--to keep connections outside the church.  I don't see it used much in church organizations.

The following information is descriptive of LINKEDIN and it's an accurate picture of what the network offers.

From Anderson Analytics

• “Savvy Networkers” (est. 9 million) are likely to have started using social networking earlier than others, are more tech savvy, and more likely to be active on other SNS sites like Facebook.  Savvy Networkers have the most connections (61 on average) and are more likely than other segments to use LinkedIn for a wide variety of purposes other than job searching. Savvy Networkers have the second highest average personal income ($93,500) and may often have the word “Consultant” in their job description.
• “Senior Executives” (est. 8.4 million) are somewhat less tech savvy and is using LinkedIn to connect to their existing corporate networks. They have power jobs which they are quite content with, and are likely to have been invited by a colleague and then realized how many key contacts were on the site and started building connections (32 on average).  Senior Executives have the highest average personal income ($104,000) and have titles such as Owner, Partner, Executive, or Associate.
• “Late Adopters” (est. 6.6 million) are likely to have received numerous requests from friends and co-workers before deciding to join. They are somewhat less tech savvy and are careful in how they use LinkedIn, tending to connect only to close friends and colleagues and have the fewest number of connections (23 on average).  Late Adopters have the lowest average personal income ($88,000) and have titles such as Teacher, Medical Professional, Lawyer, or the word “Account” or “Assistant” in their job description.
• “Exploring Options” (est. 6.1 million) may be working, but are open and looking for other job options often on CareerBuilder.com, perhaps in part because they have the lowest average personal income ($87,500). They are fairly tech savvy and use SNS for both corporate and personal interests.

From my own Linked In site:

Your Network of Trusted Professionals

You are at the center of your network.
Your connections can introduce you to 575,300+ professionals — here’s how your network breaks down:
Your Connections
       Your trusted friends and colleagues 78
       Two degrees away :Friends of friends; each connected to one of your connections 5,700+
       Three degrees away: Reach these users through a friend and one of their friends 569,500+
       Total users you can contact through an Introduction 575,300+