Thursday, April 9, 2009

OCC Week 1: LinkedIn

For the first week of the TSPRA OCC, we will tackle one of the greatest current online networking tools - LinkedIn. The base of LinkedIn is like an online contact manager. It's also a great place to share work experience/expertise, and to make connections with others with similar interests. TSPRA, as an organization, currently has no representation on LinkedIn. Our executive director, Judy Farmer, is a member and several other TSPRA members are using the site, but there is no formal way to connect as TSPRA members.

Assignments:

TUESDAY - Sign up for LinkedIn here. At the least, enter your current job information. Then search for and connect with three other TSPRA folks.(Hint: Judy Farmer and I are members. If you can't find a third, email me.) Then, please click on the comment link below and share your thoughts.(Remember, this is a public blog when commenting.) That's all for today, but feel free to click around within the service if you like.

WEDNESDAY - Today we will look at groups. Please join the newly created TSPRA group on LinkedIn. (I will have to approve you before you can get in there and play around, but I'll do it quick.) Feel free to invite your contacts. Also, if you'd like, add a topic of discussion in the group. Share your thoughts of the potential for this TSPRA group and how it can be used. Also, if you have any experience with other LinkedIn groups, what worked best for them or didn't work so well? Thanks again. Tomorrow we'll talk about real implementation of LinkedIn.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY - Today and tomorrow, we will discuss the real application of LinkedIn for TSPRA. Please answer the following questions in the comments. (I'll use your feedback to develop our official recommendation for LinkedIn.)
1. Who should manage the TSPRA LinkedIn group?
2. How much time do you feel will be required?
3. Where/how should TSPRA advertise its presence on LinkedIn, if at all?
4. Do you see LinkedIn more as a tool for communicating with members or for recruiting new members/promoting the organization? Both? Neither?
5. What role and/or regular interaction should the TSPRA Executive Director and Board have with the service, if any?

Lastly, thank you very much for your participation this week. We'll tackle blogs next week and go from there. - Terry


Helpful LinkedIn videos, posts, etc. -

How to Use LinkedIn by Jake Swearingen on Bnet.com

TSPRA Online Communications Committee

Welcome to the home of the TSPRA Online Communications Committee(OCC). This blog will host the work of the committee for the next six weeks(or longer, if needed). Each week, we will explore a new tool for our organization as we work toward a recommendation for the organization.
The work of the committee officially begins Tuesday, April 14(2009), but feel free to jump ahead to the first assignment.
Please direct any questions to Terry Morawski(terrymorawski@gmail.com), the Chair of this committee.