I’m very pleased to share this review of my friend and colleague Jason Alba’s new book, I’m on Linked In – Now What???  I have known Jason for over a year, and I can say with all seriousness that he is one of the best networkers I know.  He knows everyone, and if he doesn’t know someone, he wants to meet them.  He’s a big advocate of helping his friends meet contacts too, even going so far as to send out introductory e-mails for us.   It’s for this reason, that, although there are lots of people talking about LinkedIn these days, I’d be most inclined to believe that Jason knows most what he’s talking about.

The book launches with an explanation of the key concepts behind LinkedIn, such as profiles, searching, degrees of separation, recommendations, LinkedIn groups, and LinkedIn answers.  Like everyone with a few contacts on LinkedIn (I have more than 150), I am familiar with most of these components, but Jason’s overview thoroughly convinced me that I need to bite the bullet and start paying attention to LinkedIn answers.  This service, which allows you to ask and answer business-related questions of your network and beyond, is low-hanging fruit when it comes to establishing your personal brand and meeting new clients who will deliver solid revenue.

Toward the end of the book, Jason also calls out some practices that breech LinkedIn etiquette, which are great to review, because after all, it’s possible to commit an offense innocently and seriously damage the e-reputation you’ve crafted so carefully.  For example, you might be thinking that you’d rather share your e-mail address directly, so that people don’t have to go through the official LinkedIn introduction process, but a simple thing like putting your e-mail address in the name field could get you suspended.

Whether you’re a LinkedIn junkie or not, you should pay close attention to the section on Internet Etiquette.  Here, Jason offers universal tips such as to avoid sarcasm, to refrain from chastising or preaching to others, and to consider cultural differences among users.  You’d also be wise to make a note of the compendium of free resources you can use to make your LinkedIn presence work more efficiently and effectively for you.  

Aspects of this book are both useful and appropriate for everyone – from the wide-eyed college graduate to the jaded serial entrepreneur.  Jason consistently emphasizes exactly what LinkedIn should be used for, and where you’d be better off with a different kind of service.  He has been there and done that, and as such you have no problem accepting and appreciating his honest, practical, and straight-shooting viewpoint.