LinkedIn is a social networking site launched in 2003 focused on professional networking and career development. It has over 50 million members worldwide and appeals to professionals between 25-65 years old. The site's value comes from its large network, which facilitates job referrals and opportunities. LinkedIn has grown significantly since its founding and become an important tool for both job seekers and employers.

1. Linkedin Melissa Ferrer

2. Overview What is it? History LinkedIn vs other social media Referrals LinkedIn for Business Suggested vids & articles

3. What is LinkedIn? (full vid) How it works. (shorter clip 1:35)

4. The Beginning Links: Founded in Dec 2002 & launched on May 5, 2003 “Cinco de LinkedIn” End of 2004-1.6 mill members & 33 employees March 2005- LinkedIn launches its first premium service: LinkedIn Jobs. Latest Links: May 2009- Celebrated 6th Birthday (linkedin blog post) LinkedIn has over 50 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

5. What makes it different? Appeals to professionals in the broad 25-65 year old category Works on integrating people and trust and personalization back into the Web. For business, relationships matter Brings profit ”Before you turn 25, your social needs tend to be in the foreground. You want to be cool, express yourself, focus on your friends. I am in my late 30s. I am married and have two kids. My social needs aren't that great. My professional needs are in the foreground.” –co-founder Konstantin Guericke

6. It’s about Professionalism & Trust But LinkedIn has never billed itself as a place friends go to connect. It's about professional presentation. And with one member signing up for the site every second, it's growing increasingly useful to employers and employees alike. The site's value comes from its network. With the number of job seekers far surpassing the available jobs in most professions, it's not enough to simply submit resumes to human resource departments. Those who find jobs must be aggressive about getting a foot in the door.

7. Referrals USA Today- Bad new for workers is good news for LinkedIn “The #1 way you find a job is through referral and LinkedIn is the biggest referral network out there.” said Charlene Li, founder of the research outfit Altimeter Group "The number one way you find a job is through referral and LinkedIn is the biggest referral network out there,"said Charlene Li, founder of the research outfit Altimeter Group. "LinkedIn is great because you have some sense of where this person is and how they fit into your world," he said.- Drew Patterson VP of marketing kayak.com How LinkedIn referrals helped build a company (vid 1:53)

8. 33 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Business 1) Fill out your profile completely to earn trust. 2) Use widgets to integrate other tools, such as importing your blog entries or Twitter stream into your profile. 7) Publish your LinkedIn URL on all your marketing collateral, including business cards, email signature, email newsletters, web sites and brochures, so prospects learn more about you. 8) Grow your network by joining industry and alumni groups related to your business. 18) Request LinkedIn recommendation from happy customers willing to provide testimonials. For more  http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/07/13/33-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-business/

9. Suggested videos & articles LinkedIn Users- Venture Capital http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUFwpUFQ_tM Profile Organizer Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNAIA3Dpxcc LinkedIn ‘09 Grad Guide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnx9t8IwLzI Articles: Recession lifts social networking site LinkedIn- http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/24/technology/hempel_linkedin.fortune/index.htm How LinkedIn Broke Through– http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr2006/tc20060410_185842.htm

10. Other Resources: http://press.linkedin.com/about http://press.linkedin.com/history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_500 http://www.linkedinpersonaltrainer.com/archives/how-does-linkedin-make-money/