Construction Chat  is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.  If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.

This week’s topic was LinkedIn.

One of the main reasons I started fleshing out my profile and making connections on LinkedIn was to help promote Riggins Construction. Linking to the company page in your own profile is a good way to add visibility for your company.

If you’re unfamiliar with LinkedIn, read  Top Ten Tasks (And Power Tips) by Carol Stephen.

Q1: What do you believe LinkedIn’s purpose is?

A1: Connecting with people in your network and finding others. #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A1. I used to believe that LinkedIn was just to find jobs, but now believe to find connections and content. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

I still think its a jobs tool. #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A1: Linkedin is to connect with other professionals in your field of business. #constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A1. I use LinkedIn to engage w existing & potential customers & to have a better understanding of new techniques & ideas. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

A1: It's both a resume and lead generation tool. Makes it easy to connect with ppl you have met and continue the convo. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

A1. Publishing original content is also good on LinkedIn. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A1: It's a place for professional networking. I love the business card view of it too @RigginsConst. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

Q2: Is your photo visible and your information complete?

A2-Yes…and if I could give a tip. Don't fill it with who you are, fill it with how you can help the reader! #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

A2. It better be. LI is showing up hire in Google searches now and the more complete profile the better #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A2. Yes, information filled out, but could probably do more to optimize. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A2. It's complete & I offer a LinkedIn logo on my email signature which redirects clients back to my account to join my circle. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst Lead generation is helped by using the search mechanism too. #constchat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

Your feature better tie back to their benefit or you are putting them to sleep! #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

A2: Use a professional photo. LinkedIn is not Facebook. It is your greeting to connections per @CSIconstruction #constchat

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

A2: Always. Or at least as much as possible. Both personal profile and business page. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A2: Yes! I try to keep it updated often! #constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A2: Yes! I'm vigilant at keeping up on it and updating accomplishments. Working on encouraging the rest of the team to update. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A2b. Don't forget to smile! See so many people that look mad to be there. #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

Q3: Do you have a company page?

A3. Yes and update regularly #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A3. Great question. No…personal. why brand two entities? #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

If you are trying to educate tho @RigginsConst, you can't do it with some big bulky company name. #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

A3. @iSqFt has a company page with regular updates clients or interested parties can follow. It’s here: http://t.co/b2T6doVeKB #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

A3: Yes! We like seeing the engagement rates, views. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A3: We do! But we don't keep up with that one as well. #Constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A3: Absolutely: https://t.co/8oDkZWY2fi We use it to update followers on projects, community outreach and #Construction news. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

A3: Our team links the page to their work history. As they meet people they follow us. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst I didn’t know y’all had #constchat ! Will try to catch it in the future!

— Dutch (@kbloemendaal) November 6, 2014

Q4: Do you follow companies?

@RigginsConst A4: Sometimes connect with other companies, but don't usually go out of my way. #constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A4: I follow a lot of companies (lots of Architects). They like it when you share their information. #constchat #CSIKraken

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

A4. A few. Honestly, I haven't done much with LinkedIn yet. #ConstChat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) November 6, 2014

A4: Yes, especially clients and subcontractors. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

A4: Yes, we like to support companies we interact with. Mutually beneficial! #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A4. I do try to follow companies along with other trade organizations to learn what the #construction industry is discussing. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

Q5: Do you connect with those you’ve met elsewhere (Twitter, et al)?

A5. I am working on getting better at making the connections in all SM #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A5. Not really. On a professional level, I try to keep my engagement centered around something more business oriented. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

A5. 50/50 #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

A5. For us LinkedIn is for customers and employee connectivity. #ConstChat

— Ace Industries, Inc. (@AceIndustries) November 6, 2014

A5. Yes, we connect with those we've met elsewhere. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A5: I connect with people from Twitter, Conferences, etc Typically will accept invites if they are in AEC, even if no connection. #constchat

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

A5. I haven't yet, but probably will now. Twitter chats are great for meeting people! #ConstChat

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A5: A mixture of both, but I usually stick to those I know. #constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A5. I try to connect with the people that i can help #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A5. We go from real life to online and back. We try to be friendly, always. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

Q6: Do you join groups? Do you follow people you have conversations with there?

A6. Yes on the groups. Need to join more of them, though. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A6. Yes to joining and may follow if they publish something of interest #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A6. I actually got scared away from groups. #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

We try and keep our linked in to people we know and 1 degree separated. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A6. I do.Typically #AGC chapters or other #construction related groups that pique my interest such as Construction Management. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

A6: Groups are warming up on us. We're a part of some but not participatory in them yet. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A6:Yes. Participate in groups & follow people from them. Great way to share info & expertise in more than 140. #constchat #CSIKraken

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

A6. @RigginsConst industry leader articles and publishing news have been beneficial. #constchat

— Ace Industries, Inc. (@AceIndustries) November 6, 2014

Q7: What are some of your LI challenges?

A7. LI challenge? Mainly carving out the time. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A7. It doesn’t offer suggestions based on my current likes or followings on the micro level. I have to search out new pages. #ConstChat

— iSqFt® (@iSqFt) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A7: Staying consistent and active! #ConstChat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

A7. Building audience from a business page can be challenging. Not everyone has gravitated to LinkedIn yet. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

A7. Yes @iSqFt they need a better system to get me relevant news and information #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

A7: Building our followers on co page. Personally, staying in front of connections. I need to write more. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A7. Having relevant content to share can be an issue. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A7: I wish it was possible to tag clients and partners in posts from the business page to help tie things together better. #ConstChat

— Jewett Construction (@JewettConstruct) November 6, 2014

A7. I wish LinkedIn allowed article publishing as companies. My expertise is marketing. The company excels in #overheadcranes #ConstChat

— Ace Industries, Inc. (@AceIndustries) November 6, 2014

Q8: What’s your #1 tip for using LinkedIn as a contractor?

A8-I have a tip: LinkedIn is the new Facebook for working moms. If you aren't on it, you are losing! #constchat

— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) November 6, 2014

A8. Don't be a "weekend warrior." That is, slow and steady a little every day, not 12 posts all at once on LI. #constchat

— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) November 6, 2014

A8. Make sure your profile is complete #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) November 6, 2014

Q8: Give recommendations. Like your companies post personally so your followers organically see content. #constchat

— Infinity Pools Texas (@InfinityPoolsTX) November 6, 2014

A8. Use an online editor, MS Word something to check post grammar for company pages. Hashtags are important on LinkedIn too. #ConstChat

— Ace Industries, Inc. (@AceIndustries) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst A8: Be helpful and informative without the feeling like you're selling. #constchat

— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) November 6, 2014

Bonus Tweets:

Checking out #ConstChat for the first time today..

— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) November 6, 2014

Enjoying #ConstChat so much we're streaming it via the command line! #Tech #SocialMedia pic.twitter.com/El8Cp2dv6T

— FieldLens (@FieldLens) November 6, 2014

@RigginsConst I didn’t know y’all had #constchat ! Will try to catch it in the future!

— Dutch (@kbloemendaal) November 6, 2014

My rule, if you wouldn't say it in a crowded room, don't say it on internet. Of course, that is a bit loaded coming from me. 🙂 #constchat

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

Hmmm, wasn't even planning on #constchat today. Nice to meet you all! #CSIKraken

— Cherise Schacter (@CheriseSchacter) November 6, 2014

Do you have an answer you want to contribute? Feel free to add it in the comments.

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