LinkedIn anyone?

[Former_Member]

Does anyone use LinkedIn as a social media tool for their etsy shop? I've been told that LinkedIn is just one big job board, but I feel that it's another great tool to connect with "professional" etsy sellers.
I have one of my own- I just didn't know if I should take the plunge and etsify it haha.

[TerraRhapsody]

I use my LinkedIn for my full time profession, although it does also note that I am director of my own company. I use my real name on there, rather than my online alias. I have considered linking with other etsy sellers, but I'm not sure how many people use LinkedIn for handmade networking.
Obviously, with it having my full time profession on there, I have to be careful to keep it professional, so I don't link my facebook or twitter to it or anything like that.

[Former_Member]

I should have specified- I don't mean using it as a marketing your products tool- I meant mainly for networking.
I completely agree with the professionalism of the site!

[TerraRhapsody]

Aye- I understand what you mean. Not sure if many other people use it for their etsy shop, in all honesty. I've not seen linked in mentioned here much. I would be interested to see some more replies!
Will you be taking the plunge to add your etsy?
I thought that even if it didn't increase any traffic to my etsy, that the addition of it would at least show any prospective employers that I have more than just my full time job skills.

[Former_Member]

I have realized that starting and running this shop has helped me gain some skills that I could market. A lot of companies are looking for social media and SEO skills for example I have been thinking of adding it to my linked in profile

[Former_Member]

I do use LinkedIn, but don't link it to my Etsy site. It does show me in a more professional light however... perhaps I should include my shops as a "business owner".

[Orchiada]

I have a linkedin acct and profile. Yes I use mainly as professional networking. I have joined some teams there to discuss marketing and so forth. I do have my day job listed primarily but I have a clip from my etsy shop and I do discuss and my etsy shop and items on there. Not hugely but enough I think. I have also used it to help advertise or promo for my mom who has her own business that she is trying to get off the ground it is typing adn secretarial services from home called Type Assistant. So I do use linkedin..................I also have gottem some feedback from those who've seen my linkedin sight and went to my etsy store because of it. Sooooo......I figure wtih enough poles in the water I am bound to get a fish to nibble, LOL


& Daphne I soooooooo agree with the experience gained in all this starting a business stuff. I never thought that I would be able to build a website, which I did (apart from etsy), built one for myself and my mom's business. It's funny b/c my mom keep on telling that I should go ahead and put building websites on my resume and adviertise for that.............I havfe been thinking about it. all of the stuff that goes into it and how much i've learned about SEO etc also...

[Former_Member]

@sheena, My dad said the same thing to me. That I could market some of these skills. Before he said that, I didn't think about it like that. I have learned a ton of stuff from this shop I wouldn't have learned otherwise.

[ArtistLydiaMakepeace]

I just created a profile and was interested in others' thoughts and uses of this tool. Thank you for this post! I've read that LinkedIn is a powerful tool that gets underused.

This is a great article about maximizing and getting the most out of your LinkedIn account -

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-simple-steps-for-improving-your-linkedin-visibility/

I have learned that you have to realize what kind of tool LinkedIn is. I use it for networking and it's a great place to ask for design and marketing advice from experienced, successful professionals. You can actually judge how relevant their advice is from their profile! I'm trying to connect to buyers at high end brands too. I'm dreaming big! I want to be spotted by the trend setters and have my items sold in stores!

If there isn't already, I was considering starting an Etsy shop group. Would anyone be interested in a group of this type? Message my Etsy shop.

In addition, LinkedIn is great for SEO. Search engines consider it a high quality link. LinkedIn is like a semi public resume and I have listed myself as a small business owner with a description and link to my shop. I've actually had some traffic from LinkedIn to my shop too!

I am also a painter and have found that by joining an abstract painting group I have found the creative community I have been so longing for. It gives me a great outlet to dialogue and ask for critiques of my fine art.

I recommend creating a calendar to schedule your time and make time for specific tasks at certain times and days. It has made a HUGE difference in my productivity and I'm not stressed out so often about making time to promote and market. I schedule certain days to post a comment or question in one of my groups on LinkedIn. I know maintaining yet another social account is overwhelming especially when you're trying to create, list, photograph, Facebook, twitter,blog, pinterest, etc. Phew!!!

Here is a link to my LinkedIn profile. Hope this gives you a good idea of LinkedIn's potential.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiamakepeace/

[CarolaBartz]

I am on LinkedIn, but still don't use it very often. I have connected with other artists there and there are some interesting Etsy discussions going on. I really feel I should be there more often, but simply cannot find the time. I have drastically reduced my computer time and spend more time creating in my studio. I often feel like wasting time when I am on the social media sites because it can distract so easily.

[Former_Member]

I just signed up on LinkedIn today. In addition to my Etsy store I am also a Close to My Heart Consultant and that is where I got the suggestion. Since my main passion is my card making I would like to make it relevant for my Etsy store in addition to the supplies I sell.

Any other suggestions out there with regards to using LinkedIn? Maybe since this thread is older more people are involved with this option now?