Linkedin..... opinions welcome

Businesses tend to set great store by Linkedin as an online networking tool. There are also agencies that can take your content (and money) and tweak your profile to broaden its reach into the business community.  I cannot trace a single order to Linkedin and I do wonder at its usefulness. Have others got more positive results or an opinion to share?

They quote 225 + million professional users all over the world....Someone seems to have got something right.

I totally agree with Mike, I spend so mccuh time accepting inviations from people and then never hear from them again through Linked-in.

Carl

I think Linkedin is the one of the best tools around for networking, years a go it would have been impossible to build a network as varied and valuable as you can with linkedin. However it depends very much on how you build your network. I only accept invitations from people who are relevant to my business and I only contact people who are relevant to my business. It isn't a friendship network. however it has to used properly and you need to build a reputation, however it does open the door to giving you the possibility to access people you would probably never had the opportunity to meet. That said if you are waiting for people to come to you, you could be waiting for some time unless you are vital for the success of their business say a product buyer for a large chain. If not you should create your leads and introduce yourself or ask others to introduce until you reach the contact of interest. You must be proactive with your linkedin profile and as mentioned earlier post articles, initiate debates and build your reputation as an expert. Don't look at Linkedin as sales tool but as a professional cocktail party. If you don't work at it no one will talk to you. I would stay away from marketing agencies they sell packages to boost your profile, they will never know you as well as you know yourself and will never give the correct impression of who you really are and Linkedin is about professional people not companies.