That's a lot of people by any standard.
If you're interested in networking with the basketball community, LinkedIn has its fair share of professional players, coaches, NCAA and NBA executives, and run-of-the-mill car salesmen with a self-identified interest in the game.In fact, there are 123,757 user profiles that mention the keyword "basketball." Not to confuse sports here, but you can fill up Ford Field, and then some, with those numbers. And remember, that's only one keyword.
Bottom line: you should have an account. I'm guessing - based on that swollen M after the 45 - that you're probably already in the game. The question remains, how do you maximize this service to connect with the basketball community?
Here's 5 surefire ways:
- Groups. Start or join one. Basketball junkies like to stick together. Don't think so? Just ask one of the 646 Alumni of the NBA. We're not talking about Karl Malone here. These are professionals that have worked for the League Office or one of the 30 NBA team properties, front office and interns alike. Outside of the business of basketball, you have professionals that are willing share their personal rooting interests (Cavs, Lakers, and Bulls, anyone?). Networking is about building and maintaining solid relationships. What better way to do that than by finding and sharing common ground.
- Ask and Answer Questions. LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Nobody here is going to care, publicly at least, about how to attack a 1-3-1 zone. Questions are reserved for professional topics. For example, if you're the marketing manager for an NBDL team seeking to learn about best practices in advertising and promotion, or if you have great insight on mobile marketing, then the Q+A feature is essential for multiple reasons:
- To get feedback from a diverse, educated, and experienced audience
- To establish and uphold your subject matter knowledge
- To interact and add value to the community (Don't forget: this is social media!)
- To forge potential connections and meet like-minded professionals - Recommendations. Give and receive. Providing recommendations to worthy connections demonstrates 1) that you care for your current/former colleagues, clients and service providers, and 2) whether or not you can write worth a lick! Don't dilute your word's value by endorsing everyone and anyone, and make sure you present the facts; your rep is on the line. Take this seriously. On the flip side, receiving recommendations can enhance your credibility and reinforce your personal brand differentiators. Ask a trusted connection to supply their thoughtful praises.
- Applications. Traveling to the USBWA conference? Have a basketball blog? Reading one of John Feinstein's basketball books? Leverage one of LinkedIn's applications to "enrich your profile, share and collaborate with your network, and get the key insights that help you be more effective."
- Introductions. After narrowing down which organizations you're interested in working for, and the people you want to connect with, find out 'who(m)' in your network is already working there or has connections within that organization. LinkedIn makes it simple. Send a polite and professional request to your network contact to bridge the connection. This function landed me a gig last summer with the famed Entertainer's Basketball Classic at Rucker Park; proof that it works.
Of course there are many more ways to get LinkedIn with the basketball community on this platform. Please leave your best suggestions in the comments section below. Sharing is appreciated. Don't be a ball hog!
