Optimizing LinkedIn: Answering Questions

Show of hands…how many of you have gone to the Answers section in LinkedIn and answered questions posted there? How many of you even knew this feature existed?

The Answers section is a great way for members to share their knowledge with other members. It’s also a good way for members to ask their most burning business questions.

There are 22 categories to post questions. Many of those categories have subcategories, so it’s highly likely that any question you have can be posted. Questions range the gamut from serious to fun. Here’s a sampling:

• If you could attend the perfect social media seminar, what are the three topics you would like to hear about?
• What would be the value for a dynamic automatic planning system?
• What are some resources available to student entrepreneurs in Canada?
• Do you have a thrill of a lifetime? What is it? Mine is driving a racecar and skydiving…just once.

When someone asks a question, it appears in the Answers section, in their own Profile and in the feed to all of their LinkedIn connections, giving many people the ability to respond.

So, what’s the big deal about answering?

First, it shows that you are a great resource…and it’s just nice to be able to help someone.

It also allows you to establish your expertise in an area. And, you’re showing that expertise not only to the person who asked the question, but to anyone you’re connected to, as it shows in their feeds—and your answer posts on your Profile. It’s also emailed to the person who posted the question.

The nifty thing, though, is that you can earn “expertise points” when the person who posted the question selects your answer as the best. The more points you get, the higher you appear on the list of experts.

Obviously, it’s to your benefit to answer questions, earn expertise points and be listed as an expert in your field. However, it seems at first blush that this could take a lot of work, reading the many questions posted every day.

It’s not as hard as it seems. The simplest solution is to select the category (or categories) you have expertise in and subscribe to new posts via RSS. Take a couple of minutes every day to quickly scan the questions and respond to those you can.

However, don’t make the mistake of “selling” your products or services in your response. Be helpful but not pushy. Remember that we work with—and buy from—people we like.

Have you had success in connecting with people by answering (or asking) questions on LinkedIn? Do you have any tips?