Utilizing LinkedIn as an Author Page

[John]

Apologies if this has been addressed before. I had a LinkedIn page when I was still practicing law, I discontinued the page when I retired in January 2014 (and started my second career as an author immediately), although it took them a couple of tries to actually disable it.

My question is whether anyone in the group has utilized LinkedIn as an additional social media site and, if so, how successful you were in terms of results (to the extent that you can quantify them). I inquired about this possibility approximately a year ago and LinkedIn's response was that they do not have capability to run author pages. However, I'm sure i've seen references to author's LinkedIn pages somewhere - but I can no longer access the site to see. My experience was that LinkedIn did generate inquiries that turned into legal business, so would happily create (or reactivate) my page with author-oriented material if it is feasible.

I currently have Facebook Author page and Amazon author page, as well as an author website, so want to see if I need to expand back into LinkedIn. Advice and experiences welcome -

[Martin]

I use it. It also has some very useful author discussion groups.

[[deleted user]]

I use it.

[[deleted user]]

I have a presence on LinkedIn, but find very restrictive and a little clunky. It's geared mostly toward finding a job, and it's difficult to do anything else with it. In addition, it seems that with all the groups I've joined, my posts have to be "okayed" before they post, and that prevents any timely interaction with others in the groups.

[Nik]

Sure, you can re-register or re-activate your old LinkedIn profile and adapt it into an author page as your current status/occupation. There are lots of authors on LinkedIn, however I don't have any data whether it's useful in any way. I doubt that readers actively look for authors on LinkedIn that much, but I would assume, that if you generate some interest through posting or re-posting interesting content, you might arouse some interest inter alia in the things you write as an author...

[Ken]

I've been on LinkedIn for a while, but it's a professional networking site for me, first and foremost. That's how it was conceived, and I believe that's how most users see it.

There has been an increase in new users over the past couple of years who use it more like Facebook, posting memes and personal updates, but that tends to get annoying.

Edit: I do have a couple of my books listed in the Publications section of my profile, but I don't do any promotion.

[[deleted user]]

The trouble with trying to connect with someone on LinkedIn is that you have to know his/her email address, which is not always possible. LinkedIn, in that way, makes the decision instead of the person you're trying to connect with, which I think is a bad policy for a website that claims to facilitate connections. For anyone interested in connecting, my public email address is kendoggettauthor@gmail.com

I just find the whole site to be obstructive when it comes to making connections with people.

[Nik]

John wrote: "I guess the question is whether it is better to try to network with other authors/readers on LinkedIn or rely on Goodreads or similar sites instead...."

I'm not sure you should put your eggs into only one or few baskets. The more connections and socializing the better. The more diversified presence you have on different platforms, the more recognizable you would become. Of course, Goodreads, where reading is the prime issuem has a much more direct relevance, but if you have time and patience to develop other venues, I don't think it hurts

[[deleted user]]

John wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I have a Linked in profile but I haven't really used it. I am in a couple writers groups but again I don't get on there much so I don't post anything. I really would like to use it..."

That's weird cause I live in the US and all of my info is in English...

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger)]

I have a free (public) LinkedIn account. You can pay to have a premium (private) account, which means you can view someones public account and they can't identify you. My experience with this website is similar to others. It is mostly for professional connections, communication, and job searches. I use it to help people I've work with by "endorsing" their skills and "recommending" them. I have also seen friendly comments admonished... "this is not Facebook." I will not change my account if I become a published author. I may have someone create a website for me similar to other published authors. Just my humble opinion.