Advice on LinkedIn (small business, contractors, advertising, employer)

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

What do you know about LinkedIn as a place to put business information? They seem to want you to give your email adress in exchange for, it seems, getting into your addresses, etc. Yet I do see some what seem to be successful people use it. Any help is appreciated.

[StoneOne]

As a small business owner and consultant, I find it to be a useful way of advertising myself and posting my resume online. I've also used it to find contractors for projects. I can't say that I can definitely trace any business to the site, but I still get the sense that it's a worthwhile endeavor to have a decent profile. The best networking is still done in person through existing contacts (clients, current and former employers, well-connected friends, etc.).

[wanneroo]

I signed up and then shut it down. It basically shows your whole name and life histories for anyone with a google search function to find out. I didn't like that at all.

[golfgal]

I use it as a referral source for my clients. I have select professionals there that are useful for my clients and if they ask for referrals I direct them to that site.