As a recruiter I can testify that Linkedin is a wonderful tool.

Linkedin has slashed my advertising costs, enables me to easily find people I would never have previously found, and market my self and services at almost zero cost (my time to set up Linkedin initially, and brief daily management).

However as Linkedin evolves, and the worlds business population becomes more comfortable with online media  and social services, I know I am barely scratching the surface of what Linkedin can do for me.

Aside from my recruitment business, I have also started helping friends promote their businesses using the Internet; combining websites, blogging, Google Places, Linkedin, You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.

Though I still class this as a hobby I find in fascinating how most small business owners are reluctant to invest much time in the marketing of their businesses via the net, this soon changes when they see the potential, and unbeatable ROI this form of marketing offers.

Linkedin can be central in this marketing approach whether marketing yourself and your skills, or your company and services offered. If you are looking for a job Linkedin enables so much more than an on line CV / resume, as you can showcase your abilities in your Linkedin profile, summary and experience sections, and back this up with proof of achievements, through Linkedin recommendations provided to you by bosses, colleagues, and friends.  Add in the ability to show videos, slide presentations, white papers, and links to other social / business media you might have.

A good Linkedin profile could become your most powerful sales tool.

Anyway whilst Linkedin remains a free service for the majority of people and businesses, I feel it is a service well worth investing a few hours to evaluate how much it will help you.

However the purpose of this article is to tell you about a Linkedin training course I recently bought. Linkedin Influence is a video and ebook training course on how to make the most out of linkedin. I felt I knew most of the recruitment tricks for Linkedin, and bought the course to help me better understand how small businesses could best promote themselves, develop their brand, reputation, and bring more leads to their door.

This course has been put together by author and Linkedin expert Lewis Howes, who demonstrates how to set up Linkedin so that you get out of it whatever you need, be it more business, job opportunities, potential partners or investors.

The course comprises 25 videos broken down into 4 modules,  two pdf ebooks covering basic Linkedin set up and advanced Linkedin strategies, and a excellent bonus course for Twitter called Twixplode (Twitter and Linkedin can be the perfect marketing combo, and this bonus shows you how).

Linkedin Influence will be ideal for those who are familiar with Linkedin, but are unsure of how to turn its potential into the value you are looking for.

So if you think you or your business could benefit from Linkedin look take a look at Linkedin Influence by Lewis Howes.

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