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Taking the time to answer other Linkedin participant’s questions not only allows you to contribute, it also builds credibility and expertise within your network.  Years ago, when I left my carpeting business, I volunteered for one of those “Ask an Expert” websites as an expert regarding carpet.  I answered 50-60 questions per year.  It’s been several years, since I left that program.  I still get emails from people I have helped with my knowledge.

Click on Answer a question and you will get a drop down box that also indicates what recommended Categories are most likely for your expertise.  These are based on the groups you belong to and the information in your Profile.  You will also see a heading, New Questions from Your Network.   In addition, you can click on any of the Categories listed on the right side of the page and answer questions from these Categories.

Your Options

Use one ofthe above options to see a list of current questions.  Click on an appropriate question.  You will have two options.  

• You can answer the question Answer Yourself  
• You can Suggest an Expert and provide the person with a connection or a resource that can help

While Answering the question yourself bring some immediate attention to your own expertise, connecting other people resources is also a powerful way of building relationships.  Do you remember the last time someone hooked you up to the right person?  You felt good that you had a solution to your problem.  The expert felt good that they were recognized for their expertise and could now establish a new relationship with you.   And the connector felt good because they were helpful even though they did not have the immediate answer.

This Week’s Expert Status
 

You will also see a list of  This Week’s Experts with a Star logo behind their name.  The person asking a Linkedin questions gets to select the best answer to their question.  When you are choose as the best answer you get a “Point” from Linkedin.  After several “points” you are given Expert status of the week—just a little extra bonus of recognition.  Here are the Linkedin rules for getting Expert status.

Earning expertise is easy:

1.    Find questions in the areas you know–Browse questions to find categories familiar to you

2.    Answer those questions–Remember, private answers won’t help you earn expertise

3.    Every time the questioner picks your answer the best, you gain a point of expertise–The more points of expertise, the higher you appear on lists of experts.

To be continued, your comments are always welcomed…

Al Hanzal