Here’s a link to the section of Linked in that explains how to select the widget button you want to add to your blog. Click on the Promote Profile link on the page that this link sends you to.

The widget allows your readers to jump into your Linkedin profile in case they want to network with you more directly beyond commenting on your blog posts. You have your choice of a few different button styles so see what you like, copy and paste the script into your site, and see how it fares for you.

If you haven’t set up a Linkedin account go ahead and do it now. You’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll catch up with old friends and colleagues. I’ve already hooked up with a bunch of my fellow Tuskegee University alumni.

I’m waiting to be approved by the Toastmasters International, INROADS, AfroSpear and Entrepreneur.com groups. Click on my profile icon in the left sidebar next to this post. That’s where you can see all the detailed info you can add for friends and potential professional contacts to refer to you or even refer you to others.

I still have a bit of work to fill mine out but check out some of my contacts and see their online resumes and other key info they think is valuable for others to know. This is by far the best online networking tool I’ve found.

The only issue is that Linkedin doesn’t seem to be allowing new groups to be created at this point. Not sure why but the link says they are working on making their groups database more efficient searchwise. Hopefully they will get it together soon. In the meantime the only method to join a group is to go thru one that any of your contacts happen to belong to.

The Linkedin crew’s efforts to reformulate their search algorithm is no stumbling block though. Sign up today and tinker with your new online community this weekend.