I’ve been a LinkedIn user since June 2003, but even as an active user I keep finding new ways to get things done on the site.  Since we continue to roll out new features and functionality on a weekly basis, I guess it’s not that surprising.  Still, it’s always fun when I find a new way to use LinkedIn.

Since everyone is getting ready for a great 2008, I thought that might be a good day to share one new trick I learned a few weeks ago:  How to do mutual introductions on LinkedIn.

I am certain you know the scenario:  you have two connections, A & B.  A & B don’t know each other, but you know each would benefit from the introduction.  The question is, how do you do it?

The reply: LinkedIn messages.

In November, LinkedIn introduced on-site messaging to the platform.  that means that you can go to any profile page, go the "Send a message" button right next to the photo, and send a quick letter to any of your direct connections.  that type of one-to-one messaging is incredibly valuable, and has become one of the ways that I easily keep in touch with contacts when I need to communicate with them.

However, LinkedIn messaging additionally supports one-to-many messages, which means you can send a loner knowledge to up to 20 of your connections.  Simply go the "include others on that message" link on the notice window, and you’ll be taken to a

full anatomy where you can add other connections or mail addresses to your letter.  A very speedy type-ahead feature automatically guesses the name that you are typing by looking at all of your connections.

So, now, when I want to construct a mutual introduction, I just follow these steps:
1) I go to the profile of Person A
2) I go "Send a message"
3) I visit the link "Include others on that message"
4) I type in the name of Person B
5) I write my message

As soon as I go send, both of my connections get a info in their LinkedIn inbox and through newsletter with the letter.  As an added bonus, whether I choose the checkbox on the notice design, both folks can plus get easy access to the other person’s newsletter address.  Person A & B can either reply to everyone on LinkedIn, just to me, or even reply through normal newsletter.

As a shortcut, you can actually do that even more quickly by just clicking directly to your LinkedIn inbox on the site, and thereupon clicking the menu item to "compose a message".

When we launched messaging, we didn’t mean it to be used specifically for mutual introductions, but it’s a common sufficient inquiry from our users that it’s great to see that you can now do it on the platform.  We’ll be looking for ways to construct that even easier and more effective in 2008.