I use LinkedIn and a few other private social-networking sites. The private sites are far more valuable to me when I need to obtain some inside information on an organization, some business-related regional information, some sage professional advice, or a few fruitful introductions to people who have more than a little influence. Since I’m still a social climber, and one who frequently disadvantages himself by turning down the tantalizing offers Mephistopheles likes to put before him, I still play the role of modern-day courtier to the wealthy, the powerful, or the prestigious from time to time.

I primarily benefit from LinkedIn three ways: 1) it helps me keep track of friends in my professional networks—where they are, what they’re doing; 2) when I need a social capital resource that I haven’t already cultivated, I run a quick search in my LinkedIn network in order to see who knows whom and this helps me develop strategies to get my tentacles into institutions, organizations, industries, universities, cities, or some of the hard-to-access professional cliques out there; and 3) it’s an easy way to keep a decent public résumé online for all the professional folks who might want to take a peek at some of the professional things I’ve done without having to invest much time in getting to know the real me—this helps some folks determine whether I’m credible or worth getting to know. Additionally, many professional folks like to stay in quid pro quo mode these days (I’m in quid pro mode only 25% of the time). And, for the sake of efficiency, I like to help those quid pro quo types, who only want to trade favors and couldn’t care less about becoming one of my good friends, figure out whether I’m the sort of fellow they would benefit from trading favors with over time.

Several good friends have benefited from my LinkedIn connections. Two friends have hired someone I recommended. Two of my friends’ friends have contacted me for local business intelligence. I’ve helped three friends get into selective graduate business programs using LinkedIn resources. And, I have helped more than a dozen folks, mostly college buddies, get back in touch. I haven’t been able to pass along a lucrative business opportunity to anyone yet. Nor have I helped a friend land a big contract using only my LinkedIn resources.

I’ve found that blogs have worked well for me as efficient ways to seek out interesting conversations or new social eLationships with people who think like I think and, perhaps even more importantly, with people who don’t think like I think. I’ve met dozens of interesting folks online. But I’ve only talked with five of them over the phone, and I’ve only met two of them in person. Most of my eLationships stay digital and their digital nature often limits their value somewhat.