For those of you who have been following postings by public relations expert and author of "Everyday Public Relations for Lawyers," Gina Rubel on The Legal Intelligencer Blog (here's one example), you will know that social media is a huge asset to attorneys.

Following her great advice, I thought you might enjoy some productivity tips on how to use these tools. This week we will focus on one of my favorites: LinkedIn. It is predominately a professional site that is used primarily for business connections, unlike other sites that are more informal, including Facebook and YouTube.com.

If you want to increase your network, boost your productivity and develop your book of business you can achieve this by getting familiar with LinkedIn and using this in your everyday interactions with colleagues and clients.

Set it up -- if you are not already on LinkedIn, log on to www.linkedin.com and create a free account. Take the time to create a profile for others to view. This is like your online resume.

• Spend 15 minutes per day

When you initially set up your account, dedicate 15 minutes per day for two weeks to get your profile established, learn the different functions of the site and invite others to be connected to you.

• Expand your network

You can easily build an online "rolodex" by inviting people you want to be connected to, and this can help increase your network. This invitation is e-mailed to them, and they can accept your request.

• Use Outlook

LinkedIn has the ability to search your Outlook contacts against those people in LinkedIn. Use this tool to quickly build your connections.

• Reach out

LinkedIn is a fantastic tool to reach out to previous firms or business connections you have enjoyed working with.

• Use the search facility

If you want to find out if someone is already a user, simply use the search function on your home page, type in their name and the system will advise you if they are linked. If so, you can send them an invitation to join your network.

• Ask others to introduce you

LinkedIn gives you the ability to see your connections' networks, so if there is someone you have wanted to meet, you can ask your direct connection to make an introduction for you.

• Connect others

Many people frequently ask me to make introductions to people in my network, and I am happy to make a "warm" introduction for them. LinkedIn is an easy way to do this.

• Break the ice

LinkedIn is an easy way to find out information about someone before you contact them and also gives you conversation topics when you do connect. You might notice they serve on a board you are interested in or studied at a school you also attended. You can find common ground in some profiles.

• Showcase your connections

LinkedIn shows the people and companies you are associated with and helps others see whom you have done business with.

• Review histories

LinkedIn is an informative research tool if you want to investigate someone's history of work or college related activities, i.e., alumni connections or boards of directors they serve on.

• Announce news

Provide information of case wins, publish press releases and share your good news with your network using LinkedIn.

• Keep Up-to-date

Most people are more likely to keep their LinkedIn profile up-to-date when they change roles or firms (however, they may not send you their new e-mail or company information). LinkedIn is up often more up-to-date.

• Use LinkedIn as a research tool

Use LinkedIn to pose a question to selected people in your network for research. I use this frequently and people take the time to respond as it appears as an e-mail in their inbox and allows them to provide a quick response.

• Set up dinner dates

If you are going to be in a city on business you can notify people in your network and reconnect with them for a coffee or meal.

• Increase your Web presence

Although you and your firm may already have a Web site, LI provides another opportunity for people to access information about you and also increases your search in Google.

• Invest

LinkedIn allows you to grow your connections before you need them. If you find yourself looking for a new opportunity or client; having an established network allows you to reach out to them when you need it.

• Introduce yourself

Occasionally you may see someone you have wanted to connect with that is connected to someone in your network. You might like to reach out to that person directly via LinkedIn and ask them to be connected to you.

LinkedIn is a great business tool. It requires an investment of your time to establish it and maintain it but once you begin using it you will find it can greatly increase your opportunities for connections, new business and building stronger relationships -- so log on now!

Neen James is a productivity expert, author, speaker, trainer and consultant.

First reported in The Legal Intelligencer Blog.