I just learned I’ll be shipping the preorders for LinkedIn for Job Seekers, Second Edition, this week. I should have the DVDs tomorrow or Thursday. I’ve already put mailing labels on about 70 envelopes (thanks for the preorders!) and need to print out a document to include with each order.

Here’s the new sleeve for the second edition:

I think it’s really cool that Nick Corcodilos, Mr. Ask the Headhunter, let me use this quote on the sleeve.  Nick is a guy who tells it like it is and is a serious advocate for professionals and job seekers… what an honor

The preorder price changed and is now at full price, but we do have new bundles we’re offering:

With the LinkedIn for Job Seekers, Second Edition (at 49.95) you can add in one year of JibberJobber for another 49.95 (that is a 50% discount on the regular price) and throw in the book for another 19.95.

Thanks to the many hundreds of people who have supported this project!

I got a message from a friend in New Jersey recently:

I was visiting my daughter in Vermont and saw your book at the local B&N.  Just for a smile I took one of my business cards and stuck it between a page where you used one of my quotes.  Thought whoever bought that copy might wonder how the heck that appeared.

Very clever on slipping your business card in there, I think that is hillarous!

But guess what – NEVER did I expect my book to be in a bookstore!  WOW! I asked my publisher about it and here is his response:

… if there is enough foot traffic at the store itself or in the region, either the store or regional book buyer will place an order with either of the two distributors we have our books in that do supply books to bookstores and libraries

I like it!  So when YOU ask the bookstore, or a library, for LinkedIn for Job Seekers, they can decide to order it in.  Next time you are in one try it out

Back in February my publisher booked a presentation for me in Silicon Valley and snapped this picture. I think we had about 80 people in this very small room – props to the 20 or so who were standing during the entire presentation (something I hate to do).

Okay, here’s my first problem with the LinkedIn book and the two editions:

I *just* bought your book (”I’m On Linked In, Now What?“) from Amazon and received it a few days ago. However, I found out that there is a 2nd edition, but Amazon sent me the 1st edition.

Darnit!

My publisher responds:

I’m wondering if he purchased a “used” copy or a “new” copy offered by an Amazon reseller. Only new copies purchased directly from Amazon, vs. an Amazon reseller selling a “used” or “new” version, will be the proper second edition. Unfortunately, Amazon makes purchasing “new” and “used” copies from Amazon resellers seemless and transparent from their inventory.

Darnit! If this happens to you not sure what you choose to do, but remember, if you get the first edition of the LinkedIn book you can simply contact me to get the second edition in ebook.

I’m going through pages and pages of suggestions to add to my second edition of the LinkedIn book… and this was after I thought I was done! Here are four things that are on the top of my mind right now:

1. How do you become “featured?”  It’s pretty easy to find in the help section, but I get asked this frequently.
2. What about the new Group discussion stuff?  HUGE.  I’ve always said that Answers was my favorite part of LinkedIn, and the smartest thing they’ve ever done, but Group discussions is super cool… I’m not sure if I’ll think it’s better than Answers, but right now I’m thinking they are neck-and-neck as far as coolness.  Of course, there are problems, but I think that will get ironed out.
3. Companies.  No mention of this in the first edition, but Companies are freaking awesome.  Go search for someone at ADP or IBM, and then click on the company name (that is hyperlinked), and you’ll see all kinds of juicy information!
4. and fresh today, Applications.  So far I’ve tried the slideshare application and the wordpress application, and neither seemed to work for me… but just seeing it this far along is very promising and I think it’s going to be a great asset for LinkedIn.  HOWEVER, for those turned off by LinkedIn turning into Facebook, and getting more noisy, this is probably not going to be a welcome feature

That’s what’s on my mind. Now, back to updating the book!

I’m on LinkedIn — Now What??? is ready for a second edition.  Many of you have seen my questions on MVPF, or on LinkedIn, asking for input.  I want to give you a quick status update, but first, some excellent news!

I talked with my publisher about this and we agreed everyone who has purchased the first edition should get the second edition ebook for free.  FOR FREE! I’m really jazzed about that because I wouldn’t want to have to buy the new edition every single year (I’m that cheap), and as a customer, would appreciate the free ebook so I can peruse and see what’s in the new edition.

Cool, eh? I’m not sure how the logistics will play out, I’ll leave that to Happy About.

As far as the status, here’s where we’re at:

I’ve gone through and made around 500 changes, and introduced new material.  I’ve been asked to drill down more on the advanced search, Groups, and how to use LinkedIn as a job seeker and/or a sales professional.  I also have a very cool bonus “thing” I’ll announce later, and I’m really jazzed about it.

I sent the manuscript in for editing, and have to (a) redo most of the images (all but two are outdated), and (b) add more new content.

The cover will be changed to include “second edition,” and a few other minor changes.

Then for a final review, and I think it will be ready to send to the printer.  I have NO idea how long all that takes, but I’m hoping it can roll off the presses soon.

For now, if you purchased the first edition, go hunt down your receipt, and I’ll let you know how to get the free ebook when we’re ready for that!

Yeah!

I’m not sure what the real definition of “best seller” is, but maybe we are on our way? I got an e-mail from Mitchell Levy, my publisher, a few weeks ago, saying we hit a new record. Check this out:

That’s pretty cool! What that means is that during that short period of time (two hours?), my book was almost in the top 2,000 of all books sold on Amazon.com. And, much to my delight, it was the #3 book in the Job Hunting category. The other two books were by the same author, you may have heard of Dick Bowles, the Parachute guy?

I’m flattered. And, I thank YOU.

Oh yeah, I should mention, it wasn’t long before it went back above 10,000

Is this breaking news, or “broken news?”

In the book I recommended the $60/year upgrade for those who needed to upgrade… but apparently the offer is off the table.   I’ve found out from the MyLinkedInPowerForum group that the link doesn’t work anymore.  Actually, I kind of noticed when I was on a webinar last week (after the new redesign was released) and I couldn’t find the link.

Anyway, no big deal, imho that upgrade didn’t offer much anyway.

as 12:21 MST I got the following e-mail from Mitchell, my publisher:

I was on a webinar, so it took me a while to go check, and by then we dropped a bit, but still, this is really cool:

These numbers bounce around hourly, so maybe tomorrow it will be in the 500,000 range, but for now I’ll enjoy it – thank you to all those who have supported me in this venture!

And, if you haven’t done so yet, feel free to go leave a review on Amazon.com!

One of my favorite people I’ve met this year is Murray Mann, who is a leading expert on diversity issues in the workforce and coauthor of The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos. Murray read my book and sent me the following message:

Like many people, I had accepted an invitation to join a persons LinkedIn network, but never did anything else about it. I am a serious networker but was not motivated, even hesitant, to actively explore LinkedIn. I did not view it as a valuable resource for me. That was until I read your book I’m on LinkedIn Now What??? You clear explanation of LinkedIn as a powerful tool and options for using it, prompted me to start using the online network.

I followed your advice on invitations to join my LinkedIn professional network by writing a clearly personalized message and applying key networking rules. I sent out more than 100 requests the first week and 3-5 additional requests each day. Below are the results I have realized to date:

• Almost 70 connections in 24 hours
• 118 current connections in 2 weeks
• 33 emails responding to my personal message
• 2 acceptances to two LinkedIn Groups
• 1 recommendation and 2 pending; all on brand
• 1 consulting assignment from a connection
• 1 journal article assignment for a respected publication
• a few Inquiries regarding services and our blogs

I recognize that some of these results are not typical and may have been triggered by communication with a few people I have not touched based in a while. I will be taking a realistic approach to using LinkedIn. The process of building my connections should provide some interesting lessons that I will track and write about.

Kudos, Murray, for taking a systematic approach and really nurturing network relationships! It looks like you achieved a lot: grow your network, get back in touch with people, give (through recommendations), and get bu$ine$$…!