By Darren Gilbert

Now, this may seem rather strange. On first glance, LinkedIn doesn’t appear to be the most ideal platform for journalists. However, first glances can also be deceiving. With that in mind, here are a few tips for journalists interested in using LinkedIn.

Use it for targeted searches

According to The Poynter Institute’s digital media fellow, Jeff Sonderman, LinkedIn is a perfect platform to find experts and sources on short notice. “Search for someone’s name to find out where she works. Search for a job title and a company to find out who holds that position,” he writes in his article on Poynter.

However, there is more to search than says Anna Heim, a writer for The Next Web in an article: “Besides basic options such as looking for someone who occupies a specific position at a certain company, you can add interesting filters to make sure you’ll find exactly what you are looking for.”

For Sarah Marshall, the technology correspondent for Journalism.co.uk, you need to learn to love the advanced hyperlink. She writes in her article that this allows you to search for both a source working within a company or a previous staff member.

Use it to keep up to date with companies

The opportunity to follow companies on LinkedIn is a vital feature for any journalists who are interested in making full use of the platform. One reason, as Sonderman explains, is that by following companies, you’re able to stay up to date with what is happening.

As Heim points out, this can include the latest news, which can range from new recruits or job changes at companies to a new initiative that they are about to begin. In other words, you can track just about anything about a company. Sonderman continues: “Company pages aggregate information from all LinkedIn members who are employees of a particular firm.”

In saying this through, it is important to point out that this isn’t so much about monitoring what a company does and keep it on the right track as it is about reporting on what is happening.

As an aside, if you want to keep track of an industry rather than one company, try out LinkedIn Today. As Marshall points out, LinkedIn launched it as a news site, which is organised by areas of interest.

Use it to ask questions

For Heim, LinkedIn’s Q&ampA platform is a great for anyone looking for answers. I’d tend to agree. Heim explains herself: “LinkedIn’s 135 million members are its main asset here: it means you can easily reach a non-geek audience on time for your deadline.” It also means that you will have an audience that is always available to provide you with an answer.

And then of course, such a page can provide you with inspiration. “Besides asking questions, you can use the Q&ampA page to browse existing content to find inspiration for stories you would like to cover,” adds Heim. Such story ideas can then be filtered through to the other two points above by, firstly following a company, and then searching for someone within that company to interview and give your story credibility.

What are your thoughts? Do you have any other tips for journalists using LinkedIn? Tell us below.