Bulletin to some of my Arizona advertising brethren with whom I've recently discussed it: It works!

Let me count the ways (so far):

1. Reunions - First of all, it induced and enabled me to reconnect with a number of former business associates, friends – many in marketing agencies – and clients after varying lengths of time (from months to years) being out of contact.

What a delight this particular aspect was. It turned up people like New York-based Jeff Burger, longtime executive editor of Business Jet Traveler magazine, who I, as publisher of two national trade magazines in the late ‘80s, had hired when he was fresh from a stint editing Phoenix Magazine (aside: I'd hire Jeff again in, ahem, a New York Minute).

2. Recommendations (inbound) – Like other Arizona advertising agencies, we long have realized that word of mouth is by far our most effective advertising. The kudos I have already received in the first few days – you could check it out – have been enough to warm the cockles of this near-petrified, but well-gratified old heart. I never thought I could possibly hear so many kind remarks about me .. . without dying.

3. Recommendations (outbound) – Although it may not be an integral part of one's marketing plans, we've found that this recommendations feature has also has given me the opportunity to recommend and relate some pertinent information about some of the great services and people I have come across and in the past 33 years, both in this business and as an active member and leader within some key business groups like The Arizona Small Business Association, The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and The Executives Association of Greater Phoenix.

4. Idea exchange – One of the first things this strategic marketing guy did since surfacing on Linkedin was to launch a discussion group, Marketing Partners Memos, and the response has been great – over 40 members and several comments on the first full day! In Memos, we take up marketing and management topics that have an impact on our bottom line, and we really would welcome your insights and active participation (I'm betting you'll get some valuable tips, too, because we've got some very bright, experienced and well-qualified folks contributing, already).

5. Overview – Just this feature, alone, is worth the price of membership in Linkedin (it's free of charge, already!). I refer to the exposure and outlook it gives one to the business scene and the various segments in which one is most interested (it's like looking in through the windows of the shops of some folks you have often wondered about, without being detected).

6. Gift-giving – I've noticed that some of the people I've had the opportunity to ask to connect with me on Linkedin had not previously been active on the site, much like my situation barely a few days earlier. I'm already convinced that if they take advantage of the medium, they'll appreciate it as much as I do. And if they choose to join the Marketing Partners Memos group (simply click the Groups link at the top-left of the Allan Starr Profile page) that, alone, will be worth the price of admission.

...(Like I said, – it's free of charge, already!)