LinkedIn is the premier social media website to connect on a preofessional level with peers, co-workers, customers, suppliers, prospects, professionals, Part-Time CFO's and more.  A common issue I hear from those on it is that they don't see the value of it.  I usually figure they just aren't using it very effectively, because I have had a fairly rewarding experience with the it.

In the spirit of understanding how to most effectively use LinkedIn, I have found several well-written articles on the subjects below.  Please find links to those articles along with my brief commentary below.  If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
 
7 Ways to Have Character (and Show It) on LinkedIn - Good tips on how to be and active, not a passive, user.
 
30 Do's and Don'ts for Using LinkedIn - Practical advice on managing your profile and using LinkedIn and a communication tool
 
Use LinkedIn Effectively - The beginning of this article gives some good basics, and then the end of the article lists 5 powerful ways to use LinkedIn, including researching your competition and getting information on prospects.
 
5 Ways to Use LinkedIn Groups Effectively - Good advice on the Groups functionality
 
4 Ways to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Business - Some repetition from the other articles, but the perpsective is very valuable.