recommendations Archives

Haven't logged into LinkedIn lately? 5 reasons you really should be using it

How much do you know about LinkedIn? Sure, you probably understand it’s a social network for professionals, but it’s so much more.

Unlike most social networks that are used to share the latest vacation pictures, LinkedIn was designed for more important reasons. It can help you make connections, share work experience and find or post jobs.

Your LinkedIn profile can be set up to look like a resume, complete with accomplishments and referrals from colleagues. If you’ve never experienced the power of LinkedIn, we can help. Here are five smart ways to use LinkedIn to network, poach employees, boast and more.

Visit LinkedIn.com/Kim and post a job for free.

1. Sales prospecting

If you’re wondering what sales prospecting is, it’s exactly what it sounds like — sorting through tons of companies and individuals to find prospects who will most likely turn into paying customers.

This can take a lot of time and effort and relies on knowing where to look. In the past, sales prospecting mainly consisted of cold calling and following up with every potential lead.

Now that we live in a digital world, those days are gone. Most buyers make decisions online. That’s where LinkedIn comes into play.

With about 1 billion members, LinkedIn is a leader in connecting buyers and sellers. One of the most important sales techniques is understanding how buyers behave, making prospecting easier with greater success.

An IDC social buying study revealed:

75% of B2B buyers use social media to make buying decisions.
50% of B2B buyers use LinkedIn to make purchasing decisions.
76% of B2B buyers prefer to work with recommendations from their professional network.

Those numbers prove how important LinkedIn is when it comes to sales prospecting. Information is power and LinkedIn is packed with information buyers are looking for.

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Best dashcams for 2024

Fourth of July is right around the corner, and we’re in for record-breaking holiday traffic. Some 71 million people are expected to travel over 50 miles during the week — the most on record.

I don’t mean to be a downer, but record-setting travel also means record-setting accidents, crashes and road rage. And being a defensive driver isn’t the only way to protect yourself on the road.

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Stud muffin

Mike wrote in to ask me for stud finder recommendations. I told him to look in the mirror. Then, I asked around and found three I can confidently recommend.

Old reliable: The price is steep (29% off, $52.95), but this one’s 13 sensors track stud locations and 13 LED lights show you the center and edges of your studs. It reads depths up to 1.6 inches and runs on two AA batteries.
Cheap: Find the edges of wood and metal studs with this no-frills model from Craftsman. It scans up to a 0.75-inch depth and requires a 9V battery (not included). It’s 9% off ($10.97).
Magnetic: Run this little guy ($11.95) along the wall, hit the metal stud, and pop! goes the super magnet. This is the one for me. Maybe for you, too?

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Wanna take a road trip? Try Sēkr, a trip planner designed specifically for road trippers and those enjoying the van life. It has more scenic route recommendations and reviews for campsites off the beaten path.

🆕 No more Chromecast: It’s being replaced by the $99 Google TV Streamer, which ships in September. The new streaming device is equipped with Gemini AI and better specs, like on-screen smart home controls, detailed video summaries and finetuned recommendations.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

iBUYPOWER's prebuilt PCs will supercharge your gaming

Top gamers trust iBUYPOWER for unparalleled performance and reliability

When you’re gaming, the last thing you want is a lagging computer or unexpected crashes. Game over!

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Boost your company’s productivity with this AI-powered documents solution

Accountants, real estate agents, construction companies and marketing agencies — pretty much everybody is using Tungsten document automation to streamline workflows.

Dealing with documents in the digital age can feel like a throwback to an earlier, less efficient era. You’re buried in paperwork, navigating tons of files, and manually inputting data. It’s time-consuming, error-prone, and let’s be honest, a bit outdated.

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💓 The key to my heart: Apple quietly filed a patent that could let your heartbeat unlock your iPhone. The patent suggests they could use this tech to figure out your mood and offer custom recommendations, too. OK, they had me with the first half …

Windows 11 = Ad central: First, it was a pop-up ad to install Edge, and then ads showed up in the Start Menu. Now, you’ll see Game Pass under Settings soon. They call them “recommendations” designed to “improve your system.” It’s a money grab, plain and simple.

Save energy, save money, save the world: Open up Settings in Windows, then choose System and Power (or Power & battery on a laptop). At the top of the screen, you’ll see recommendations for cutting down on your computer’s energy use.

Get off my PC: The latest Windows 11 update crams ads for apps into the “recommended” section of the Start Menu. Yes, it’s on by default. I’ve got the fix: Go into Settings and select Personalization > Start. Then, toggle off “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more.”

Revealed: Does paying more for charging cables really pay off?

You leave your phone charging, then wake up — late — because, whoops, it’s dead and the alarm did not go off. That cord gave out on you. That’s the best-case scenario. Worst case: A phone charger starts a fire while you’re sleeping.

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Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:

Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Shortcut to find where a show or movie is streaming

A friend is raving about a new show you just have to watch. You’re in, you’re excited and then you realize, “Oh, it’s on a streaming service I don’t subscribe to.”

The problem used to be there wasn’t anything to watch. Now, there are too many places to watch shows and movies. Here’s a fast, easy way to find out what’s available where.

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Quick and easy ways to save money shopping on Amazon

Even if you’re not an Amazon fan, you can’t deny how easy it is to find just about anything you want. That includes, of course, gifts.

There’s also account security to consider. You should remove your Amazon public profile, for one. Tap or click for five security steps every Amazon shopper should take.

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One buried Google Maps setting you need to change now

Remember the old GPS units we used to get around with back in the day? Before that, maybe you printed directions from MapQuest or another site. And before that, we relied on actual maps that no one knew how to fold quickly.

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The big mistake you’re making cleaning your TV

Once the TV is on and you’re watching your favorite show, you have something else to contend with: All that tracking. Yes, your TV will likely keep tabs on you and share that data. Tap or click here for the steps you can take to stop the privacy invasion.

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Your tech is gross! 5 things you forget to clean

Bad habits can catch up with you. Like any other chore, keeping your tech clean can almost feel like a full-time job. Tap or click for steps to clean tech the right way.

You probably give your smartphone screen a good wiping down now and then. You might even dust your PC keyboard from time to time. But we’re sure there are tech gadgets that you don’t think about cleaning. No worries. We can help.

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Tech is expensive! Ways you’re wasting money and smart fixes to save

Look around your house. How much do you think you have spent on gadgets and tech subscriptions over the years?

With shiny new gear popping up daily and yet another streaming service there to woo you, it’s hard to stop the flow of cash. I can help. Here are all the best ways to scan without shelling out money for a scanner. You’re welcome.

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This powerful duster is so good I stopped using compressed air

When you think of electronics and dust, what comes to mind? Yep, a good old can of compressed air. But here’s the problem: It runs out so fast. Before you know it, you’re halfway through getting the crumbs out of your keyboard and the can is empty.

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