When I was offered the opportunity to review a new book about LinkedIn I thought I would skim it and pick up a couple of tips for better optimizing my profile or managing my group interactions. I was wrong.

The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success is far more useful than that.

The big problem I have with most books about LinkedIn is that they are pretty basic. I know all that stuff. What I need are ways to take better advantage of LinkedIn’s core networking capabilities. This is what makes Wayne Breitbarth’s  LinkedIn Success such a valuable resource.

Here are three of my favorite takeaways:

1. Use Keyword Search to Optimize Your Profile. We all know that using keywords can mean the difference between turning up in the right searches and having your profile relegated to anonymity. But do you know how to identify the best keywords for your profile? Breitbarth walks you through how to use advanced search to figure it out.

2. Build Your Professional Gallery. Hopefully you know that LinkedIn lets you share hyperlinks to a wide range of media files. But what to include? Breitbarth lists some of the things he is sharing, including his blog, video testimonials for clients, a link to the sign-up form for his newsletter, and a PowerPoint presentation. Getting any ideas for your profile? I know I’m taking notes.

3. Let Saved Searches Be a Lead Generator. Did you know that you can set up a search, save it, and have LinkedIn send you a weekly or monthly e-mail when someone new that meets the criteria joins your network?

LinkedIn Success isn’t going to rock your world. It’s not supposed to. But what it will do is give you strategies and tactics to use the online platform effectively. Whether you’re a LinkedIn newbie or a veteran user, you should learn something that you can apply. I know I did.

What’s your #1 LinkedIn tip?

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success in exchange for agreeing to review it–but without any restrictions on what I might say.