The app phenomenon has absolutely exploded on smart phones and for Mac and Android users, but did you know you could also use apps as part of your LinkedIn activities?

Once logged into your profile, you’ll find apps under the ‘More’ tab. Initially you won’t have any, but simply go through the list and install those who look relevant to you depending on what you do.

Here’s a list of the Linkedin Apps I’ve found most helpful and why:

– Events – LinkedIn Events is an application that allows you to see what events your LinkedIn network is attending and allows you to find events recommended to you based on your industry and job function. With LinkedIn Events, you can create an event, search for events, share an event and see attendees and read comments about events.

– Polls – You can create up to 10 free polls at a time on LinkedIn to survey other members. After you add the application and create your poll, you’ll be able to see the results in a graph. Each poll can have 1 question and up to 5 multiple choice answers. A great way to mix up the marketing medium.

– Tripit.com is an app made for people who travel frequently for business like me, and it deserves an entire article dedicated to it, as I am such a big fan. But in the context of LinkedIn, if you want to let people know when you will be in a certain town so they can make the first move in arranging that ‘business coffee’ you’ve been meaning to have with a certain someone, TripIt app will automatically display your upcoming trips on LinkedIn. Want to go incognito? Don’t worry, all settings are customisable.

– Slideshare is an app which allows you to share presentations you have delivered i.e. powerpoint slides or similar via Linkedin. If you do a lot of public speaking and you promise your slides post event to the audience, simply get yourself a Slideshare account and then share the link with the event organisers or attendees. With the Slideshare app successfully installed on your LinkedIn account, your presentation will also display on your LinkedIn profile, thus positioning you as the obvious expert in whatever it is your presentations are consistently themed around.

– Creative Portfolio — Do you need a way to showcase your work on Linkedin? Upload your portfolio in the Behance Network, a free online platform for creative professionals and then select the best projects to display on your LinkedIn profile.

At the time of writing, there were 15 apps available to use and display on your Linkedin Profle, which to be honest, is a number which hasn’t grown a great deal for some time, as Linkedin are currently focussing their efforts in other areas.

However there is enough of a selection to cater to most situations and industries for the time being.

Perhaps this is because many of people don’t even know they are there to use but I hope now that you are informed, you’ll go ahead and pimp out your profile some more, with the inclusion of a few helpful apps which may well help you with your business communication, collaboration, and information-sharing.