LinkedIn, a member of the Internet-networking old guard, is a vast database of 10 million professionals connecting and furthering their careers.

It's a great resource, but intimidating for the uninitiated. Luckily, Penelope Trunk, columnist for the Boston Globe and author of "The Brazen Careerist," is here to help. In collaboration with the site, she's created a list of 10 ways to leverage the network.

Our favorite suggestions:

3. Build a network without making networking your full-time job
6. Confirm a rumor
10. Promote your book!

Now if only we could just write that novel, we'd be in business.