linkedin for business leads and profits workbook - 10 steps to enhance your online visibility and...

BizGrowthNews.com | Facebook.com/KrishnaDe | Facebook.com/BizGrowthMedia

YouTube.com/BizGrowthTV l Twitter.com/KrishnaDe

© Krishna De, 2011

1

LinkedIn For Business Leads And Profits Workbook

10 Steps To Enhance Your Online Visibility And

Build Your Network Using LinkedIn

So you have decided to join LinkedIn to build your professional network.Here are 10 essential tips to help you get the most out of building apresence for yourself and your company on LinkedIn.

Your privacy on LinkedIn: As with all social networks, it is recommendedthat you review your privacy settings. You can watch a short online videothat provides guidance on four key privacy settings to review on yourLinkedIn profile – this is especially relevant if you are updating yourLinkedIn profile. Access the LinkedIn privacy video here:http://bgn.bz/lipr

LinkedIn for business training and workshops: If you are looking for shortworkshops or in-depth LinkedIn training for yourself or your team pleasecontact us for details of our next open programmes or in-house LinkedInfor business training.

Note: it is recommended that you also review your organisations socialmedia policy for any specific guidance your company provides in relationto the use of LinkedIn.

1. Establishing your LinkedIn networking goals

Your first step is to consider your goals for using LinkedIn. Perhaps it’s tobuild your online visibility, manage your professional profile online, builda strategic network of business contacts or reconnect with pastcolleagues and clients.

Establishing your goals will then assist you to prioritise and manage yourtime engaging on LinkedIn and will help you track and measure youronline networking success.



© Krishna De, 2011

2

Notes and Action Plan:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Review your social networking keywords

Increasingly people are doing searches for people on LinkedIn, notnecessarily by someone’s name – perhaps searching for someone by theirjob title, the company they work for and their geographic location.

If you want to increase your likelihood of being found when people aresearching for someone with your skills, knowledge and experience it iscritical that your professional profile on LinkedIn includes the key wordsthat people will be typing in to the LinkedIn ‘people search’.

You need to ensure that you include your key words in your LinkedInsummary, current positions, past positions, your summary profile andyour specialities.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete

If you want to increase the opportunity to be found on LinkedIn you needto invest the time in ensuring that your LinkedIn profile is not just up todate but 100 per cent complete.



© Krishna De, 2011

3

The areas you need to focus on completing include:

Your name, your position and adding a professional picture Completing your summary profile and specialities Your educational history Previous positions (at least 2) Recommendations (at least 3).


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. Manage your LinkedIn visibility in search results

Increasingly people are performing searches in Google and other searchengines for people before and after they meet them as part of theirpreparation and research for meetings and interviews. Publishing aprofessional profile on LinkedIn is an effective way to manage your profilein search results.

Take the time to review your public profile settings in LinkedIn once youhave completed updating your profile. You can decide what informationpeople will find in search engine results and you can also create a shortcustomised LinkedIn URL which you can then use in your email footer orbusiness card.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….



© Krishna De, 2011

4

5. Enhance your profile with LinkedIn applications

LinkedIn has made available a number of free applications to help youdemonstrate your expertise and enhance your profile. Explore theapplications to see which may be the most relevant to support yourLinkedIn networking goals.

Some popular applications to consider include:

Integrating your blog with your LinkedIn profile Adding your Twitter account to your LinkedIn profile Including a multimedia presentation to your profile using SlideShare

or Google Docs Adding your recommended reading list using the Amazon

application Promoting your events on LinkedIn with the events application Inviting people to participate in LinkedIn polls.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

6. Build strategic visibility with your status updates

On your home page of your LinkedIn you will notice updates from peoplein your network – the volume of content will depend on what yournetwork shares and their personal privacy settings.

Publishing content, such as a link to helpful article or resource that you oryour company has published with an effective call to action to encourageyour network to read the article, can reinforce your knowledge andexpertise and help you position yourself as being a valuable resource.



© Krishna De, 2011

5

Create your publishing plan for your status updates and ensure that thecontent you share provides value to your network.

For example, if you decide to integrate your Twitter account with yourLinkedIn account, ensure that the content you syndicate from Twitter isrelevant to your LinkedIn network (you can be selective in the contentthat gets posted to LinkedIn from Twitter).


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

7. Build a strategic network

LinkedIn members include professionals from all the Fortune 500 and allthe FTSE 100 companies. Once you have determined your LinkedInnetworking goals as covered earlier, you now need to grow your network.

When extending your network on LinkedIn make sure that you use apersonalised message – this helps create a positive impression right fromthe start.

If you do not wish to use the LinkedIn premium paid service to connectwith someone sending an ‘Inmail’ message, you can look to connect tosomeone through requesting an introduction from someone in yournetwork who knows the person you want to connect with.

Alternatively, you can message the person direct and invite them to joinyour network on LinkedIn if they you are both in the same LinkedIn Groupand they have set their privacy to enable messages from Group members.Also refer to section 9 on the subject of LinkedIn Groups.



© Krishna De, 2011

6

Remember that success in using LinkedIn is not just about how big yournetwork is – it’s about nurturing those relationships over time.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

8. Enhance your credibility with recommendations

Just as testimonials and reviews on your company website demonstratesocial proof that your organisation has great products and services, arecommendation on LinkedIn is a great way to showcase your expertise.

Remember to re-connect with people before you requestrecommendations from people you have worked with in the past. Anddon’t forget to provide recommendations to people in your LinkedInnetwork that you have worked with, trust and recommend.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

9. Join, create and actively participate in Groups

Consider joining alumni Groups on LinkedIn for your university orprevious employers as it is a great way to reconnect to a trusted networkof past colleagues and contacts.



© Krishna De, 2011

7

Look to join LinkedIn Groups related to professional associations andoffline networks that you are a member of – this is an excellent way tokeep connected between meetings and events.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

10. Create a profile for your Company

If you own your own business you can setup a Company Page for yourbusiness or organisation at no cost.

You can also add details of your products and services to your LinkedInCompany profile including images and videos.

If you are in a large organisation you should assign accountability to amember of your organisation to keep your LinkedIn Company Page up-to-date.


………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….



© Krishna De, 2011

8

Additional Resources

If you have found this social media workbook of assistance and are looking for

additional resources, please do connect with me:

Remember to ‘Like’ the www.Facebook.com/KrishnaDe Page : where you can

access free audio tutorials to help you with your social media marketing and ask me

your questions.

Keep up to date with marketing best practice and get access to our monthly FREE

marketing and social media webinars by subscribing to our ezine at:

www.BizGrowthExpress.com

Find helpful marketing tips and news on www.Twitter.com/KrishnaDe

Watch free digital marketing tutorials at www.YouTube.com/BizGrowthTV

Discover marketing and social media resources www.BizGrowthResources.com

Read in-depth marketing tutorials and case studies at www.BizGrowthNews.com

Find tips for using Facebook to market your business at

www.Facebook.com/BizGrowthMedia

Access the latest social media tips and research at www.Krishna.me and

www.RecommendedResearch.com

Digital Marketing And Social Media Education

If you are ready to invest in your own development in digital and social media

marketing, you are invited to access my monthly mentoring programme receiving a

tutorial each week to help you build your visibility, reputation and attract more

clients online by joining our low cost “Online Visibility Mastermind”.

Do also contact me if you are looking for a key note speaker, a conference MC,

assistance to integrate your digital marketing strategy, educate your executive team

or access one to one marketing mentoring please do contact us to access more

details at:

>>>www.BizGrowthSupportDesk.com<<<