There HAS to be a Better Way: Tips and Tricks on LinkedIn

Presented by Brenda Meller at

SEMEA

May 28, 2015

LinkedIn is the #1 professional networking site for

working professionals. If you're just getting started

on LinkedIn and need some help - or if you're on

LinkedIn but not sure if you're using the site the

right way, this session is for you. Attend and learn

tips, tricks, and more

Let’s Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller

Let’s Learn About LinkedIn

• Introductions

• LinkedIn 101

• What is LinkedIn?

• How to Get Started

• Tips and Tricks for Salespeople

• Resources

• Q&A

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Why Am I Here?

Assistant Vice President of

Marketing

Dual MBA/MS in Marketing Student

Coffee / Pie / Chocolate Lover

A LinkedIn Ambassador

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LinkedIn Reminders

Company rules / policies

LinkedIn will change… again

Everyone has a different comfort level

Listen, learn, consider… then decide

What is ?

• Professional networking site:

• Launched in 2003 (Me: 2006)

• 347 million, 200 countries*

• 40% check in daily**

• Every Fortune 500 company*

• Avg connections:

• Per CEO: 930 connections**

• Per US woman: 101**

• “Connections”

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*Source: LinkedIn.com

** http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/by-the-numbers-a-few-important-linkedin-stats/

Three Areas for

Beginners

1.Create a FREE Account

2.Build Your Profile

3.Invite and Accept Connections

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1. Create a FREE Account

• Your connections will see your email address IF you connect

• You can associate multiple emails (home, work) to your account

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ALWAYS DO BOTH

Build Your Profile

AND

Invite and Accept

Invitations

• Snowball effect

• Your profile will always be “in progress”

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My suggested profile checklist 1. Photo

Professional (no baseball caps, no

sunglasses)

Pleasant, smiling, professional

Head & shoulders

2. Headline: Your current job title.

BONUS: add a slogan or descriptive

phrase. Or a goal.

3. 10+ connections = active

4. Simplified URL

5. Websites: use all 3 links

Your company website

Blog

Association website

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2

3

4

5

#5

HINT: click “Edit,” choose “Other”

and type in description.

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My suggested

profile checklist

6. Professional summary

statement

7. Experience

8. Recommendations from 2+

different connections

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6

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My suggested profile checklist (continued)

9.Endorsements

10.Groups

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© 2015 Walsh College

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Any Overachievers?

To achieve “All-Star” • Your Industry and Location

• An up-to-date Current Position

(with a description)

• Two Past Positions

• Your Education

• Your Skills (minimum of 3)

• A Profile Photo

• At least 50 Connections

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TIPS: Character Limits

• Headline: 120 characters

• Professional Summary: 2,000 characters

• Status Update: 600 on LinkedIn (only 140 if sharing on

Twitter)

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maximum-linkedin-character-counts-2015-andrew-foote

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TIP: Connections

• Yes, you can export connections. *CAUTION*

• Yes, you can request introductions via your 1st level

connections.

Exporting Connections List

http://15minutesadayonlinkedin.blogspot.com/2012/03/exporting-your-connections-list-with.html

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3. Invite and Accept Invitations

1. In search box,

type in name.

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Inviting Someone to Connect

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ALWAYS

ALWAYS

ALWAYS PERSONALIZE YOUR NOTE

BONUS: be helpful.

Create social media karma.

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People Search

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Advanced People Search

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Should You Accept? • Via “INBOX”

• Hover over “Accept” and click arrow

• Click “Reply (don’t accept yet)

• Reply with Hi (firstname), Thanks for the invite. Have we met?

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The “New” View • Hover over “invitations”

• Then click the word

“invitations”

• Hover over “Accept” icon

until the pop-up appears

• Click arrow

• Click “Reply (don’t

accept yet)

• Reply with Hi (firstname),

Thanks for the invite.

Have we met?

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Six Tips for Business Professionals

1. Join “Groups” on LinkedIn

2. Give and request recommendations

3. Add skills, click to “endorse” skills

4. Add LinkedIn URL to your email signature,

web bio, business card

5. Update Your Status Frequently

6. Using LinkedIn for Sales Professionals

© 2015 Walsh College 23

1. Join “Groups” on LinkedIn

Associations

1. Join groups where you

have professional

memberships.

2. Join college, alumni

groups, former

employers.

3. Join professional

interest groups to

network with like-

minded professionals

in your industry.

Industry Groups

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2. Recommendations = Highly Visible Kudos

Remember Former Managers, Vendors, Clients, Co-workers, etc. etc.

1. Give someone in your network a recommendation.

2. Request recommendations. Aim for 2-3 minimum.

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3. Endorsements: Quick, but Telling

1. Consciously endorse someone in your network.

2. Review your endorsements.

Add Skills & Expertise to Your Profile Click to Endorse Your Connections

© 2015 Walsh College 26

Endorsements:

Change Your Focus, Change Your Results

October 2013 May 2015

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4. Add LinkedIn URL to your email

signature and business card

HOW TO ADD LINK?

1. Go into your email and find the link

to adjust your account settings.

Typically this is referred to as

“Email Signature”

2. Add the logo with hyperlink to your

LinkedIn URL or simply the text.

Ex: www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller

5. Update Your Status Frequently

Your status

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1. Update your

status

TODAY.

2. Update your

status once

per week.

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Suggested Status Update BONUS

Conferences, workshops, etc.

attended

ADD: what you LEARNED

Job opening in your network ADD: any insight into applying

Industry or company news item ADD: your key takeaways

Networking or other professional

events you plan to attend

ADD: why you are attending

BONUS: LinkedIn Tips ADD: the text “please click to

share”

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6. Using LinkedIn for Sales

Professionals

• If you’re initiating…relationship first, connect second

• If they’re seeking you… be ON LinkedIn

– Answer questions in groups, add keywords to your profile

– Recommendations, endorsements

– Go where your sales leads are (Groups, etc.)

– “Follow” their company page

• Check out your competition (job titles)

– Updates, activity, groups

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Visit “HELP” on LinkedIn

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Long Form Post (aka “Pulse,” or your LinkedIn Blog)

https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/8368819

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My Cheat:

Inspirational

Messages

ROCK

on LinkedIn

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HOMEWORK: LinkedIn 1. Get on LinkedIn

2. Set up your account

1. Photo

2. Description

3. One other thing from my checklist

3. Connect with me

4. Connect with a few others

5. Create Social Media Karma:

1. Endorse

2. Recommendations

6. Join a Group and engage in discussion

BONUS: spend 15 minutes a day EVERYDAY

www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller