Are you Linked In properly?

Presenter: Doug (DA) Anderson

Leverage LinkedIn

PROFILE IN LINKEDIN

Ensure your profile is 100% complete BE CLEAR What will you do for others? Why & How? What do you want/need?

*Personal profiles make up the backbone of LinkedIn, with over 277 million users throughout the world.

Leverage LinkedIn

One of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile is your photo.

Your photo helps the people you invite to connect to identify you at a glance.

It also helps you present a personable and professional image on the leading professional networking site.

The one site that matters the most when you present your personal brand is LinkedIn.

5 Ways you can Lose your Account or get a Restricted Account on

LinkedIn™

Name Field: If you have anything but your name in your “Name” Field, you can get a restricted account

Spam or Abuse: If you are accused of spamming or abuse regardless of its validity –

 IDK’s: Otherwise known as “I Don’t Know”.  If  3 people claim they don’t know you from invitations you send out, you will earn a restricted account.

Page Views:  Don’t get over zealous on how many profiles you want to view, LinkedIn will suspend your account because they think you are “Phishing”.

 Non Professional Profile Picture: That’s right folks… in the terms of use, so make sure you aren’t showing too much skin, something inappropriate, or even a business logo.

Leverage LinkedIn

PROFILE IN LINKEDIN

Use your ‘key words’ in your profile so people can find you.

Make it very friendly and key word rich.

Provide a reason to connect with you.

LinkedIN Here’s what's new

Industry and Location

Up to date current position w. description

Two past positions

Your Education

Your skills and recommendations

Profile photo gets 20% of eye time on your profile

Aim for at least 50 connections

LinkedIN Top Tip

Ensure you know the people you invite – they are closing down the spammers and mass broadcasters.

Some might “allow everyone in”, but there are frauds and evil doers who want to know you hackers and identify theft concern.

Build your network by adding regularly. Have meaningful phone conversations on what your customers are interested in. Get off of LinkedIN and go straight to a phone call or meet in person, more effective.

LinkedIN Top tip

Ok, you have modified your profile and your Summary. Now it is time to increase your network connection to increase your business.

Aim to make connections, much like real networking, with people that are aligned with your business and your personality, if possible.

If you are realtor, you may not need to connect to another realtor profile.

LinkedIN Top suggestion

Regular updates – As often as possible (minimum 1 time per week) update your Status on LinkedIn regarding in your business life or related articles to your business in order to engage people in your network. Get good content and exposure for your business.

LinkedIn is a great business (social) network website where if you are able to utilize all the features of the website including these suggestions, you will increase your business.

LinkedIN Top suggestion

Another newer aspect of personal LinkedIn profiles which are great for connections and potential customers or employees to see are the publications, professional gallery, and projects section of a profile. 

In addition to showcasing projects and links to past work, there’s also a section called Publications, where a user can add journal articles, blog posts, and other examples of content they’ve written online.

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

Fox News Business reports a recent LinkedIn survey showed 80% of small business owners (with “small businesses” categorized as those with 200 or less employees) are utilizing social networks to find new customers and grow revenue.

While LinkedIn does offer paid services (like job postings and premium profile levels), there are ways that only cost time and effort up front, such as keeping an updated company page, employee profiles, and groups. 

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

Another area of LinkedIn to promote your job openings (whether they are hosting on LinkedIn or not), as well as share company and industry news are Groups.

According to LinkedIn, the average user joins seven groups. Groups are discussion areas where users can post discussion content and questions, promote events, or connect with others surrounding the group topics.

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

In addition to joining groups covering industry topics, your small business employees should also join regional or local groups.

For instance, a sales associate could find a lot of networking opportunities with local business people if they searched for groups who have titles such as, “[City Name] Entrepreneurs” or “[Regional Name] Small Businesses.”

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

Having an active presence on groups is something owners and employees should strive to make part of their daily or weekly routine.

By answering questions, offering their own products and services (in a non-pushy way), and connecting with others can help increase the credibility of your business, especially in your target industry market or area.

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

Many active LinkedIn groups also have in-person networking events, which can be a great way for small business owners and employees to get to know other professionals in their community.

Whether it is personal profiles, company pages, jobs, or groups, LinkedIn has a plethora of opportunities for small businesses to leverage their online presence.

Leverage LinkedIn Groups

Survey finds small business owners thinking about the greater good:

92% feel a sense of responsibility to give back

87% even if they don't see financial gain, its worth it to help

69% say social responsibility creates repeat customers

45% say their business financial position has improved, up from 39% in May 2013

LinkedIn Bonuses

- Make a custom profile URL and use it -- on business cards, in your email signature, in blogging, on your website. It's an easy and memorable way for people to connect with you.

-- Follow relevant news and companies. Like ‘groups’, these demonstrate your interests and help you keep up with the latest news.

-- Post professional LinkedIn status updates and show you know your stuff. Got a professional blog? Share your blog posts and interesting industry news.

LinkedIn Summary

¥

Time is money so don’t waste time on the internet

Are you clients using LinkedIn, if so then increase your use

Nothing beats a face to face personal

relationship

LinkedIn Summary

Follow Up:

Ensure your Profile Photo is the best it can be

Ask “why are you on LinkedIn, what is your objective”?

What are your monthly and annual goals using LinkedIN?

Networking on LinkedIn, what’s your plan

Who do you want to connect with?

LinkedIn Summary

Pre-flight Check up:

Check your Settings, Profile, Interests and Summary

Consider the groups who can benefit you

Ask for input on your Home PageConsider your Alumni network

Check out who’s hiring and growing their business / company