In an effort to beef up my social networking efforts, I’ve been looking in to how to use LinkedIn on a regular basis.
I haven’t used LinkedIn much but I’ve noticed that they’ve just recently passed the 100 million members mark.
They’re also being stressed as one of the premier social networking sites ranking up there with Twitter and Facebook, so adding them to my repertoire of social sites probably isn’t a bad idea.
Here are a few useful tips on how to use LinkedIn to connect with professionals, get found on the web and share your expertise through LinkedIn tools that will help expand your reach.
How to Use LinkedIn Recommendations
The recommendations feature lets you ask any one of your LinkedIn connections to recommend or endorse you on LinkedIn.
This is a unique social marketing feature and pretty awesome one a that because this is the type of feature that goes a long way for establishing your credibility as a business owner and industry expert.
According to LinkedIn, and I agree,
“Users with recommendations are three times as likely to get inquiries through LinkedIn searches.”
Use LinkedIn Answers
“Answers” is a special section within LinkedIn where you can post questions.
When you answer questions that are relevant to your industry niche or experience, you’re establishing yourself as a credible expert and of course we all know that credibility is a buying trigger. People buy from people they consider to be credible experts.
Effectively Complete Your LinkedIn Profile
If you’re going to connect with others on LinkedIn or ask for recommendations you’re going to need a good profile.
Here are a few essential ingredients to an eye catching profile:
Summary – People are more likely to follow someone that has a profile summary that states what they’ve done, the benefits they bring to the table and what they are about as opposed to something more generic.
For example here’s a profile that gets my attention:
“Certified aerobics instructor, nutrition specialist, marathon winner and author of ‘fitness freaks.”
Unlike the more generic profile like this one:
“Inspiring people to get in shape encouraging fitness and a healthier lifestyle.”
See the difference? Which one would you follow?
Awards - You can enhance your profile by using the “Add Sections” tab.
Under that tab you have a list of about twenty enhanced profile options that you can add to your profile. Consider adding “Honors and Awards” along with “Publications” if you’re published and any certifications that you may have relevant to your business.
Pictures – People love pictures and LinkedIn has them too. Be sure to use your photo here as well.
Summary - In your profile you have the ability to include a summary. This would be a good place to s a great place to promote your business by discussing the benefits you bring to the table. For instance use your unique selling point (USP) and discuss how can you make your prospect’s life better.
Don’t make this salesy but do include a comprehensive summary of what makes your business special and unlike all others.
Using LinkedIn to connect with as many people on the site as you can, the more people who connect with you, the more potential business opportunities that will come your way.
Each person you’re connected with also has their own connections, helping you expand your reach and get more exposure.
Like any social networking site, create a goal for your LinkedIn activities and stay focused enough to achieve that goal.
Use metrics like those found on Socialbrite.org to test and track your LinkedIn success and measure how it helps you grow your business. Using metrics is always a great way to track and test your success with any tool, which is what helps you improve usage.
How do you like LinkedIn an how much success has it brought you?
Twitter: savitara
on October 7, 2011 at 6:46 pm said:
I think Linkedin is the only successful professional networking medium, it is a must tool!
Linkedin is great for professionals. I have caught up with many old friends too. You would think that I would have caught up with old friends on Facebook, but no…linkedin. I especially like that you nail down how effective your linkedin profile must be. If you are a professional, you want to look your best and have the best information in your profile possible. Too many leave it blank or put no time into it!
Hey Rochelle, so glad to hear that. Thanks for your feedback
Thanks for the help. I created a linkedIn and had absolutely no idea where to begin, this post helped. Very useful
I created a LinkedIn and entered my basic info, but that’s about it… I think I might look into doing more with it though, especially with all of these articles I’ve been reading about how helpful it can be.. Thanks for the info!!
Twitter: VictoriaBPhoto
on September 26, 2011 at 8:59 am said:
Thanks Liz, I too hadn’t realised that it has so many users! I have a profile that I have neglected a bit, using Twitter and FB more. I did install Tweetdeck which allows me to send an update to Twitter, FB and LinkedIn at the same time, but I do feel that the audiences and the tone are quite different on each of them. Time for me to take a look at LinkedIn again I think.
Hi Allen, get involved more with LinkedIn, get some friends, participate in conversations by getting in on some private sharing groups and above all add some content. Pick two or three things you can do on LinkedIn every day and make sure you do them
I’m a member of LinkIn and I don’t really know what’s up with that site. I only use it for backlinks. I don’t have friends who are on LinkIn. What should I do from there?
I had no idea that LinkedIn was getting up there with the likes of Facebook and Twitter. I made a profile a while ago when I was looking for work, but didn’t end up doing much with it as I found something fairly quickly without it. Maybe I should dust off the old profile and give it some use?