Small BusinessSocial Media Marketing

Suzanne HullContemporary Business Solutions

suzanne@contemporary-business-solutions.comTwitter: @contempbusiness

LinkedIn

The Big Picture

LinkedIn 101• What is LinkedIn?

• Create a Profile

• Create a Company Page

• How to Engage

• Homework

What is LinkedIn?LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Founded in Dec 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. As of 15 June 2010, LinkedIn had more than 67 mil registered users, spanning more

than 200 countries.

www.wikipedia.org

How Does it Work?The purpose of the site is to allow users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection.

www.wikipedia.org

How do I Use my Connections?

• Your network of first-degree, second-degree and third-degree connections can be used to gain an introduction to someone a person wishes to know through a mutual, trusted contact.

• It can then be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities recommended by someone in one's contact network.

• Employers can list jobs and search for potential candidates.

• Job seekers can review the profile of hiring managers and discover which of their existing contacts can introduce them.

• Users can save jobs for which they would like to apply. www.wikipedia.org

How Does it Help My Business?

“Gated-access approach"

Company Research

LinkedIn Answers

LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn DirectAds

“Applications platform"

Let’s create a LinkedIn Profile

Let’s create a LinkedIn

Company Page

NOW WHAT DO I DO?• Get Involved in Groups

– Answer questions that match your expertise– Post questions for discussion

• Ask and Answer Questions– Answer 2-4 more questions than you ask– Answer questions that match your expertise

• Connect with Prospects via Search Feature• Update your status• Logging in 1-2 times/week is usually enough: <

1hour/week

HOMEWORK• Build out the Summary, Specialties,

Experience, Education & Additional Information sections

• Add Connections – Everyone you know

• Add your “vanity URL” to your business card, website, e-signature, Facebook & Twitter profiles

HOMEWORK• Send out 10 requests for

recommendations• Join 10 local, national and

international Groups– CarpeDM (Seize Des Moines!)– Des Moines, Iowa Network Group– LinkedIowa– YPIowa

QUESTIONS?

Suzanne HullContemporary Business Solutions

suzanne@contemporary-business-solutions.comTwitter: @contempbusiness