Networking with LinkedIn

Dr. Don RoyFebruary 24, 2015

What We’ll Cover

1. How to find and connect with individuals to build your professional network

2. Tapping the power of LinkedIn Groups for growing your network

3. How following companies could lead to new networking relationships

4. Using LinkedIn Pulse to expose you to a wider professional audience

1. Connect with Individuals

Where to Begin: Connect with Who You Know

1. Your offline personal network (friends, classmates, professors, co-workers, family friends)

2. “People You May Know”

3. Second-degree connections

Search and You Shall Find

• Not exactly sure who you are looking for? Let LinkedIn’s Search features help!

• Filter contacts by:– Name– Title– Company – School– Location

The One Phrase That Can Derail Your LinkedIn Networking Efforts

• “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

• What’s wrong with this?– Impersonal– Doesn’t sell your value

• Personalize message to the recipient

• Read the article on LinkedIn Pulse

2. Groups

Become Active in Groups

• You can join up to 50 groups

• Groups arranged around industries, interests, job roles, and location

• Groups may be open or private

• Group affiliation widens exposure to information and people in an area of interest

Benefits of Group Involvement

1. Learning

2. Prospecting

3. Networking

Group Examples:SEO SEM Social Mobile

Digital Nashville

3. Follow Companies

Follow Companies

• You can follow up to 10,000 companies

• Following does not require reciprocation like a Connection

Benefits of Following Companies

1. Learn about new developments

2. Learn from employees within the company

3. Is research tool, suggesting other companies

4. Signals your interest in the company

4. Pulse

Pulse: Found and Be Found

• Pulse = LinkedIn’s publishing platform

• Everyone has a voice!

• Find and follow influencers to learn

• Read and comment on posts (“Give to Get”)

• Use for networking (strengthening 1st degree connections; identifying interesting 2nd or 3rd degree connections)

Questions?

• Email (Don.Roy@mtsu.edu) • Phone (615-904-8564)• Office (BAS N107)• LinkedIn (https://

www.linkedin.com/in/donroy)