Secrets to LinkedIn Networking Success

LinkedIn is the #17th most visited site on the web according to Alexa.com

101 Million Members Worldwide

41.1% female and 58.9% male

Fastest growing demographic 35+

LinkedIn Stats Review

Credits: Amodiovaleria Verde

Officially launched on May 2003

Operates in over 200 countries

Over 52% of LinkedIn members are located outside of the US

Used by 69 of the Fortune 100 companies

More than 1 Million companies have LinkedIn Company Pages

Linkedin Facts

Credits: Amodiovaleria Verde

Tip #1 Become a Thought Leader

Position yourself as a thought leader

Provide good content related to your industry

Go to Technorati.com and keyword search for blogs that provide content related to your industry

Pick the best blogs to post through your channels

Online Resource Blog Directory:http://www.technorati.com

Tip #2 Stay Visible With Good Content

Automate blog posts to your LinkedIn account with Hootsuite.com

Auto Post every 6 hours Get content from multiple

blogs to keep it fresh

Online Resource Automate Your Posts:http://www.hootesuite.com

Tip #3 Promote Your Profile

Add the LinkedIn Button to your web pages, email newsletters and signature line

Wisestamp also offers a LinkedIn button and over 15+ additional social channel links

Online Resources Get LinkedIn Promo Buttons:

http://www.linkedin.com/profile?promoteProfile=

WiseStamp: http://www.wisestamp.com/

Tip #4 Create an Industry Related Group

Think about what type of customer you want to attract

Create a LinkedIn group that would interest those people

My best prospect is someone who A) is considered an entrepreneur B) would be interested in learning more about Social Media

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_grps_top

Tip #5 Promote Your Group

Create an icon to represent your group like my “E” for the Entrepreneurs Advice Club

Promote this icon along side your other social media channel icons

It will generate curiosity and you will find more people joining your group

Tip #6 Engage Your LinkedIn Group

Set-up multiple industry related RSS blog feeds to keep your members informed and engaged

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/groupNews?dispNewsFeeds=&gid=2882195&trk=grpmgr_newsfds

Tip #7 Cross Promote Facebook Group

Also create a Facebook group for your followers You may also want to consider buying the matching domain name and build

your own social network for ex. TheSocialMediaExchange.com

Online Resource: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1310660782991#!/home.php?sk=group_156213454409754&ap=1

Tip #8 Grow Your Network Fast

Go to the Groups Directory and search for “LIONS” or Open Networkers

Post that you are an Open Networker

The more connections you have and can stay in front of the better your rate of success

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_grps_top

Tip #9 Show Your Skills

Participate in the LinkedIn Answers Forum and be seen as an expert in your industry

Provide helpful feedback and grow your business

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/answers?trk=hb_tab_ayn

Tip #10 Get Answers To Questions Fast

Need an expert answer? Need market and/or competitive research? Ask the LinkedIn community!

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/answers?myQuestions=&trk=tab_qa

Tip #11 Add Apps To Personalize

Amazon Reading List recommend books you like to readWordPress allows you to connect your WordPress blog posts to your LinkedIn account Company Buzz  allows you to follow all relevant trends and comments about your companySlide Share allows you to share your presentations with colleagues and LinkedIn connectionsTweets gives you access to the basic elements of Twitter on your LinkedIn profile.

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=application_directory&trk=hb_side_apps

Tip #12 Join and Participate in Groups

Maximum groups you can join is 50 Frequently post and participate in these groupsFollow thought leaders in the group and/or your competition to learn more

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_mygrps

Tip #13 Customize Your URL

LinkedIn gives you the option to customize your profile URL. Make it appear as“http://linkedin.com/in/yourfullname” (see mine in the picture below). This will make your profile easier to find when people are searching for you.

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings

Tip #14 Customize Your Headline

Tell them what you are an expert in. You can change your headline.You want it to be more descriptive. Consider including benefits your company offers or your geographic location if you serve a specific area.For example, mine says “CEO of WebMediaExpert.com, Social Media and Internet Marketing Mentor”

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-basic-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_*1_*1_*1

Tip #15 Customize Your Web Links

Link to up to 3 websites directly from your LinkedIn profileMake sure you customized text that appears Use keywords within your profile and give readers a better understanding of what your company doesBe sure to also add your Twitter ID

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-additional-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_en*4US_*1_*1

Tip #16 Optimize Your Text With Keywords

Use keyword rich descriptions to draw relevant search engine traffic

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-additional-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_en*4US_*1_*1

Tip #17 Use the Maximum Characters

Search engines like high word counts and lots of relevant keywords. Use all available characters

Headline – 120 CharactersStatus Field – 140 CharactersSummary – 2,000 CharactersSpecialties – 500 CharactersCompany Name – 100 CharactersPosition (Job) Title – 100 CharactersPosition Description – 2,000 CharactersInterests – 1,000 Characters

Tip #18 Register a Company Profile

Make sure your company has an updated profile on LinkedIn. Company profiles rank high in Google search rankings and it is important to link it with your personal profile, and the profiles of your employees.

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/company/989671?trk=pro_other_cmpy

Tip #19 Download LinkedIn Mobile App

LinkedIn supports the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Palm devices

Get updates, and share your status – all while on the go

Online Resource: LinkedIn’s mobile apps 

Tip #20 Research Your LinkedIn Network

Signal allows you to filter and browse status updates by keywordNarrow or expand your view based on the following filters: Network, Industry, Company, Time published,

Location, School or just most popular hash tags.Imagine saving searches to allow you to check in every day and see a real-time stream of updates from

every employee in your company. Or, perhaps even better, a competitor!

Tip #21 Request Recommendations

Users with recommendations are 3 times more likely to get inquiries through LinkedIn searches. Post these recommendations on your website

Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/references?mrs=

Takeaways

What tools will you use to grow your LinkedIn network today?

Who can you ask for a recommendation?

What industry related LinkedIn groups can you start and/or join today?

How Can Web Media Expert Help?

Design, Setup and Manage Social NetworksOffer Additional Training for LinkedIn, Hootesuite,

etc.Creation of a 12 Month Social Media Marketing PlanSocial Media Monthly Community Management –

includes design and setup of all social channels, content writing, press releases, weekly contests, monthly reports, guaranteed leads etc.

Questions and Answers

What questions can I help answer?

Thank you for participating!

Michelle Hummel

Web Media Expert LLC

http://www.WebMediaExpert.com

Phone: 513-204-9324

michelle@webmediaexpert.com