Social Media, Why and How: LinkedIn by Jon Cressler

Who is using it? Your customers Your competitors

Why businesses should use social media The cost to enter and participate in the social space is minimal. You can boost corporate and executive thought leadership. Opportunities for providing customer service and feedback abound. You can dramatically increase traffic to your company website. You can better manage and monitor your brand. Social media is a great place for (free!) competitive research. You can generate leads and better develop your business.

What is LinkedIn? Manage the information that’s publicly available about you as professional. Find and be introduced to potential clients, service providers, and subject experts who come recommended. Create and collaborate on projects, gather data, share files and solve problems. Be found for business opportunities and find potential partners Gain new insights from discussions with likeminded professionals in private group settings. Facebook for businesses and execs. Headhunting and discussions. FlipperSiteDeveloper group.

Latest LinkedIn Facts LinkedIn has over 100 million members in over 200 countries. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

Study: LinkedIn tops Facebook in importance Fifty-nine percent of social media users said it's more important to have a LinkedIn account than any other type of network membership, according to a study released by ROI Research Inc.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/joncressler 5 Ways to Make the Most of LinkedIn Tell people what you’re up to. 2. Do “small goods.” 3. Look up everyone. 4. Beef up your expertise on potential employers. 5. Remember your manners. 10 7 Ways for Small Businesses to Use LinkedIn Acquire new customers through online recommendations and word of mouth. Keep in touch with people who care most about your business. Build your industry network—online and in person. Get answers to tough business questions with a little help from your real friends. Win new business by answering questions in your area of expertise. Network with peers in your industry for repeat business referrals. Keep your friends close and your competition closer. http://blog.linkedin.com/category/linkedin-tips/

3 ways to make the most of LinkedIn CBS Moneywatch, June 2, 2011

Company Pages Launched in November 2010, Company Pages give businesses a space to upload information and product photos, and to showcase recommendations and endorsements. Think of it as a graphic-rich brag sheet you can use to fill your connections in on business announcements, endorsements and other information, and where they can share their experiences with your brand.

Questions? Follow me at: www.twitter.com/PenPubJon www.facebook.com/PenPub.Jon Follow Pen Publishing Interactive at: LinkedIn > Companies Facebook > Pages