Maximizing your presence on LinkedIn for those who know the basics

Basic Assumptions You understand the value of social networking You understand the value of LinkedIn, why you should use it, & how you can use it You know how to customize it so it fits the persona you want You don’t need the detail needed in a regular presentation.

What advice would you give a person wanting to maximize the value of LinkedIn? (I was awarded best answer on LinkedIn for this answer) My top 10 list: 1. Utilize your LinkedIn profile link on business cards, resumes, cover letters, and e-signature blocks. 2. Hook to your personal web site or blogs 3. Answer questions so you get known. 4. Join groups that both reflect your interests (to show the color beyond the facts of experience) and to maximize your reach into the database of people.

5. Choose one or more apps to help people get to know you or get to know other aspects of you (like the Amazon reading list) 6. Conclude every physical world networking meeting with (a) "are you on LinkedIn?" and (b) "may I send you an invitation so we can stay connected?"

7. Get in touch with previous clients, supervisors, peers, coworkers, and subordinates off LinkedIn and (a) ask them if they'd be willing to say something positive about you online, (b) if so ask them if they have a LinkedIn account, if not explain the process and their minimum participation needed in order to post a recommendation, (c) have them notify you once the account is created, and (d) send them a request for a recommendation. Recommendations from people who can speak to the quality of your work are superior in the eyes of reviewers to those garnered from other LinkedIn associates who you may help in a pay it forward fashion, but are often looking for reciprocity. (I'm not discounting the value of the latter, just making a comparative analysis.)

8. Do research on companies where you might want to work or to sell a product. Work towards an informational interview or company culture information so you can either work into an insider referral for an interview or a warmer sales call. 9. ALWAYS send a thank you note to anyone on LinkedIn who has helped you in any manner possible. LinkedIn is all about developing relationships and we all like to think that our time is valuable and appreciated. 10. Create a marketing tag line for the top of your profile that helps to identify you with your occupation in a memorable fashion. The shorter and more meaningful the better. [You might consider investigating “Personal Branding,” a marketing workshop, for assistance.]

If you found this too brief: Please see the more detailed presentations I have on my web site addressing the use of LinkedIn for: –Building & maintaining a client network –Utilizing it in your career development –Utilizing it as part of a job search strategy

Feel free to send me a LinkedIn invitation. Steve Freedman