Boost Your Potential On LinkedIn

February 13, 2013 You already know that LinkedIn is the first place where your prospect, client, or future employer is going to find you and learn about you. With more than 200 million users, LinkedIn has grown to be the most popular social network for professionals and one of the top social networks overall. A recent research study by Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project stated that the 35% of the professionals on LinkedIn represent the highest household income and best education levels. Are you using this hugely powerful tool to its fullest potential?

Get your Personal Profile FIT for the Network

#1 Get 100% complete - You may start with your resume but write colloquially. Customize your URL, add your summary, work experience, specialties, and languages. Include up to 3 links to your website, blogs, or other social media pages using an appealing and relevant custom anchor text changing the standard "My Website" into something like "XYZ Marketing Blog" or "XYZ Website". Make it happen. Today. #2 Get Found - Optimize your profile to get found by people searching for keywords which you want to be associated with. Add these keywords to various sections of your profile such as your headline, your summary and your specialties. Search LinkedIn's "Skills" trends for keywords to add to your profile. #3 Get endorsed - Starting last September, LinkedIn allows and encourages users to recommend their connections for skills they've listed in the Skills & Expertise section of their profile. It's ‘just a click' on a plus sign, but it will give a credibility boost to your peers' profile. Endorsements are a powerful word-of-mouth marketing tool. Make sure you list everything you want people to endorse you for. Don't forget to write recommendations for people you appreciate.

#4 Grow your network - Make a second resolution for 2013: every business card you collect will go in your contact list on LinkedIn. Upload every contact list you may have, be it coming from your computer, Gmail or Outlook. Follow companies of interest and connect with people you meet to have a better idea of who they are and what they do. #5 Be Savvy on Groups - Join groups you're interested in (you have more than 1 million to choose from) and spend time reading, commenting and assisting. Start discussions, share articles, stay proactive.

Make the Most of your LinkedIn Company Page

#1 Go with a great layout - You've already realized that LinkedIn is much more visual with all the new updates. The best LinkedIn company pages have cover images with a brand-inspired creative twist. Your company's "About Us" section has been moved down to the bottom, and you'll need to engage your user before scrolling down. The user will then see your employees on the right, your products and services and your recent updates. Be prepared. #2 Products and Services - Add all your Products & Services and get interactive by adding a video to your company profile. You can even add a clip to any product or service you've already listed. With the last update, this section is now much more visible on your homepage (sidebar on the right).

#3 SEO your Company Page - The same goes as with your personal profile. Make extensive use of keywords in all sections and check back frequently for your ranking on your key products and services. If someone out there is looking for you, you want them to find you. #4 Collect Recommendations - Did you know that users can leave a recommendation for anything you feature in the Products & Services tab? Make sure that all your products and services are looking good and start getting recommended! User-generated review are gold and you don't want to miss them. #5 Target your audience and keep them entertained - You can target your follower audience by employee or non-employee, company size, industry, function, seniority, or geography. Use this tool to feature interesting and focused updates. This will give users more reasons to follow your Company page and grow its reach. What other smart tricks do you use to boost your potential on LinkedIn? Share them and stay tuned to get more! These notes come from the AMA Event "Building Your Presence on LinkedIn" presented by Michelle LeBlanc of Blue Sky Marketing. PDF is available here. If you are looking for a partner in online marketing strategy and LinkedIn for business development, contact us to see how we can help.