I started using LinkedIn about a year ago. Probably like most people I set up my profile and did nothing with it. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what else I should do.
You do need to build up your connections. Check your friends ‘connections’ too and ask for the introduction to like minded people.
It is a valid networking and lead generation tool and I’ve generated 1 hot lead through it already so I’m good with that. A friend even had a job offer last month too!
Here’s the share on a few tips and tricks that could help.
First up is your Public Profile URL… Edit it.
The default link looks something like this – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/XX/xxx/XXX which is pretty ugly and random.
What makes a lot more sense is to use the word or term you want to ‘rank’ for with the search engines. So change it to something like this http://www.linkedin.com/in/thepeterbutler but it could be your business name if you like.
It will help in Google World. Your name should still appear in the search results regardless but if the text link contains the actual words, like your name or business then that’s all the better for the search results.
Increase Your Public Profile!
I’d also recommend placing this as a link on your website. The more links on your site to other sites about you will increase your overall profile on the internet.
A point to consider, when people click on that link and they’re redirected to your LinkedIn page the sexier URL will appear in the address bar, much more professional rather than some generic random line.
It’s easy to edit. Just hit ‘edit my profile’ and click on the text. Your name might be taken already so be prepared to slip in something that sets it apart. You can use a digit or perhaps ‘the’ as a differentiator.
I have both my LinkedIn and my Facebook profiles as links under a category link ‘social media sites’. My take is this, people want to do business with people and this shows them that humanness side. You should have decent profiles set up on both Facebook and LinkedIn.
Your Own Personal Built In Website Feature!
This is huge. Click on ‘Applications’ in the left navigation bar and you have 10 applications at this point ready to ‘plug in’ to your profile.
The biggest for me was the WordPress plug-in. This feature means as I make a post to my site it appears in my profile automatically. So my last 3 posts are sitting in there with no effort, getting more exposure and all the while telling my story and adding to my credibility. That is a very cool tool.
Yup, it has a Built In Slide Show Presentation too…
The Slide Share Presentations will be my next set up – this will be a real boon for a lot of people too. I show my wares via Power Point so this will work particularly well for me.
What plug-ins will suit you?
Depending on the nature of your business as to which other plug-ins will be most useful to you. This is the short list of other tools – Google Presentations, Blog Link, LinkedIn Polls (cool), Trip-It, Reading List by Amazon and some online collaboration tools.
It seems the issue for most people is time, to learn how it all works or committing to ‘building that network’. It’s the same for me so my take is to do this stuff in my ‘slow’ time or at least not my ‘peak’ productive time. I’ve even sat there with my laptop while I catch a TV show to get through it.
So, go to it and get LinkedIn!
While your there let’s get connected too. The more ‘connections’ we all have the better.
Here’s my public profile link: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thepeterbutler
See you on LinkedIn!
Is your website and marketing all it’s supposed to be?
If not go here NOW!
17 Point Marketing Website Prosperity Check
Committed to Generating “Highly Qualified” Leads and Making You More Money,
Peter B Butler
“7 Points To a Profitable Website” and Bonus “How To Generate Fresh Qualified Leads on Auto Pilot”
Finally: An Automated Marketing System & Website Platform That…
* Systematically Generates Fresh Leads.
* Automatically Qualifies Leads and Prospects into Clients.
* Predictably Makes You Much More Money!
… All On Auto Pilot? All Those In Favour Of That Say ‘AYE’!
To find out more go here to get your FREE Website Prosperity Check! valued at $350.
Reader Interactions