using linkedin like a pro to grow your business

Using LinkedIn Like a Pro…

To Grow your Business

flickr.com/photos/coletivomambembe/4305859251

Courtney PembertonSchipul – The Web Marketing Companycpemberton@schipul.com281.497.6567 x537

Thank you for joining me today!

• Business Development Professional at Schipul – The Web Marketing Company

• Connect with me - linkedin.com/in/cpembyrun

• Tweet me - @cpembyrun

Today we will talk about• LinkedIn for business development – an overview

• Building out your profile

• Tools for increased “cred”

• Optimizing your profile

• Growing your network

• Additional Resources

An Overview

147 Million Members

slideshare.net/amover/linkedin-demographics-statistics-jan-2012

LinkedIn Statistics

• 147 Million Members• 45% Growth in 2011• 58% Male• Top Job Functions – Entrepreneurship,

Sales, Operations• 39% LinkedIn members are Manager,

Director, Owner, Chief Officer, or Vice President - a.k.a. Decision Makers

• 40% in the US

What’s the Point?• Increase Visibility – be the answer they are looking for

and ‘the guy’ that shows up in every search

• Grow connections – find people and allow them to easily find you

• Due diligence & Research – better understand your prospect even before the first contact; find commonalities and establish rapport

• Passive communication – Low pressure ‘keep in touch’ tool

What’s the Goal?To Grow Your Business

flickr.com/photos/andresrueda/3477537829

Getting the Most out of your Dashboard

Snapshot of real-time business trends, news and connections

Top Headlines

Personalize your news based on your industry and interests

Updates from Connections

Share valuable industry information and drive more traffic to your website.

People You May Know[My Favorite]

Easiest way to constantly build your network

Build Out Your Profile

People want to work with people they like. Period.

Profile picture

Does your photo reflect who you are as a professional?

Make the most of your headline

• Pick the most important keywords first

• Focus on your niche • Don’t be vague

Introduce your Personality – You are a real person!

I am a light hearted, sometimes goofy business development professional who takes a genuine interest in providing the right answer to a client’s need.

A little side note, I am guilty of overly obsessing about the Dallas Cowboys, which is my second occupation

Words to Avoid

http://blog.linkedin.com/2011/12/13/buzzwords-redux/buzzwords_final_usa_02-2/trackback/

Cut Back on the Clutter & Focus on your Goals

Groups – As Bumper Sticker

Take a step back

Take away all of the fluff and see what is still left. Are you clearly communicating your goals and your unique offerings?

Increase Your Credibility

Ask for a Recommendation

• Make it personable

• Don’t be afraid to address the skill set you would like highlighted

• Build the relationship - be the first to send a recommendation

Be the Answer

• Position yourself as an industry leader – linkedin.com/answers

• Provide genuine answers – don’t try to sell your product

Gauge your audience with Polls

• Ask something relevant to your industry and audience

• Ask thoughtful questions that showcase your expertise

• Share your poll across your other social networks

LinkedIn Apps

LinkedIn Apps

Learn.linkedin.com/apps

Optimize Your Profile

Could I tell what you do?[Can the search engines tell what you do?]

Implement Keywords in the Right Places

Page Meta Description

Fill out your profile completely

Keyword Opportunity

Update Frequently

• Keyword – rich status updates

• Link back to blog and/or website

• Try and post at least once/day

What’s your URL?

linkedin.com/in/cpembyrun

vs

linkedin.com/pub/your-name/0/335/385

Grow your Network

Connect

• Utilize your existing contacts

• Search by Colleagues, Alumni and People You May Know

Connect – Make it Personal

Impersonal - Bad Personal - Good

Join Groups of Interest

Check out the “Groups You May Like” for new connections and conversations

Don’t forget to join the conversation and ask questions

Don’t forget your connections

Advanced Search – Find the people you want to do business with

Get Introduced by your Contacts

• Seek out the people you would like to do business with – don’t be scared

• Find the connection that is 2-3 degrees in separation

• Send the message to the person who will introduce you – BE CLEAR about why you are asking for the introduction

• Don’t forget – MAKE IT PERSONAL!

Take the Connection Offline

Local networking events are the best way to turn LinkedIn from a passive communication tool to a successful new business tool!

Resources

Check out the LinkedIn Blogs

Make your Profile Interesting

Go Pro?

Go Mobile

Courtney PembertonBusiness Development Associate281.497.6567 x537cpemberton@schipul.comlinkedin.com/in/cpembyrun

Schipul – The Web Marketing Companywww.schipul.comBlog.schipul.com

Tendenciwww.tendenci.comBlog.tendenci.com

Questions?