linkedin fundamentals

Deborah Smith is a certified LinkedIn Instructor who has conducted LinkedIn Training

Workshops for major Law Firms, Banks, Universities and Industry organizations. As a

sought after Social Media professional, Deborah provides public and private training,

consulting and coaching on developing winning strategies and tactics for Blogs,

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Fundamentals

The Different Cultures of Social Media Platforms

Myspace = Rock Concert

YouTube = Time Square

Facebook = Pub

Twitter = Dinner Party

Pinterest = Scrap Book Party

LinkedIn = Trade Show

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Today’s Agenda

• Why LinkedIn and The Basics

• Navigating LinkedIn

• Profiles – Development/Optimization

• Network Building– Big vs. Small, Strategic Approach

• Connecting through Groups

• Researching Job Opportunities and Companies

• Advanced Search Techniques

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February 2012: Forbes Magazine Reported a huge jump in revenues

from LinkedIn’s recruiting services making the company the fastest

growing public provider of corporate recruiting solutions.

Majority of HR Professionals and Recruiters report LinkedIn as their

#1 solution for recruiting passive job seekers.

What kind of first impression are you making?

Recruiters Use Google to Source Leads.

Google loves LinkedIn Profiles.

LinkedIn is becoming more and more accepted as a means to

connect professionally.

Are you accessible?

Why Linkedin?

The Basics: Your Network

The Connection Tiers

First Tier Connections One to One Connection

Second Tier Connections All of the Connections of Your 1st Tier Connections

Third Tier Connections All of your 2nd tier’s connections, connections

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My Network of 4,846 Connections links me to 15,652,357+ professionals.

What this means for me:

Navigating LinkedIn

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The LinkedIn Home Page Main

Navigation

Status

Updates

People you

may want to

connect

with

Who has

viewed

your profile

Updates

from your

connections

Change Your

Settings

Advanced

Search

News:

Great for

Update

content

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Don’t Forget the More Tab: Answers

Learning Center Reading List

Events Blog Link

Applications Directory

More Home Page

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Settings You Get There

from Here

Who can see your activity feed?

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Everyone

Your Network

Your Connections

Only You

Do You Want to Be Anonymous?

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Who Can See Your Connections?

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You can

choose to

show or

hide your

connections

but users

will always

be able to

see any

shared

connections

.

What Info Do You Want Non-LinkedIn Users to See?

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Profile Development

Your First Impression 14

The LinkedIn Profile Your First Impression Not a resume, Keep it Conversational How Can You Help The Person Reading Your Profile? Focus on KEYWORDS that employers, customers, clients would use.

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Optimizing Your Profile

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Headshot, close up,

looking out

Most important

keywords. Do not

make them too

broad.

Convert profile

to .pdf format,

print profile or

download vCard

into Outlook (1st

connections

only)

You Can Now Post City and State

Profile - Top Area

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Summary of information from Down Below

Web site(s) - You get 3 Web URL’s - Company Web site - Sub-pages - Blog - Customize the Label

Twitter Name/LINK Create a Personalized Public Profile URL

Summary and Specialties (Keywords) Summary Section

2,000 characters allowed (2/3 page)

– Official Info about the company – Company specialties – products, services,

industries, geographies – Territories serviced – Info about you and your role – What makes you special?

Specialties Subsection

– 500 characters available – List keywords using commas and/or

bullets (ACRONYMS are OK)

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Recommendations Add Credibility

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Additional Information

• Interests – What you do when not working

– Keep it simple

– 1,000 Characters, Commas are KEY

• Groups and Associations

– List both the name AND the ACRONYM

– 1,000 Characters, Commas are KEY

• Honors, Awards, Certifications – Not critical to have it completed

– Good place for business awards

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Building Your Connections

Quantity vs. Quality

• Why a Big Network? – Larger pool of 2nd and 3rd Tier Connections

– A greater chance of having a common connection

– More respect, sought after

– Best for Sales, Recruiting, Job Seekers, Prospecting

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Beware of LinkedIn’s “Gotcha’s”

LinkedIn gives you 3,000 Invitations Lifetime supply

“I Don’t Know” – the Dreaded IDK 5 IDK’s restricts your account!

Account Restricted? E-Mail [email protected]

• Request re-instatement

mailto:[email protected]

Messaging Options

• Tier 1: (Directly Connected)

• Tier 2 and Tier 3: – Invite to Connect First – Send message with request

– Introductions – A request to be introduced (2’S only)

• InMails – Contact anyone directly (Paid Accounts only)

• Messages can be sent between group members

• Other Options: – E-Mail Addresses – Often displayed in profile

– URL look-up - Often displayed in profile

– The Phone – Often displayed in profile

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Invitation Best Practices

• Only Invite people already on LinkedIn! • Already have a network of connections

• Craft a unique message to each person

• Reference something specific in profile or how you met

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Inviting from a Profile

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Inviting Connection

Always write

“custom text”

“We’ve done business

together” or

Pick a Group that the

recipient will look favorably

upon

(single) I am interested in connecting our networks . If I can help you in any way out here on LinkedIn or elsewhere, I would be more than pleased to do so. Please accept my invitation. If you don’t agree, please archive my invitation and don’t IDK me. Thanks David Reingold [email protected] www.davidreingold.com 28

Organizing Your Connections with Tags

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Making Connections Through Groups

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Establishing Yourself as an Expert

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Add Value in a Very Visible Way on a Regular Basis

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Job Searching and Research

Searching Jobs on LinkedIn

Use Advanced

Search

Search Under

Keywords

Location

LinkedIn will

indentify your

contacts that are

connected to the

job poster.

Ask for an

introduction.

Researching Companies

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Following Companies

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Choose

what

notifications

to receive &

when

Using Advanced Search Techniques

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Searching – Advanced Search Screen

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Search HR AND

“Human Resources”

Industry:

Pharmaceuticals

Results will provide

leads for you to

investigate. Join the

groups that these

individuals are members

of.

Search HR Professionals for Specific Industries and Companies

Save Searches

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Getting More Help

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Your Next Steps

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1. Complete and Optimize Your Profile

2. Build Your Network of Connections

3. Become Highly Visible Contributor, Be Helpful, Get

Noticed

4. Add Your LinkedIn URL to your Email Signature and

Business Cards

5. And…connect with Me.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahleesmith

http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahleesmith

Deborah Smith Social Media Consulting

Facebook.com/SocialMedia4Business

Linkedin.com/in/deborahleesmith

For Tips on using Social Media subscribe to

my blog

www.DeborahLSmith.com

732-966-7450

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