We are now ending our Big 3 Social Networking Sites Tutorial with the last (but certainly not least!) of our social networking sites: LinkedIn. Now, at first glance, I was not interested in networking on LinkedIn. It looked like a stuffy, boring office, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid by working at home!! But once I got on board with it and began to work the site to its full potential I was floored by how easy it was to connect with people.
LinkedIn is probably one of the best social networking sites for businesses because everyone on that site is specifically looking to grow their professional network AND the site is so underestimated that the amount of competition for these leads is far less than you would find on either Twitter or Facebook. Don’t make the mistake of glossing over this potentially lucrative Web 2.0 site!
Again, LinkedIn is a professional network. You want to have a PROFESSIONAL profile that will attract the people who you want to network with. Include skills and past experiences you bring to the table that will make people want to connect with you. There is no need to upload a resume, but truly think of your profile as a mini-resume, what do you have to offer to the other members of the site.
Include your PICTURE in your profile. Like I have said before Do NOT include a picture of other dogs, people, kids, flowers, etc. in your profile picture. This is “network” marketing folks! People want to connect with people. I see so many networkers on these social media sites who do not even bother to put any picture up at all! BIG mistake!
You want to have a 100% complete profile – LinkedIn has a nifty little bar on the side that shows you how complete your profile is. Getting recommendations from people you know is required to get to 100%. Ask those you have worked with in the past or present to write a short recommendation for you, and do so for them in return.
It is best if your recommendations are from other network marketers, as that is your target market. This is very easy to do and you can send out requests for recommendations right from your LinkedIn site.
Just like Facebook and Twitter, the only people who will see your messages or posts are people who you are directly connected with. For this reason, you need to consistently add connections. Luckily this is very simple. In fact, I find it easier to add more connections more quickly on LinkedIn than on any other networking site. This is one of the reasons it is such a powerful tool for your business. Here is how to do it:
Unlike Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn does not have a daily limit for adding connections. This is powerful! Alright, sorry… I just really love that feature. So here we go… Now, when you completed your profile you put in both past and current jobs. Obviously, for “jobs” you should have put past and present business opportunities. You will then be able to “mass-connect” (up to 50 at a time) with others who have that particular company in their profile.
I recommend including a personal message when you request to connect, just like you would with Facebook. Although, I have found most people accept since they are looking to build their connections as well. Now after you have connected with all of the people in your current company, look for past businesses you have been involved with.
In your past employer section, include companies that you’ve had any sort of affiliation with even if you haven’t “technically” worked for them. For example, I have downline members in my current businesses that also are involved in other biz ops. And I’ve helped them in my current business so I think I’ve been a “consultant” for that business. Right?
Same for my past life as a lifeguard. I worked for several places as a Red Cross certified lifeguard and water safety instructor… and although I was not technically on the payroll of American Red Cross… You get my drift! The list could go on and on, don’t forget volunteer work you have done as well! Once you have added those businesses in your “past-employer” section, you’ll be able to send a request to everyone associated with that company asking them to connect. Lastly, be sure to check out the “People You May Know” section. I have found a lot of great connections there from other networking businesses such as Herbalife and others. After you have a few hundred connections it’s not as important for “appearance’s sake” to gain more connections. So perhaps adding all your fellow Boy Scout Leaders, you can start honing in on people who are already involved in network marketing, which is your target market.
I find that this can be very simple to do once you have a good amount of connections from your own network marketing companies set up. Then LinkedIn will find all the people you have mutual friends with, but are not yet connected to, and put them on the People You May Know page. Most of your networking friends have networking friends in other businesses that you will be able to connect with.
The more you add the more possibilities open up! It’s a true snowball effect. I have been able to pick up some great leads through these strategies.