Your Social Media Advisor
You’re now on Linkedin, so how do you drive brand recognition, lead generation, and buzz? One great way is through Linkedin Status Updates. These are on an individuals profile under their headline and in the log in section of your account in the center near the top.
Here are 5 Keys to updating your status on Linkedin.
1. Think “Attention Grabbers”, Words or phrases that will stand out. When people are accessing their account , think about what words or phrases will catch their attention?
2. Once you have your subject, one way to be creative is to think of subject or topic “keyword(s)” that can be listed first. For example if you look below in my status update I have put the subject as TWITTER. Here is a bonus, put only the subject keyword in caps and drive more attention.
3. Create a call to action by providing a link. This link can be to your website, blog, linkedin group, event signup, survey, etc…
4. Try to keep your status update no more than 60 characters or around this number. One tip is to try to keep it less than 10 words. The shorter you keep it, then the more attention you will grab.
5. Use link shrinking for long url’s. Some providers you can use are www.tinyurl.com , www.bit.ly , and the best one being www.tiny.cc which allows you to track how many times someone clicks on the link.
3 Special Bonus Tips to measure your efforts
1. Using the www.tiny.cc is an easy way to track click throughs.
2. Track comments made on your status updates, no comments? Then be more creative.
3. Watch on the right side of your linkedin account and see if your profile views increase.
~Randy Schrum
Learn more on “Fast Start Guide to Linkedin Success” by registering for my “no cost” eBook and Linkedin tips on the right.
Register for our “Linkedin Power User Strategies” Webinar, held every Thursday. This is a “no cost” webinar loaded with amazing content and live Q & A at the end. Register here.
Are we connected yet on Linkedin? Send me an invite already! linkwithrandy@yahoo.com
**What do you think of the article? Post your comments, Re-tweet, or post in your linkedin groups.**
Linkedin can be an endless source of leads, job opportunities, referrals, and multiple income streams. However, none of that matters if you have not optimized your efforts both with your network and your profile.
Optimizing your network: First key step to optimizing your Linkedin network is to build a network based off the target market you are after and want to penetrate. In order to do this write a list of potential industries and titles you are targeting. Then identify those you have interacted with in the past and invite them to connect with you. You can also target those on Linkedin within the advanced search option, who are open networkers. Using such search terms such as LION, Toplinked.com, and opennetworker can generate a long list of members whom provide their email address readily to accept connection invites. In addition you can add the keywords of your target market in the search allowing you to find those open to connecting within your target audience.
The next key to optimizing your network is to add tags or categories to your connections so you can effectively manage which target market they fall within your connection base.
(Learn more on this by joining us for our Linkedin Strategies Webinar this Thursday with Q & A at “no cost”.)
Bonus Network Tip: Now that you have the right target people in your network be sure to reach out to them and keep them updated via email or by updating your status in your Linkedin profile on a regular basis.
Optimizing your profile:
Your Linkedin Profile is your online professional brand, just google your name and see what pops up. More than likely your Linkedin profile showed up near the top.
I often tell people “Your Linkedin Profile is Your Resume”, so how well does yours read?
1. First of all is your profile complete? Things such as work history and education are critical.
2. Have you written a compelling headline?
3. Do you have a good profile picture loaded? Preferably a nice headshot professionally done.
4. Think about your list of specialties and make sure they are keyword rich so you appear in more searches and are found easily within Linkedin for your target audience.
The first key is completing your profile. I cannot stress enough how an optimized profile is critical to measurable success on Linkedin.
Bonus Profile Tip:
Take a look at my profile and in the summary you will see I noted common misspells of my name. Why have I done this? Because someone may misspell your name searching for you on Linkedin and never find you if it’s not within your profile.
~Randy Schrum
*Linkedin Strategy Group: Learn more Linkedin Strategies and Tips at the most collaborative Linkedin Group available within the Linkedin space.
*Linkedin Strategy Webinar: “No Cost” Series, Join us every Thursday different times every week (4pm EDT or 7pm EDT “subject to change”). Don’t worry if you can’t make the live webinar, sign up anyway to gain access to the recording.
*Profile Optimization: Not sure if your profile is optimized at its best? Need the help of a professional who has helped countless others? Email support@mycorporatemedia.com For $300 get your profile professionally revamped, in the email subject please put “Profile Re-vamp”.
***LinkedIn is a networking tool that helps you discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts and business partners.
I talk to people almost everyday who are either confused on how to set their profile up on Linkedin or have come up with reasons why they will NOT complete their profile. This really is the 8 Hundred Pound Gorilla of Linkedin! Why do I call it that? Simple, so many people everyday ignore this very critical piece on Linkedin and most other social platforms, yet it sticks out like a 8 hundred pound gorilla in the room.
So many people leave their profile unfinished and expect their efforts on Linkedin to pay off. I have spoken with numerous Linkedin members who don’t understand why their countless hours, week after week participating on Linkedin does not pay off. The number one reason I have found is an incomplete profile!
Here are eight reasons to complete your profile:
1. Most critical is that your “Profile is your Resume” on Linkedin. This is how individuals and companies qualify & view you. See my past article.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Have you loaded your picture on Linkedin yet? See my recent article.
3. Tell others your specialities. By listing your specialities you can show up in keyword searches done by other linkedin members.
4. You can drive traffic to your website or blog.
5. You can show your expertise through recommendations left by others, which is one of the best forms of advertising. See my article on becoming a Expert on Linkedin.
6. A complete profile shows you as a person well versed in the internet and social changes. While an incomplete profile can communicate “old school” mentality.
7. Be found by past clients and friends. Often times past clients and friends may find you by certain keywords, your picture, employment history, or schooling.
8. Because it’s the 8 Hundred Pound Gorilla in the room!
If you are confused or frustrated, Here is a “No Cost” Linkedin Webinar that will share power strategies on building your profile along with other Linkedin secrets August 20th 7pm EST. Sign up here.
Randy Schrum
Group Facilitator of Linked Strategies
As a Linkedin member, group manager, sales professional, and potential hiring employer. I have to say that profile pictures do matter! I am amazed at the number of people on Linkedin, which is a business professional site who do not have a profile picture posted. Instead they choose to leave it empty or with some alternate pic or logo.
Here are the reasons to have a profile picture:
Often times in the Linkedin space you may have a well written profile, but if you have no picture. You automatically leave viewers suspicious which requires more time many people do not have to find out more about you. In addition many will not spend ANY time to learn about you or respond to your request, as you appear to be less than forthcoming or do not take your professional profile seriously.
To learn how to put a “professional profile” on Linkedin along with other Linkedin Power Strategies join us for this “no cost” webinar here. The next webinar is August 20th 4pm Eastern. Be sure to register to learn when the next one is available.
Randy Schrum
Grow your professional network fast here.
Which Linkedin groups should I be in?
Belonging to the right groups is only part of it, submitting quality post/discussions and answers is important as well. Now participating is only part of it as well, each post should have a “branding” signature you leave behind. With a key phrase, website, or call to action on you or your brand.
Finally any articles you write for your website or blog (now is a good time to have a blog or website….hint-hint) can easily be submitted to a group at the bottom of the groups overview. This drives more “organic” traffic to your blog or website.
Your Friend
Randy Schrum
Follow all my free tips at twitter www.twitter.com/randyschrum
*Now available Randy’s “Fast Start Guide to Linkedin Success” eBook click here to learn more
