Maximize Your LinkedIn Connections
- 1. Maximize Your LinkedIn Connections November 15, 2011 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Donovan Ray Hardenbrook The Alternative Board Valley of the Sun Leap Innovation LLC 12/28/2011 1
- 2. Our Goal Today! • Make the business case for social media and LinkedIn • Show how to complete your LinkedIn profile • Share ideas on how to use LinkedIn to market your company 12/28/2011 2
- 3. Donovan Ray Hardenbrook • Leap Innovation LLC & The Alternative Board Valley of the Sun • Global Business Bank board member • John Maxwell Team Certified Speaker, Teacher and Coach • The Alternative Board Certified Facilitator and Coach • 28+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, quality and product development – Intel Corporation, Salt River Project, Orbital Sciences and Sandia National Labs • Product Development Subject Matter Expert • RAB-Certified Quality Management Systems Auditor • Executive MBA from University of Arizona • MS and BS Electrical Engineering degrees from NMSU 12/28/2011 3
- 4. My Mission Grow business leaders in our community through business advisory boards and leadership coaching 12/28/2011 4
- 5. The Alternative Board Peer Advisory Private Coaching Board Meetings Sessions Four hours a month with 9 other A certified coach who helps you non-competing business owners prioritize and think strategically Practical, candid, and objective Works with you to plan the advice and ideas regarding your execution of your strategies plans and challenges An opportunity to work on your Assists in board meeting business without distractions preparation An expert resource to discuss An accountability team that new business challenges and wants to see you succeed issues Focus, Alignment, and Accountability! 12/28/2011 5
- 6. Business Owner’s Strategic Advantage Learning Leverage Benefits Perspective Business Clarity Diagnostics Monthly TAB Improved Strategic Planning Decision Making Peer Board Meetings Mutual Behavioral Accountability Assessments Private Advice & Ideas Business Networking Coaching Increased Sales Business Sessions Increased Education Profitability Personal Growth 6 12/28/2011
- 7. Why Social Media? • Nearly 800 million active users on Facebook* – 3rd largest country – ~200 million users in the USA* • 175 million users on Twitter (April 2011) • 96% of the Millennials have joined a social network • 80% of companies use social media for recruitment * Source https://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics 12/28/2011 7
- 8. Why Use ? • 135+ million users as of November 2011 – 60 million users in North America – 18.8 million business decision makers – 4.6 Small & Medium Business Professionals • 3 out of 4 members use LinkedIn for everything business • 64% agree that LinkedIn helps develop new relationships and grow new business SOURCE: http://marketing.linkedin.com/audience/ LinkedIn is a better platform for professional social networking than Facebook 12/28/2011 8
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- 10. Plan Your Trip • Destination? – Sales – Marketing – Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Thought leadership • Method of Transportation? – Social Media – Face to Face – Blend of both 12/28/2011 10
- 11. Pre-Flight Checklist Attractive website o Company o Products/Services o Social media elements Strategic and integrated marketing plan o Market segmentation THINK STRATEGIC o Brand differentiation o Marketing communications Good on-line reputation 12/28/2011 11
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- 14. Your Flight Plan! 1. Complete your profile 100% 2. Import contacts 3. Create company page 4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 5. Groups 12/28/2011 14
- 15. TIPS: • Be consistent with website • High quality headshot • Keywords in descriptions are important 12/28/2011 15
- 16. 1. 100% Complete Criteria Business/Work Experience Education TIPS: Picture • Use keywords in your descriptions Summary • Use industry terminology • Spell check! Specialties Three (3) Recommendations 12/28/2011 16
- 17. TIPS: • Summary should be consistent with CV / Bio • Use keywords relevant to your target market and industry • Use industry terms NOT your company specific terms • Don’t use acronyms unless they are commonly understood 12/28/2011 17
- 18. TIPS: • You can approve recommendations before they’re posted • A recommendation for recent work is ideal • Don’t post too many from one customer 12/28/2011 18
- 19. LinkedIn is Part of Your On-line: • Brand image • Reputation • Relationship tool • Communication tool …Manage it carefully!! 12/28/2011 19
- 21. Connect with Business Contacts TIPS: • Invite contacts already on LinkedIn • Focus on quality NOT quantity! • Those with a lot of connections are good! 12/28/2011 21
- 22. On-line Etiquette • Similar to conventional networking • 3rd degree connections max • Do you know the person? – Referral – No invites from strangers • Use InMail if appropriate – LinkedIn Premium accounts allows more InMails but cost $24.95-$99.95/month 12/28/2011 22
- 23. 3. Create a Company Page 12/28/2011 23
- 24. Company Page: Products & Services TIPS: • Create products and services page • Create links to your website • Add embedded YouTube videos • Post jobs (paid service) • View Analytics 12/28/2011 24
- 25. 4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) • Keywords • Company • Industry TIPS: • Expertise • Find people & groups in target companies • Geography • Get introduced through your network • Must be 3 degrees or less • Also useful for SEO rankings 12/28/2011 25
- 26. Keywords 12/28/2011 26
- 27. Use Keywords in Profile TIPS: • Optimize for key words used in the industry or profession • Keywords in Headline • Keywords in summary • Keywords in work history 12/28/2011 27
- 28. 5. Participate in LinkedIn Groups • Areas of expertise TIPS: • Professional organizations • Pay it forward • Follow up with members • Industry associations privately • Target companies • Only pick relevant groups • Never solicit! • Past company groups • DON’T SPAM!!! 12/28/2011 28
- 29. Group Page 12/28/2011 29
- 30. Why Create a LinkedIn Group? • Subject Matter Expert TIPS: • Determine if there is • Thought leadership already a group like the one • Interactive forum for you have in mind • Invite clients, customers, like-minded people prospects • Be inclusive not exclusive • Build relationships with • Avoid selling customers & prospects • Keep the Three C’s in mind • Content • Moderate discussions • Connection • Control (loose not tight) 12/28/2011 30
- 31. LinkedIn Groups 12/28/2011 31
- 32. “Feel Free to Move About the Cabin” • Recommendations • Answers Section • Set company alerts – Post questions • Market research – Answer questions – Advanced Answer • Advertise Search • Track your profile & • Post jobs others • Get introduced via • Lead Generation InMail 12/28/2011 32
- 33. Key Takeaways 1. Think relationships not transactions 2. Know your objective and be intentional 3. Manage your on-line brand 4. 100% Complete Personal Profile 5. SEO optimization on key words 6. Participate in relevant groups 7. Commit to nurturing your network 12/28/2011 33
- 34. SPECIAL OFFER to Business Owners FREE One Hour Business Assessment – Find out about your business – Identify your key business challenges – Determine if I can help you 12/28/2011 34
- 35. Happy Landings! don@leapinnovation.com (480) 264-9009 12/28/2011 35
- 36. Useful LinkedIn Resources • www.linkedin.com • http://marketing.linkedin.com/audience/ • Linked Strategies Group • 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Susan Gunelius, $17 U.S (amazon.com) • Valley of the Sun Business Owners Networking Group 12/28/2011 36