June 2013

Linkedin is a B2B social network for people in professional occupations which has seen phenomenal growth since it’s inception over 10 years ago. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May It is now the world’s largest professional network with over 200 million members in more than 200 countries. Reid Hoffman co-founder and Chairman talks about the company’s founding and growth. Linked Overview

A new member joins every second Executives from ALL the Fortune 500 companies are members Enables you to network and communicate with existing clients You can connect with potential prospects Obtain valuable business building ideas Attract future employees to your company Form Strategic Alliances with other organisations

Make sure you have an up to date picture of yourself. Don’t use a company logo – a photo is much more personal Make sure you include your job title after your surname and not just in your headline, as you will rank higher and appear more frequently in search results. If you’re looking for a new job or want connections to be able to contact you directly, include your address Ask for recommendations. People you work closely with, both inside and outside your organisation. They look great on your profile to potential employers, business partners, clients and colleagues alike. Check you’re linking to the most up to date company website and that the link works. Potential clients and connections will lose interest if it looks like you don’t keep your profile up to date.

When you write your personal summary, make sure you include keywords relevant to your industry and your specific role. This will help people find you more easily. Keep your profile fresh and in the minds of those you’re connected to, by updating it regularly. Comment on relevant articles you’ve seen, general news, available jobs. Whatever you think will be interesting to your connections. You’re probably already a member of various LinkedIn groups, but how much do you contribute? Most of us are guilty of this one, but to really get your profile out there, add your thoughts to discussions, start new ones if there’s something you want opinions on, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Are you a tweeter? Connect your profiles! You can set it up so if you update LinkedIn, your Twitter account also gets updated. Set up a Linkedin company page, it’s a great way to help you grow your company’s reputation. People can find out more about what you do and the services you have to offer.

Demonstration