LinkedIn is the most obvious of the social/professional networks for many people to join. Why should you become an active user, rather than simply passively accepting invitations to connect? Because if you are not an active participant you don’t know what your potential is. It is that simple. You have to have a complete profile and a broad network. This is when LinkedIn opens up and search becomes very powerful. The following Tips assume you have filled in the missing details and enabled LinkedIn to parsed thru your emails contacts, generously inviting your people to connect on LinkedIn.
1) If you have email lists you can upload these into LinkedIn and very effectively find more connections. This is a great tool for organizations and teams to work together to expand their connections and strengthen their base.
2) When you participate in a Group related to your business, you will find people you can contact directly. This is particularly useful as you focus in on your niche product or service. Open the conversation and be personal, avoid canned letters – they will get you canned responses.
3) Engage in Groups related to your passion, potential customers in these groups may be more inclined to talk business with you based on your mutual interest.
4) Going to a conference? Research the speakers and published attendees on LinkedIn. This is a great way to find out if you are connected with any of them, find potential avenues to connect with them (if you are 2 away from a speaker can you get an introduction- yes), arrange meetings prior to the conference, and find common ground to connect with attendees. Doing the leg work before the conference makes your attendance that much more effective. Do you still need to follow-up after the conference? Of course, but hopefully you are meeting for coffee or drinks at the conference rather than simply collecting a card.
5) Traveling for business or pleasure? Invite some of your connections to get together for drinks or breakfast. This is a great way to get together in the real world with people you are connected to on LinkedIn. Make introductions to people you are connected with and be the valuable asset you are. When you build bridges for others, the same will happen for you.
6) Search for a business and job title of a potential customer. Look thru the profiles and identify specific potential contacts. Do your research, maybe you are connected to them or share a mutual connection. Pick up the phone and call them, tell them how you found them and why you are calling. This kind of transparency opens the door to further communication and follow-up emails, potentially an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Never make a cold call again.
7) Write an unsolicited Recommendation regularly. Why? Because you can. If this is your only activity on LinkedIn you are doing Great! See my previous posts on this if you need help.
*Remember, you must have a complete professional profile and a broad expanded network for the above information to be useful. Reach Out and Touch Someone.
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