Take the time to review your Linkedin profile right now.  Look at your Current and Past positions, Summary, Interests, and Groups for opportunities to implement the Linkedin profile strategy discussed in the video.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments. Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute, let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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Everybody else is doing it, right?  All types of companies are turning to Social Media.  Large fortune 100 companies, big local companies, all the way down to your favorite coffee shop down the street.  Is everyone just jumping on the band wagon or is this social media stuff really working?

Is it because you do not want to be left behind?  The companies that are building their social media presence now, creating great content online, and attracting an online following, are the ones that will continue to grow at a rapid pace.  Those companies starting now will be far ahead of anyone jumping into the social media pool a year from now.

Maybe there are other reasons?  Maybe its because you see your competitors using social media.  Maybe you are interested in social media because it is all the rage…  Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and blogging are the current buzz words and you want to be a part of that buzz.

The reason why you see big brands using Facebook instead of their website is they want to create a presence where their customers are spending their time.   Everyone is doing it because social media works.  The companies with a strategy are attracting new business using social media as you are reading this.

The reasons why your business should get started with social media are endless.  The most important thing is to get started and figure out how social media can work for you and your business.  Take the time to listen to what is being said on Facebook and Twitter about your business, brand, or industry.  Research the web and read blogs that mention your business name.  Find out what your customers are saying about you and your brand online.  Use Facebook, Twitter, and blogs learn before you jump in!  And most importantly… get started now!

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To guide you through making the best possible profile or redesigning your current Linkedin profile, use the following 7 tips:

#1 Use a professional picture and create a great headline

Use a professional picture – I am amazed at how many Linkedin profiles do not have a picture.  Linkedin is a professional network and your profile must include a great picture.  Choose the picture that represents you and reflects how you want people to see you.  If you do not have a professional head shot get one!  A temporary solution to a missing professional picture is to  have someone take a picture of you with a white wall behind you using great lighting.

Create a great headline – Your headline is a great description of what you do.  Are you a speaker, consultant, or writer?  Are you a serial entrepreneur with many business ventures?  The headline should include what you want your prospect and customers to read about you.

Remember: Your picture and headline is often the first and only part of your Linkedin profile that creates the first impression.

#2 Add all current and past positions as well as education

Current and past positions – Why did you join Linkedin?  Are you looking for opportunity, a new job,  to grow a network, or to attract more business?  If you answered yes, then you want to make it easy for a Linkedin user to find and connect with you by adding your current and past positions.

Education - Who better to add to your network then those friends from college.  Past friends and acquaintances from college could hire you for your next job, be a new customer, or possibly a great referral source for you.

Remember: Current and past positions and education is one of the top ways you can be found on Linkedin.

#3 Include your websites and blog using brand titles

Use brand or company name titles for your website – We all know how important it is to have a website or blog and Linkedin it makes it easy for you to include this information in a profile.  When creating a profile or redesigning a current Linkedin profile, you want to select “other” instead of “website” or “blog”.  Selecting other allows you to name the link as you can see in the example above.  This creates more brand awareness for your profile rather than the Linkedin standard of “My Website”.

Remember - Only list the websites you want prospects and potential customers to use.  List sights that are inline with your personal and business brand.

#4 Take the time to create a great summary that compels Linkedin users to connect with you

Create a great summary – The Linkedin summary is typically the one area everyone can improve.  It’s often used like a resume cover letter or short bio which is a common Linkedin profile mistake.    The best practices in creating a Linkedin summary is to include why you are on Linkedin, what you can do or offer, and what you are looking for on Linkedin.  If done correctly new connections will know what you are looking for and how they can help you.

Remember: Your summary alone can jump start your Linkedin referrals.  Spend some time on the summary, compare it to your competitors or experts in your field, make sure the message is clear.

#5 Use keywords and phrases throughout your profile especially in your specialties

Using keywords and phrases – Do you know the number one search engine online?  Internet users have been trained to Google everything!  Even if you prefer Yahoo! or Bing the term “Google it”  is the action you are taking when you type what you are looking for in any search box.  This carries over to all websites, internet users “Google it” to find what they are looking for.  On Linkedin you can search for any word or phrase and see profiles that match within your network and extended network.

Remember:  A name, company, industry, brand, title, or phrase can all be searched on Linkedin.  Make sure you are using keywords and phrases to insure the Linkedin network finds your profile when they are searching.

#6 Complete your contact settings, personal information, and groups

Complete your Linkedin contact settings, interests, and groups – This is the one area where you can show part of your personality or personal interests on Linkedin.  You want to include keywords and phrases as well as what you enjoy outside of business.  Make sure to include any past or current groups and associations as this is another way for connections to find you.

Remember:  People do business with people they know, like, and trust!  Adding a few personal activities and groups encourage or start the relationship moving beyond just a Linkedin connection.

#7 Grow Your Recommendations!

You must grow your recommendations – Have you ever purchased a product, seen a movie, or hired a company solely based on the recommendation of  one good friend or colleague?  This what Linkedin recommendations can do for you and your company.  By asking for and encouraging Linkedin recommendations you have the opportunity to leverage your Linkedin profile as a referral and credibility tool.  The more recommendations you have the more credibility you create in and out of your Linkedin network.

Remember:  The best way to receive Linkedin recommendations is to give them.  Look within your network for people you have done business with and make a point to give one or more recommendation every month.

If you create or redesign your Linkedin profile with these 7 tips in mind you will position yourself to attract more connections, prospects, and business from Linkedin.

Please add me as a connection by searching for Alan Underkofler on Linkedin. If you are ready to take the next step in Increasing Business Leads with a stand out Linkedin Profile make sure to register and attend our next Linkedin training where you will learn more ways to enhance your profile as well as different areas of Linkedin that can generate business and referrals for you.

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Watch the latest video of “The Social Media Minute” to get ideas on how to use twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to promote your next event:

Let’s recap on how to use Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin for your upcoming events:

1)  Use status updates on Facebook and Linkedin leading up to the event. Many of your followers, friends, and connections will  spread the word and promote for you!  New connections will learn more about you and possibly attend the event.

2)  Link the event before it happens with ALL the  people and businesses associated with the event (anyone hosting, being a guest, or sponsoring the event). The more people that are linked in this event, the more traffic and awareness will be directed to it.  We all want more buzz right? (You can link to other people in facebook simply by using the @ symbol. You must be facebook friends with them for this function to work.)

• If Square Martini Media was part of your event, you could include @SquareMartini in your tweets about the event.
• On facebook, you could include our facebook business page in your updates by using @squaremartini. This would link our business page to your update.  You might also write on the Square Martini Media Facebook wall about the event.
• On Linkedin you can add the Square Martini Media founders as attending or presenting at your event.

3)  “Tweet” to or “Invite” all your friends on twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. It helps spread the word and gives people time to plan to be there. The more people that commit to attend your event, the more virale buzz you create.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.  Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute, let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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Some of you may be thinking why video and why put them on YouTube?  This could be a post in its self but to keep it simple video is HOT, it’s something we recommend to many of our Social Media clients, and if you  looked at YouTube as a search engine it would be ranked number 2 above  Yahoo!.   So what you really should be thinking is how can you implement a video and YouTube strategy in your business?

To kick of the Social Media Minute please watch the following video as we explore using Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to follow up after speaking.  In the video I discuss using Social Media to continue the conversation, establish stronger relationships, and move prospects in an audience to customers and referral sources.

I hope you enjoyed the Social Media Minute and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.  Please subscribe to the Square Martini Media YouTube channel and if you have a question you would like covered on the Social Media Minute please let us know by giving us your Social Media Minute Question.

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With this in mind I made a very short video on a simple way to create brand awareness as well as drive traffic to your website or blog by using social media share buttons and Linkedin.  Take a moment and watch it:

Now that you have watched this video let’s take it one step further and share it with one of your Linkedin groups!  Simply click on the share link below and click on the Linkedin button!  Of course in order to take this step you will need to have a Linkedin account and be in at least one Linkedin group.

Thank you in advance for sharing the post and please take a moment and connect with me Alan Underkofler and my partner at Square Martini Media Angie Swartz on Linkedin!

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Here are 7 steps to creating a great Linkedin profile:

1. Start by gathering your materials.  Pull out your resume, your bio, and your marketing materials to help you with your profile.  It’s important not to just cut and paste but let these materials guide you in your profile setup.
2. Who are the top people in your company or industry?  Take a moment to find them on Linkedin and “borrow” elements of their profile or look for things you might have missed.
3. Make sure to use keywords within your profile.  If you are a marketing consultant in the niche market of tradeshows make sure to use marketing and tradeshows multiple times within your profile.  This will help potential customers find you within Linkedin.
4. Take the time to complete your profile!  Linkedin has a profile completion percentage when you log in.  Completing your profile is essential in attracting business from Linkedin.  Don’t underestimate the value of adding your picture.  People want to do business with people they know like and trust and adding your picture is an essential part in this.
5. Creating your Linkedin URL – Linkedin will assign you a random url.  You want to change it so it has your full name in the profile if possible and make sure to remove any non needed numbers.  You can easily do this by just clicking edit by the assigned link.  When you are finished your profile link should look like this:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/alanunderkofler
6. Paid vs. Free Linkedin Accounts?  I am always asked should I pay for a premium Linkedin account?  For the most part the answer is no.  The main reason to have a paid account is it allows you to view more people in your searches and send more messages within the Linkedin system to people you are not connected to.   If you are a recruiter the expanded search capabilities could be huge for you but for most companies the free account works great!  There are a few other options you receive with the paid version so you should take a look at the added benefits and make a decision based on your Linkedin strategy.
7. Remember your Linkedin profile is often the first impression someone has of you and what you do.  Make sure this impression counts and correctly represents you and what you do.

Once you  have your profile updated make you to send Alan Underkofler and Angie A. Swartz a connecting request.  We would love to connect with you on Linkedin.  Join our conversation on Linkedin!  Leave a comment with your Linkedin profile thoughts and make sure to leave your Linkedin profile url in your comment so other readers can connect with you!

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1. With over 50 million users and the top companies and decision makers on Linkedin, why would you not be active here?
2. Profiles on Linkedin are made up with all types of people, top executives, middle management, sales people, business owners, consultants, and micro business.  Your target customer is on Linkedin!
3. Companies can complete a simple informational profile but are limited to adding information only and cannot interact with Linkedin members as the company.  This means on Linkedin you have the opportunity to engage real people.
4. You can use Linkedin to maintain top of mind awareness with your customers and prospects.  Linkedin is one of my favorite tools to achieve top of mind awareness.  Once setup it’s pretty simple, easy to update, and takes very little time.  You just have to consistently do a few actions on Linkedin to really maximize the results.  Things like status updates, updating your profile, and receiving new recommendations is all it takes.
5. Use Linkedin to find potential customers.  Chances are very good your next big customer is already on Linkedin!  Who are you trying to find, what company do you really want to land as a customer?  Are you searching for a way in?  Linkedin is the answer!  By using Linkedin correctly you can be introduced to the person you need to meet to turn a prospect into a customer.
6. Use Linkedin to find your next job.  Linkedin is often used to post jobs and openings.  You can easily search job openings and apply for the job through Linkedin.  If you are seeking a job, Linkedin is a must have tool!
7. Are you hiring?  Linkedin is fantastic place to look for new employees for the position you cannot seem to fill.  Linkedin is a powerful tool to find potential candidates for the openings at your company.  You can post jobs and attract both people actively looking for a job and people who are passively looking for a job.  Often times Linkedin job postings are forwarded by contacts because they think it might be a good fit.  This creates a viral effect for your job postings!
8. Using Linkedin to network and generate referrals.  Often times when I am speaking on Linkedin I am asked “how do I use it” or I” have a profile and don’t do anything with it, I am really not sure how it works”.  Like anything you have to engage and participate to reap the rewards.  On Linkedin the rewards are there…  One way I attract more business from Linkedin is simply sending a short welcome email to all new connections requesting a 20 minute phone conversation where we can learn more about each  other.  This step alone generates business for me every month and also increases my referral potential on Linkedin.  The more people who know about me and what I do the more referrals I attract!
9. What are your goals for Linkedin?  Having goals gives you something to reach for!  On Linkedin your goals might be to connect with more people, to recommend 5 people in your network, or to receive 5 recommendations, or simply to meet with 5 connections this month on the phone or live in person.  Having a few goals for Linkedin is essential to insure you receive what you are looking for on Linkedin
10. Are you a local business looking for local customers or are you a national or worldwide business?  Any size business can use Linkedin to effectively grow.
11. Linkedin Answers is a powerful resource for any business or professional.  What do you need help with?  Are you deciding between two software products for your business?  Are you looking for the best email service for your company or personal newsletter?  All of these questions can be asked on Linkedin and within minutes you will start receiving answers to help you make a good decision or direct you to a good solution.

Do you have suggestions on how to receive business on Linkedin or a great strategy you use on Linkedin?  Take a moment and leave your favorite Linkedin tip or suggestions by leaving a comment.

Need help maximizing Linkedin for your business?  Find out more about Linkedin and how to maximize if for your business with our 55 minute audio guide, The Roadmap to Using Linkedin to Grow Your Business.

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