An overview of how to optimize your use of LinkedIn for Business Development purposes. Spoiler alert: you need to be active on LinkedIn. Not active yet? Start by spending 15 minutes each day on LinkedIn.

1. LinkedIn for Business Development
Presented by Brenda Meller www.linkedin.com/in/BrendaMeller
to my friends and connections at MichBusiness
Monday, April 10, 2017
LinkedIn is the #1 professional networking site for
business development professionals. If you're just
getting started on LinkedIn and need some help, or if
you're already on LinkedIn but not sure if you're using it
effectively, this session is for you.

2. That “AGENDA” Slide (yawn)
• Introductions
• Reminders (aka “disclaimers”)
• Quick overview of why LinkedIn is awesome
• Brief review of stuff you MUST be doing on LI
• How to maximize LinkedIn for business
development use
• Your Questions
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3. Today’s Presenter: Brenda Meller
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Assistant Vice President
of Marketing
Recent graduate (current Netflix binging)
Coffee / Pie / Chocolate Fan
A LinkedIn Ambassador

4. Who are You?
What are you hoping to
learn today?
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GOAL = EVERYONE LEARNS SOMETHING NEW

5. LinkedIn Reminders
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 Company rules /
policies
 LinkedIn will
change… again
 Everyone has a
different comfort
level
 Listen, learn,
consider… then
decide

6. What is
• Professional networking site:
• Launched in 2003 (Me: 2006)
• 467 million members, 200 countries*
• Every Fortune 500 company
• “Connections”
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* https://press.linkedin.com/about-linkedin
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7. Three Areas to Begin
1. Create a FREE account
2. Build your profile
3. Invite and accept connections
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8. 1. Create a FREE Account
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• You can associate
multiple emails (home,
work) to your LinkedIn
account

9. 2. Build Your Profile
Pick One:
 Build Your Profile
OR
 Invite and Accept Invitations
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10. DO BOTH
Pick One:
 Build Your Profile
OR
 Invite and Accept Invitations
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• Snowball effect
• Your profile will always be “in progress”
✓
✓

11. My suggested profile checklist
1.Photo
 Professional headshot
 Pleasant, smiling,
professional
2.Headline: Your job
title. BONUS: add a
slogan or descriptive
phrase.
3.10+ connections =
active
4.Summary statement.
IMPORTANT: 2-lines.
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12. My suggested profile checklist (continued)
5. Experience
6. Recommendations
from clients,
members (people
who will say nice
things about
working with you)
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13. 7. Endorsements
8. Groups (no longer
in public profile)
9. Are there two of
you? (aka, duplicate
profiles with your
name)
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My suggested profile checklist (continued)
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14. 14
1. In search box,
type in keywords

15. 15

16. TIPS: Character Limits
• Headline: 120 characters
• Professional Summary: 2,000 characters
• Recommendation: 3,000 characters
• Status Update: 600 on LinkedIn (only 140 if
sharing on Twitter)
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maximum-linkedin-character-counts-2017-andy-foote-
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17. 3. Invite and Accept Invitations
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1. In search box,
type in name.

18. 3. Connect
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19. The Personalized Invitation
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BONUS: be helpful.
Create social media karma.
ALWAYS
ALWAYS
ALWAYS PERSONALIZE “ADD A NOTE”

20. 20
1. BONUS: be helpful. Create social media karma.
2. You can now include a weblink in your invitation. Do so with caution…
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21. ON MOBILE
Click to view profile
Click on three dots
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22. Personalize your invitation
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23. SHOULD YOU ACCEPT?
1.Go to your
invitations by
clicking on
2.Mouse over
and then click
on “Manage
all”
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24. SHOULD YOU ACCEPT?
Click “Message” to reply without accepting:
Reply with this text – feel free to copy or create your own:
Hi (firstname), Thanks for the LinkedIn invitation. I’ve found
LinkedIn to be a more powerful tool when you understand
the basis for a connection. Have we met?
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25. Responses:
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26. Six Powerful Techniques
1. Join “Groups” on LinkedIn
2. Add LinkedIn URL to your email signature, web
bio, business card
3. Update your status weekly
4. Review endorsements / give recommendations
5. Remember LinkedIn / social media etiquette
6. Use “Help”
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27. 1. Join “Groups” on LinkedIn
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1. Join groups where you have professional memberships.
2. Join college, alumni groups, former employers.
3. Join professional interest groups to network with like-minded
professionals in your industry.
4. Go where your clients go.

28. 2. Add LinkedIn URL to your email
signature and business card
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HOW TO ADD LINK?
1. Go into your email and find the link to adjust your account
settings. Typically this is referred to as “Email Signature”
2. Add the logo with hyperlink to your LinkedIn URL or simply
the text. Ex: www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller

29. 3. Update Your Status Weekly
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1. Update your status TODAY. Tag sparingly and
strategically. (OK to take pic and tag me!)
2. Update your status once per week.
TO TAG:
Type “@” then click
name of business or
first and last name

30. 30
Suggested
Status Update
BONUS
Conferences,
workshops, etc.
attended
ADD: what you LEARNED
Industry news
item
ADD: your key takeaways
Company items:
news
ADD: a 1-sentence preview
Business tips ADD: how this can help the reader
BONUS: LinkedIn
Tips
ADD: the text “please click to
share”

31. Inspirational Messages
ROCK on LinkedIn
• Profile views
• Engagement with
connections
• Shares
• HINT: create your own
using Canva. (psst:
sell a little!)
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32. What NOT to Post & WHY
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“Let’s Discuss”

33. 5. LinkedIn / Social Media Etiquette
• If you’re initiating…relationship first,
connect second
• People seek people… be ON LinkedIn
• Answer questions in groups, add
keywords to your profile
• Go where your sales leads are
(HINT: groups, events, etc.)
• “Follow” company pages
• Remember that like attracts like
• Personalization is key
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See more:
https://www.pinterest.com/summerbren
/truths-if-we-are-being-honest/

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35. 6. Visit “HELP” on LinkedIn
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36. 36
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin

37. But Wait, There’s More
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38. Like to Write? You Should Blog.
(aka “Pulse,” or “long form post,” or “write an article”)
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https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/0_2Om58wOXSjBzh4C3ohnBBh

39. 39
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/have-we-met-aka-how-do-you-reply-invitation-linkedin-brenda?trk=mp-reader-card

40. HOMEWORK: LinkedIn
1. Get on LinkedIn
2. Set up your account
1. Photo
2. Description
3. One other item from my checklist
3. Connect with me
4. Connect with a few others from MichBusiness, including Jan
Hubbard
5. Create Social Media Karma: like, share, comment
6. Join a Group and engage in discussion
7. Reply with “Have we Met?”
BONUS: spend 15 minutes a day EVERYDAY
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www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller

41. QUESTIONS?
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