The document provides 21 tips for networking success on LinkedIn. It recommends becoming a thought leader by providing good industry content, staying visible with automated blog posts, promoting your profile on websites and emails, creating an industry-related group, engaging members of the group, and cross-promoting on Facebook. It also suggests customizing your profile, using keywords, requesting recommendations, and joining relevant groups.

1. Secrets to LinkedIn Networking Success

2. LinkedIn is the #17th most visited site on the web according to Alexa.com 101 Million Members Worldwide 41.1% female and 58.9% male Fastest growing demographic 35+ LinkedIn Stats Review Credits: Amodiovaleria Verde

3. Officially launched on May 2003 Operates in over 200 countries Over 52% of LinkedIn members are located outside of the US Used by 69 of the Fortune 100 companies More than 1 Million companies have LinkedIn Company Pages Linkedin Facts Credits: Amodiovaleria Verde

4. Tip #1 Become a Thought Leader Position yourself as a thought leader Provide good content related to your industry Go to Technorati.com and keyword search for blogs that provide content related to your industry Pick the best blogs to post through your channels Online Resource Blog Directory: http://www.technorati.com

5. Tip #2 Stay Visible With Good Content Automate blog posts to your LinkedIn account with Hootsuite.com Auto Post every 6 hours Get content from multiple blogs to keep it fresh Online Resource Automate Your Posts: http://www.hootesuite.com

6. Tip #3 Promote Your Profile Add the LinkedIn Button to your web pages, email newsletters and signature line Wisestamp also offers a LinkedIn button and over 15+ additional social channel links Online Resources Get LinkedIn Promo Buttons: http:// www.linkedin.com/profile?promoteProfile = WiseStamp: http:// www.wisestamp.com /

7. Tip #4 Create an Industry Related Group Think about what type of customer you want to attract Create a LinkedIn group that would interest those people My best prospect is someone who A) is considered an entrepreneur B) would be interested in learning more about Social Media Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_grps_top

8. Tip #5 Promote Your Group Create an icon to represent your group like my “E” for the Entrepreneurs Advice Club Promote this icon along side your other social media channel icons It will generate curiosity and you will find more people joining your group

9. Tip #6 Engage Your LinkedIn Group Set-up multiple industry related RSS blog feeds to keep your members informed and engaged Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/groupNews?dispNewsFeeds=&gid=2882195&trk=grpmgr_newsfds

10. Tip #7 Cross Promote Facebook Group Also create a Facebook group for your followers You may also want to consider buying the matching domain name and build your own social network for ex. TheSocialMediaExchange.com Online Resource: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1310660782991#!/home.php?sk=group_156213454409754&ap=1

11. Tip #8 Grow Your Network Fast Go to the Groups Directory and search for “LIONS” or Open Networkers Post that you are an Open Networker The more connections you have and can stay in front of the better your rate of success Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_grps_top

12. Tip #9 Show Your Skills Participate in the LinkedIn Answers Forum and be seen as an expert in your industry Provide helpful feedback and grow your business Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/answers?trk=hb_tab_ayn

13. Tip #10 Get Answers To Questions Fast Need an expert answer? Need market and/or competitive research? Ask the LinkedIn community! Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/answers?myQuestions=&trk=tab_qa

14. Tip #11 Add Apps To Personalize Amazon Reading List recommend books you like to read WordPress allows you to connect your WordPress blog posts to your LinkedIn account Company Buzz allows you to follow all relevant trends and comments about your company Slide Share allows you to share your presentations with colleagues and LinkedIn connections Tweets gives you access to the basic elements of Twitter on your LinkedIn profile. Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=application_directory&trk=hb_side_apps

15. Tip #12 Join and Participate in Groups Maximum groups you can join is 50 Frequently post and participate in these groups Follow thought leaders in the group and/or your competition to learn more Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/myGroups?trk=hb_side_mygrps

16. Tip #13 Customize Your URL LinkedIn gives you the option to customize your profile URL. Make it appear as “http://linkedin.com/in/yourfullname ” (see mine in the picture below). This will make your profile easier to find when people are searching for you. Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings

17. Tip #14 Customize Your Headline Tell them what you are an expert in. You can change your headline. You want it to be more descriptive. Consider including benefits your company offers or your geographic location if you serve a specific area. For example, mine says “CEO of WebMediaExpert.com, Social Media and Internet Marketing Mentor” Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-basic-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_*1_*1_*1

18. Tip #15 Customize Your Web Links Link to up to 3 websites directly from your LinkedIn profile Make sure you customized text that appears Use keywords within your profile and give readers a better understanding of what your company does Be sure to also add your Twitter ID Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-additional-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_en*4US_*1_*1

19. Tip #16 Optimize Your Text With Keywords Use keyword rich descriptions to draw relevant search engine traffic Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit-additional-info?locale=en_US&goback=%2Enpe_*1_en*4US_*1_*1

20. Tip #17 Use the Maximum Characters Search engines like high word counts and lots of relevant keywords. Use all available characters Headline – 120 Characters Status Field – 140 Characters Summary – 2,000 Characters Specialties – 500 Characters Company Name – 100 Characters Position (Job) Title – 100 Characters Position Description – 2,000 Characters Interests – 1,000 Characters

21. Tip #18 Register a Company Profile Make sure your company has an updated profile on LinkedIn. Company profiles rank high in Google search rankings and it is important to link it with your personal profile, and the profiles of your employees. Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/company/989671?trk=pro_other_cmpy

22. Tip #19 Download LinkedIn Mobile App LinkedIn supports the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Palm devices Get updates, and share your status – all while on the go Online Resource: LinkedIn’s mobile apps

23. Tip #20 Research Your LinkedIn Network Signal allows you to filter and browse status updates by keyword Narrow or expand your view based on the following filters: Network, Industry, Company, Time published, Location, School or just most popular hash tags. Imagine saving searches to allow you to check in every day and see a real-time stream of updates from every employee in your company. Or, perhaps even better, a competitor !

24. Tip #21 Request Recommendations Users with recommendations are 3 times more likely to get inquiries through LinkedIn searches. Post these recommendations on your website Online Resource: http://www.linkedin.com/references?mrs =

25. Takeaways What tools will you use to grow your LinkedIn network today? Who can you ask for a recommendation? What industry related LinkedIn groups can you start and/or join today?

26. How Can Web Media Expert Help? Design, Setup and Manage Social Networks Offer Additional Training for LinkedIn, Hootesuite, etc. Creation of a 12 Month Social Media Marketing Plan Social Media Monthly Community Management – includes design and setup of all social channels, content writing, press releases, weekly contests, monthly reports, guaranteed leads etc.

27. Questions and Answers What questions can I help answer? Thank you for participating! Michelle Hummel Web Media Expert LLC http://www.WebMediaExpert.com Phone: 513-204-9324 [email_address]