LinkedIn is a social media platform for professionals to build their professional network and find jobs or business opportunities. It allows users to connect with colleagues, former coworkers, clients, and others in their industry. Maintaining an active presence on LinkedIn by optimizing your profile, engaging with connections through questions and discussions, and sharing knowledge can help expand your network and brand yourself as an industry expert. LinkedIn is an important tool for career and business development in today's globally connected economy.

1. Using LinkedIn for Networking, Job Search, and Better Business By Frank Butwin Plastics Consultant

2. Social Media (SM) Platforms and Tools LinkedIn Facebook Twitter TweetDec Blogging Ping.fm Google Alerts YouTube E-mail ?

3. What is LinkedIn ? A Social Media (SM) for professionals A “network” of trusted contacts A means of communication

4. Why is LinkedIn Important ? In a globally connected economy, your success as a professional and your competitiveness as a company depends upon faster access to insight and resources you can trust. You need to be able to respond quickly using trusted contacts.

5. More about LinkedIn Connection Degrees: 1 st Degree 2 nd Degree 3 rd Degree Avoid: 5 I Don’t Knows (IDK’s) Join 50 Groups max

6. Why get connected using LinkedIn ? Your contacts can help you in your career Opportunity for you to help your contacts Helps you to be more productive & successful Helps in finding a job or a better job Helps in finding good employees to hire Helps in organizing your contacts

7. More reasons to use LinkedIn Locate “lost” contacts / colleagues / friends Keep abreast of your industry / interest Get professionals that can help you Interact in a local, national, or global way Get needed information Get introduced to people you want to know Collaborate with like-minded professionals Have contacts to help you accomplish your goals Find companies and information about them

8. Benefits of LinkedIn Get recommendations Start and join Groups Build relationships Ask and answer questions Be a part of ongoing discussions

9. How to Get LinkedIn Go to www.linkedin.com Fill out your profile Add your professional photo Get recommendations Recommend others Need to be at 100% on your profile Add connections, judiciously

10. Parts of LinkedIn Profile Experience Education Groups & Subgroups Contact Information Who has been looking at you Your connections Connections of your connections

11. Recommendations Showcase your strengths Shows you as a valued employee, co-worker, business partner, client Can highlight leadership qualities as a manager if recommended from an employee

12. Connect with People Your Industry Your Profession Interest groups Partners Prospective Mentors

13. Building Relationships Connect with others: In your industry Manufacturing, consulting, sales, vendors customers In your profession Sales, marketing, customer service, chemists Same interests Sports, investing, toastmasters, clubs Partnerships Mentor/Mentee In your area State: Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska City: Toledo, Chicago, Dayton Outside of your network Community, church, civic groups

14. Questions / Discussions Have your questions answered by experts Get feedback on a product or service Ask & get documents, studies, templates Provide feedback Engage with others

15. Company Information Name and Description Key Statistics: Location Company Size Median Age Employees: Current Former New Hires Recent Promotions & Changes Degreed Connections at the company

16. Follow and Connect With those that you are interested in Build rapport and credibility Ask questions to engage your followers

17. Build your Brand Creates a readership of devotees Takes time … be patient Self promote … you need to do it Gets your name out there Showcase your expertise Connect with industry leaders Become one of the leaders

18. Share Knowledge Gain a larger connection base Showcase your expertise Increase job & business opportunities Share … always get more back in return

19. For all Social Media Only utilize SM that you will maintain Post something at least once a week Optimize your time with SM Have employees … have a SM policy Create a social media strategy

20. Thank You Questions? Frank Butwin 419-874-2721 [email_address] http:www.linkedin.com/in/frankbutwin