This document provides tips for using LinkedIn for branding, networking, and finding leads. It recommends fully optimizing your profile by including details like your experience, education, specialties, and connections. It also suggests engaging on LinkedIn by answering questions to establish expertise, joining relevant groups, and following companies. The document advises finding leads through your extended network by viewing your connections' connections and companies they've worked for. The goal is to generate sales leads and brand yourself as an industry expert through a professional LinkedIn presence and active participation on the platform.

1. Using LinkedIn for Branding, Networking, and Finding LeadsEdited version of a PPT presentation given to a financial client | RachelKuptz.com

2. Using LinkedIn

3. Setting Up Your LinkedIn ProfileParts of Your Profile:General InformationSummaryExperienceEducationAdditional InformationPersonal InformationContact SettingsActivityConnectionsGroupsRecommendationsSimilar Connections

4. Add A Headline and Specialty so that you appear when someone searches for those specific keywords

5. Add a picture

6. Status UpdatesUpdate your profile with your current employment and responsibilities-- Highlight expertise-- Announce any success in the summary section -- Number of years in your industry-- Company highlights – charity, client success, leadership involvement

7. Finish updating your profile information with education, groups, and interests, plus how you prefer to be contacted and for whatContact SettingsCareer Opportunities

8. Consulting Offers

9. New Ventures

10. Job Inquiries

11. Expertise Requests

12. Business Deals

13. Personal Reference Requests

14. Requests to ConnectExamples of Descriptive Words to Add to Your ProfileMichigan Tax

15. Tax strategies

16. IRA questions

17. Tax professionals

18. Corporate taxes

19. Accounting

20. Audit

21. Corporate finance

22. Strategic services

23. Financial advisory

24. International tax

25. IT assurance

26. Payroll servicesAdd in your specialties/expertise with working with specific industries (ex: construction, automotive, government, etc)

27. Expand Your Network of Potential New Clients

28. Finding Connections Through Your Email Address

29. Adding Your LinkedIn URL To Your Email Signature

30. Finding Other Contacts OnlineLook at coworkers, client, and friend’s connectionsView connections at companies you’ve worked for and withLet LinkedIn suggest connections based on information in your profile (school, employment, shared connections, etc)

31. Using LinkedIn Recommendations: Giving and ReceivingGive RecommendationsUse the recommendation tool to write sincere recommendations for previous employees/employers, clients that you had close relationships with, and vendors who provided outstanding resultsAsk for RecommendationsMost people won’t write a recommendation unless asked. Once you’ve written a few recommendations for others, ask that they in return write one for you. A person can write anything in their recommendation, so be mindful of who you askWhy Recommendations?Highlight your expertise

32. Shows trust from clients

33. Testimonial factor

34. LinkedIn Trust (real people, not made up reviews)Finding Leads on LinkedIn

35. Generating New Sales Leads Via LinkedIn QuestionsRecent Questions From Your NetworkFeedback From Questions That You’ve AskedQuestion Categories

36. Find questions related to your industry or the industries of your clients (potential clients) and answer them thoughtfullyFind Questions to answer by:Viewing questions within specific categories

37. Using the search tool to find questions that have a specific keywordThose who ask the question can choose the best answer of the bunch. When your answer is chosen as a best answer, you’ll receive recognition on your LinkedIn profile page and within those categoriesQuestions and Answers: Best PracticesDon’t be overly promotional: Answer a question thoughtfully, without a sales pitch

38. Don’t skip over a question because it seems too simple or as if it won’t turn into a lead

39. Answer questions on a regular basis in a variety of categoriesWhy Answer Questions?Branding

40. Establish Yourself As An Expert

41. Search EnginesLinkedIn GroupsTypes of Groups:Alumni

42. Corporate

43. Conference

44. Networking

45. ProfessionalFind Groups Related To:General Industries ( ex: Accounting)

46. Specific: Government DivisionsFollow CompaniesFind Contact Information For Potential Leads

47. Analyze Former and “Go To” Companies that Employees Worked At

48. Research The Company for Future Pitches

49. Contact Company When You Notice A Big Change (Director Leaves, Company Acquired, Etc.)Finding Leads Through Your ConnectionsView your connections , especially those of recruiters and leaders in your industry

50. Do’s and Don’ts of LinkedInDo:Promote others

51. Optimize your profile/brag where warranted

52. Answer questions

53. Be active in groupsDon’t:Be overly self promotional in questions

54. Avoid assisting others because it’s “free advice”

55. Reach out to leads without reading their profile and finding their desired method of contact