Linkedin, Creating Your Professional Profile

Linkedin Creating your Professional Profile

Presented to Opening Windows, Prague 1st July, 2010

Leigh Ann Stouffer, Stouffer Marketing & Social Media +420 774 879 649

What we will cover

Four key points:

1. Understanding what is Linkedin

2. Why it’s important and its benefits

3. Linkedin and your profile

What is Linkedin?

Linkedin is the worlds largest professional network with over 60 million users and growing…

Linkedin connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange: - knowledge - ideas - opportunities

with a broader network of professionals.

From LInkedin.com/what-is-linkedin/

What is Linkedin?

From LInkedin.com/what-is-linkedin/

The most powerful concept behind LinkedIn is that not only does it connect us with our own 1st degree contacts it ALSO shows us the paths to others and the networks they have…

Why does this have such tremendous value? - First degree network – if one of your connections knows 500 people

+

- Second degree network – and the people they know, know 500 people

=

Third degree network…

Linkedin; why is it imporant?

Suddenly you have millions of “warm” connections

AND

LinkedIn makes these all visible to you.

This is extremely powerful especially when you begin with your end goal in mind of:

- finding your next opportunity

- selling a new product

- seeking help in new business ventures

- seeking help with information and advice

Linkedin; why is it imporant and benefits

Let’s get started! Join Linkedin today by filling out the information requested as above…

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Professional Headline:

Work and Education

Next, begin to “mold” your profile to your suiting, by filling out the areas above, let’s go through each of them…

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Professional Headline:

Work and Education

Upload an attractive photo. (ask a good friend if you aren’t sure) If you don’t have one, I suggest to hire a photographer for several headshots. There is nothing better than a good photo for relationship building purposes.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Professional Headline:

Work and Education

Give your Professional Headline a more robust description than just “Marketing Manager” or “Account Manager”. This will provide a more UNIQUE profile and help you stand out from others.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Professional Headline:

Work and Education

Be sure to fill out your work and education completely.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Recommendations

Connections

Websites

Public Profile

Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations, it’s the best way to show others that you provide quality work!

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Recommendations

Connections

Websites

Public Profile

Manage your connections continuously.

Each time you meet someone new, be sure to ask if they will connect on Linkedin with you. AND – when you do so, be sure to write a personal message. By doing so, you make that connection MUCH WARMER than if you were to use the pre-set message that Linkedin gives you.

By using the “Advanced Search” in the upper right hand corner, you can easily insert more information if your original “people search” was not successful

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Recommendations

Connections

Websites Facebook Twitter

Public Profile Provide links to your websites or other social media platforms, if you are active on them and choose to do so.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Recommendations

Connections

Websites Facebook Twitter

Public Profile

Make your Linkedin profile public by giving it a custom URL. This will increase your visibility in Google rankings. Use it also as part of your signature in your emails. It never hurts to make your profile easily attainable.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Summary and Specialties

Groups

Give yourself a full summary, just as you would in a CV or resume. As well, be sure to use key phrases and key words in the “specialities” area. By using bullet points, the paragraph is easier to read.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Summary and Specialties

Groups

Is there an industry in which you work? An area in which you can provide expertise? What is your passion? All of these kinds of groups are meaningful in which to take part. Get involved and get connected with others who share the same work place, type of work, interests, etc.

Linkedin - Groups

The “search” function provides ability to search not only people but also jobs, companies, answers, your inbox, and also GROUPS. If there is an area that is interesting and you would like to see what groups exist, go here to find out…

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Applications

Is there a book you’ve read that you believe others could benefit from reading?

What about a presentation that you gave on behalf of your company, or one that you saw on Slideshare?

These are just a couple of the applications that are valuable to your Linkedin profile…

Just click on to “More” and then on to “Application Directory” to add these and many others to your profile.

Linkedin - Applications

Just click on to “More” and then on to “Application Directory” to add the applications you believe are relevant to you and your profile.

Linkedin - Profile

Completing your:

Personal Information and Contact Settings

Be sure to give those new connections a way to contact you as easily as possible

Linkedin – Your Network

By actively maintaining an updated profile, adding new connections and sharing information with others in the various groups you chose to participate in, your network will grow and prosper. Opening Windows looks forward to sharing along with each of you…

Leigh Ann Stouffer C O N S U L T A N T

+ 420 774 879 649

stoufferconsulting@gmail.com

Leigh Ann Stouffer

leighstouffer