Laurie McCullaghWSI Digital Marketing Consultant

Copyright April 2013

Why Use LinkedIn?

5 Great Reasons…

• Increases personal visibility and brand awareness

• Helps improve Google ranking• Source of traffic to your Website• Opportunity to promote new products

and services

• Strengthen customer trust

Benefits of LinkedIn

Benefits to You and Your Organization:

• Increases trust & credibility• Positions you as the expert• Social Media channel to promote blog

posts, articles, white papers, case studies• Increase online touch points• Allows you to be top-of-mind

Personal Profile

Professional Headline- Provide a succinct title and the main area of expertise- List present and past employment- List where you went to school or trained

Contact Information- Make it easy for people to reach you; includephone number, address and email address- Use bullet points for easy reading- Add up to 3 URLS; Website, Blog, Portfolio

Links to Your Website- LinkedIn provides quality inbound links- Permanent link to your blog- Add links to Portfolio of works

Background Summary

Standard Features- Identify your target market- List specific services- Use keywords specific to your

industry…- Length of time in business - WIIFM: What benefit will a

prospective client expect to receive.

- Use bullet points

Public Profile URL

Be sure to customize your public profile URL

- Click on the link to your profile beside your contact info and there is a whole other level of profile management capabilities

Profile Extras + + +

Awards and Accolades

- Post awards, accolades and significant achievements…It’s OK to brag a little

Presentations & Marketing Materials

- Add (embed) a video as some people prefer watching a video - Add Powerpoint presentations via Slideshare- Upload images or branded pdf documents- Post a whitepaper or case study

LinkedIn Activity

- Promote recent blog posts and attach the link- Share articles of value relating to your industry- New product launches- New How-to videos posted to YOUR Website- Press releases with link to YOUR Website- Upcoming events, conferences- New trends in your industry- What is your competition writing about?

Become a thought leader today!

What can be shared with your community?

Endorsements

- Take the time to add a list of main services

The default display is 10, anything beyond this gets posted below and not as visible.

- Don’t bother listing 30 areas of expertise, as it only makes it more difficult for people to decide what to endorse.

Newest LinkedIn feature

Recommendations

- Take the time to offer up a recommendation but don’t do it to with the expectation of receiving something in return.

- It is perfectly acceptable to ask for a recommendation via the LinkedIn platform.

- Offer to swap recommendations

- Send a customized message to request as opposed to the default message.

Important Credibility Factor

Corporate Profiles

Corporate Profiles

Corporate Profiles

LinkedIn Articles & Resources

• http://socialmediatoday.com/tracycgold/479022/how-use-linkedin-powerfully-10-tips-know

• www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-boost-engagement-on-your-linkedin-company-page

• http://under30ceo.com/use-linkedin-effectively-small-businesses

• http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/9-mistakes-youre-making-on-linkedin.html?nav=next

• http://mashable.com/2013/04/13/linkedin-profile-tips

WSI Profile

• Internet Marketing Firm since 2000• Certified Digital Marketing Professional for 2013• WI Chamber of Commerce Accolades Winner 2010

THANK YOU