Linkedin is a valuable resource for networking and business development. This presentation will illustrate how you can add value to your effort by using various features offered by Linkedin. In addition, best practices for Linkedin are discussed, as well as, examples of how some business owner defeat the purpose of their presence on Linkedin by not following these best practices.

1. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Open Social Media Education
A Captive Touch Initiative
Host: Sherry Nouraini
Founder/President
Captive Touch

2. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
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3. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Topic of Our Workshop Today
What does it take to gain value
from the time you spend on
Linkedin?

4. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
First thing is first, your profile
Basics
• 100% complete
• Keyword-rich headline
• Must have genuine recommendations
• Must have links
• Must post updates
Enhancements via Apps (not comprehensive)
• Rss feed of your blog posts
• Import of your slides from Slide Share

5. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Why a complete and keyword-rich profile is
important?
• LinkedIn comes with a search engine
Your profile must be PSO
PSO= People search optimized

6. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Your Linkedin Profile
Headline
Update
Recommendation
Links

7. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
How can LinkedIn add value to your
business?
If you are a B2B, Linkedin can be a great
tool to reduce cost. Why? Because time is
Money:
• Linkedin Today- Excellent curation tool
• Search- Target your prospects efficiently
• Networking- Groups, commenting on updates
• CRM- Card munch mobile app
• LinkedIn Mobile App- Network on the go
• Expert status- Answers

8. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Linkedin Today
Find it on your home page
Your LinkedIn
Home page

9. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
LinkedIn Today
Click through, customize it
Trending
Topics And find other amazing stuff
Customize
Your
News

10. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Card Munch (1)

11. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Card Munch (2)

12. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Linkedin Answers

13. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
LinkedIn best practices: Analogy
• Imagine LinkedIn is a world wide B2B Conference:
 Everyone gets a booth (profile)
 Industry-specific session (groups)
Every session attendee gets a turn to talk
i.e., your updates

14. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Conference booth (profile)
People using LinkedIn fall into one of
the following categories:
1. The booth is empty (profile is not
complete)
2. The booth is nicely done, but no one is
there (abandonment)
3. Booth is done, attended, no
networking (no updates,no comments)
4. Items 1-3 are good, but networking is
all about them (spam emails)
5. It’s all about creating trust, and
mutually beneficial connections.

15. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Industry specific sessions (Groups)
People using LinkedIn fall into one of
the following categories:
1. Sign up for sessions, but never go (when
you join a group, you gotta Show Up)
2. Attend sessions, but never interact or
offer information ( Say something!)
3. Attend sessions, offer information, then
leave (Listen, it’s not all about you!)
4. Attend sessions, shake hands,
participate in discussions, offer
information (You can do this 24/7!)

16. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Tips for choosing good groups
• Open groups that require approval
• Look for networking and interaction
• Join few groups
• Adjust notification settings to daily
email updates to interact timely
• Do some networking before
sharing your links, news, etc.

17. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Greatest Sins that people commit on LikedIn
1- Mass emails
• Do not use mass email to advertise your business,
event, fundraising etc etc to your Linkedin connections.
• Accepting invitation to connect = opt in to your list
• Serious Linkedin users hate mass emails.
• Make meaningful connections.
• Yes, it takes time, but its worth it.

18. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Greatest Sins that people Commit on LikedIn
2- Asking for meaningless recommendations
Only ask someone for recommendations if:
• You have provided them with service/product
• You have worked with them
• You have been their student/instructor
These don’t qualify
• You had lunch with them
• You met at a networking meeting a few times
• They are your friend/relative
Recommendations are about your
professional skills

19. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Greatest Sins that people Commit on LikedIn
3- Flooding groups with self-serving links
• When you join a group, listen first
• Share things that offer value for group
members
• Initiate discussions
Show people that you know what it means to be
part of a community. If they hate you for being
a spammer, they won’t buy from you.

20. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
Stepwise approach to build business
1. Search for your ideal client (search or
answers, trending topics)
2. See what groups they belong to
3. Join the group, and network
4. Send invite, using group as point of
connection
5. Read their updates, comment, like, share
6. Ask to connect on phone.
8. Take it to the next level.
9. Remember Don’t send them mass emails

21. Open Social Media: Where we tell it like it is
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