How do you manage your online reputation?

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We all know that in the offline world of business that having a LinkedIn profile is key to making connections and getting new business in the B2B arena. LinkedIn has become a necessary B2B search engine that helps sales professionals target decision makers in other organizations and find the connections necessary to reach them.

So how does this help IM'ers? I'll explain.

Whether you use your real name or a pen name in your online businesses (I use both) you should take control of your reputation for that name. That means:

1 - Provide a place where your customers can easily find more information about you.
2 - Provide as much relevant information about your expert credentials as you can for them to see.
3 - Provide references within your niche that further support your credibility.

Developing a good LinkedIn profile can take some time, but it is well worth it. When structuring your profile make sure that it is set to allow Google and other search engines to index your profile - MAKE IT PUBLIC. When someone searches your name in Google, guess what will be number one or two? That's right, your LinkedIn profile. You now have the ability to control the message, as opposed to some competitor who may be trashing you on his well-linked website.

Next, you want to write your profile content using your niche keywords. It's OK to toot your own horn, just make sure that spelling and grammar are correct. List your IM niche websites or blogs as positions and describe them using your niche keywords. Make sure to explain the benefits of each IM property completely in the description.

Next, add Connections. Specifically, seek out Connections in your niche. To do this you may need to make new contacts in forums, blogs, or Facebook and MySpace groups. Make sure you add value to those communities before requesting any Connections through LinkedIn. These connections will help viewers see your niche credentials. Also, customer can be valuable Connections, too. Referrals anyone?

Once you have made those Connections, follow-up with Recommendations through LinkedIn. Generally, etiquette follows that if you make a Recommendation, the other party will as well, but that is not always the case.

Also, add Applications. LinkedIn has launched a new applications platform to allow you to post Slideshare presentations, Google presentations, blog posts directly from your blog(s), and Box.Net files which viewers of your profile can download. I'm sure video will follow soon. Allow viewers to interact with your profile. Drive traffic to those valuable IM assets you own using these tools.

Finally, use your LinkedIn profile URL when posting on blogs or forums where you want to build reputation. Whether it is in your sig or linked to your username, it can build credibility before they get to your website or blog.

Remember, the key to success with customers is building trust and establishing credibility. Link all your IM assets to your LinkedIn profile to make it easy for them to develop that trust by making information about you readily accessible.

My offline consulting business has been assisted by my LinkedIn profile. I help small businesses generate more business with advanced IM tactics. Without my LinkedIn profile and the information it provided, they would not have called me back.

I encourage you to take the time to get to know LinkedIn. Then use it to super charge your IM world!
#article marketing #imers #internet marketing advice #linkedin #profiles
  • Profile picture of the author Marcus Paul
    I did not mention the automatic update notification email that goes out to your network when you update your profile info. Boy, that was a serious oversight! Don't forget to incorporate that into your marketing campaign. You can even use the "What are you doing now?" feature as a mini-twitter via email.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marcus Paul
    Also, there are seo benefits of keyword linking your website options into your website or blog. A good video tutorial is here (not my video.)
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