How to use Linked in for Success

by harrydog

Posted: 15 years ago 46 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Hi Everyone
sometimes its strange where your biggest breaks come from. I have started using Linkedin for my Bricks and Mortar business and have spent quite a bit of time building up my profile and getting connections. To date this has generated quite a bit of business for us and I am working towards building myself into an expert in my field.
I have written my profile in a way that means I come top of the searches for most of the keywords I wanted to target and my connections are growing quite nicely.
Yesterday I got a message through Linkedin from some one who wanted me to contact them.
On contacting them it turns out they had read one of my posts and would like to do a piece in their Industry newspaper - yes the guy was a journalist!! The paper is one of the Industry standards in my target market which is Financial Advisers and has a readership of 30,000 Financial Advisers. I couldn't believe it. So I have another call booked with him for Monday to talk about another piece he wants to do.

There is no way that I would have been in contact with this guy except for Linkedin. If your not using Linkedin for whatever business you are in you should - it works if you do it right.

Now I am no Linkedin expert but I have read lots of books on how to do it and applied the principles and I have had success.

Here a few Tips

1) Spend a lot of time creating your profile. Think about what keywords yoyu want to target and use them in your name and info boxes

2) make sure you connect with people in areas that are related to your business or are of use to you. The number of connections is not important its the quality. I come top of the searches for keywords ahead of people who have 100s more connections than me

3) Get involved - just like this forum you need to engage in conversations.

4) Join lots of groups - by joining a group you have access to the members list and this means you can connect to them and then be able to sned them messages

5) Start interesting discussions this will enhance your visibility, your profile views and your connections

6) Contribute helpful stuff to other peoples discussions

7) Update your profile regularly. Every time you update your profile the update is flagged to all your connections

I could go on. Linkedin is free and it works if you put the effort in. I could see it working very well for Offliners and marketers if its done correctly

UPDATE - read the rest of the thread as I have included some more hints and tips
Cheers
mark
PS here is my linked in profile feel free to connect with me (say you are a colleague and in your message say you came from the Warrior forum so I know)

#linkedin #story #success

wfhblueprints 15 years ago

Thanks for the tips Mark!

I've been using Linkedin for our consultancy arm of the business and the results have been pretty encouraging.....Just need to get cracking on it!

Chris
- Thanks
Signature
[$5 WSO] Attract a HUGE Amount of Traffic For Less Than $0.05/click
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5463618].message }}
LindseyInteractive 15 years ago

Hello,

Thank you for the information and the tips.

You are so right, LinkedIN is becoming one of the biggest industry standards when it comes to online marketing, we also have had alot of success with our LinkedIN profile. We are constantly trying to push this across to our clients as well so that they can understand the importance of this very powerful social media outlet.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5463637].message }}
DianaHeuser 15 years ago

I have definately neglected LinkedIn as a networking tool. Will change that shortly. Thanks for the heads up Mark.

Di
- Thanks
- 2 replies
Signature

PLR Planners - Commercial Use Low Content Book Templates

"Power Publishing â€“ How to Create and Publish Low Content Books in Three Easy Steps "
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5463651].message }}
- harrydog 15 years ago
  
  As I was writing the original post I went back to linked in and there was anther request to connect to me. Thats another contact in my list without doing anything. If you think about Linkedin is like having a free squeeze page but with lots of content!
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5463792].message }}
- unoentremil 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by DianaHeuser
  
  I have definately neglected LinkedIn as a networking tool. Will change that shortly.
  
  Hi Diana,
  
  Do it! :-)
  
  LinkedIn is the best Network to connect with professionals. Look, I recommended it to a friend of mine. He was unemployed at that time and started to make contacts with persons of his field (He is a telecommunications engineer and executive). Well, one important company from Corea contacted him in less than a month.
  
  This is just one example of the possibilities available there. Personally I use it to contact with programmers, WordPress developers, designers, marketers, etc.
  
  All the best,
  Diego
  
  My LinkedIn profile:
  Diego Fernandez - España | LinkedIn
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  SEO Check-List procedure for better rankings of any Web or Blog [FREE @WF]
  
  Diego, SEO Consulting Spain
  Profiles: Google+ (Redes Sociales), Facebook (Social Business),
  Twitter@redes_sociales, LinkedIn (Posicionamiento Google)
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6653758].message }}
Buum 15 years ago

I found LinkedIn very useful in earing money. I'm a webdeveloper and programmer and there are many possiblities for people like me. There are few thread here with very useful and easy to use techniques. Just search for "linkedin". Cheers
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

Artizlewyz & SocialBacklinker Accounts - twitter,stumbleupon,delicious and more
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5463892].message }}
- BrashImpact 15 years ago
  
  Mark,
  thanks for taking the time to post this up on Linkedin. We started taking an agressive approach over the last 6 months and man what a difference it makes out there.
  
  IMHO its one of the best overlooked resources on the Internet for generating business. I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to post up viable usable information for Warriors. Congrats on your personal success.
  
  As for Linkedin Warriors, if your not using it, your flat Missing The Boat.
  
  Robert
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5464425].message }}
  
  harrydog 15 years ago
  
  Hi Robert
  good to hear that you also have had success with linkedin.
  Can I ask you in what sphere of business this was in?
  And was there anything in particular that you found worked for you?
  
  Cheers
  mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5464557].message }}
WriterWahm 15 years ago

I have been using LinkedIn and when I was practicing as a lawyer it worked very well for me. My problem right now is how to scale to being an IMer... each time I want to update my profile I really don't know how to go about it. But I will try. Thanks for sharing your tips
- Thanks
Signature

PM me if you want a romantic fiction ghostwriter.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5465400].message }}
SamKalai 15 years ago

linkedin is the untaped goldmine... I completly agree
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5466157].message }}
- harrydog 15 years ago
  
  Hi WriterWahm
  
  I understand what you are saying about using Linkedin for a different business type.
  
  1) Think about what your products and services that you are trying to push. Is it SEO, Make money, Web sites, Social media etc.
  
  2)Then think about where the pools of prospects are. i.e, are you targeting Local businesses or certain Business types.
  
  3) Find out where these people hang out - Groups
  
  4) Join as many of these groups as you can
  
  5) Connect to all the members of these groups
  
  6) Segment your connections into specific group types (use the tag function in your connections area)
  
  7) Start to post useful information and advice in the groups discussion area
  
  8) Answer as many questions in the discussion forums related to your product and service offerings
  
  9) Now you have segmented your connections in your connection section you can send emails to them (50 at a time I think) with useful hints and tips
  
  10) rinse and repeat
  
  This should get you going and I know you will get people coming back to you with enquiries believe me it works.
  
  Hope this has helped
  Cheers
  Mark
  
  [ 2 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5467042].message }}
  
  harrydog 15 years ago
  
  When updating your profile make sure it has a catchy headline and some valuable information. remember every time you update your profile all your connections will get informed of this
  I have started using free-press-releases.com and you can link this to your profile page so every time you do a press release it pops up on your profile page - two birds with one stone.
  You can also integrate twitter and Facebook so you can spread your messages across all these platforms.
  
  hope this helps
  
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5467618].message }}
  
  cooldanan Banned 15 years ago
  
  [DELETED]
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5467666].message }}
  
  harrydog 15 years ago
  
  Hi Cooldan
  just a word or caution on Linkedin advertising its $2 a click!!
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5467913].message }}
magnamino 15 years ago

Great advice, Mark, on LinkedIn. I have a profile on there, but haven't done much with it. I will definitely have to jump back on that boat with a turbo-charged diesel..lol.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5601273].message }}
DoriFriend2 15 years ago

Yes, great advice Mark!
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5601912].message }}
- harrydog 15 years ago
  
  If you want to appear at the top of the list of the searches for your keywords in Linkedin one trick is to set your name up in this way on your profile. i.e. my name appears as Mark Jackson|Will Writing|Estate Planning|Will Writer
  Also put your keywords in your subheading which appears below your name.
  
  When writing your positions also include your keywords (make sure its readable) and also include your keywords in any descriptions in the summary and your specialities.
  
  Ranking in the searches in Linkedin is not about how many connections you have its about the relevancy of the keywords used in the search and how they appear in your profile.
  
  Hope this helps
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5612852].message }}
davejug1 15 years ago

I think for a bricks and mortar business it's beyond compare. I don't think it has quite the same effect for online business though.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

FREE List Building help. Click here!

Yes I do have freebies!

Expertise comes not through knowledge or skills, but through practice
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5612859].message }}
- harrydog 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by davejug1
  
  I think for a bricks and mortar business it's beyond compare. I don't think it has quite the same effect for online business though.
  
  I think a lot of Internet Marketers who provide services for offline clients do very well out of linkedin. Also its a great way to drive traffic to a website if you provide quality information in the discussion groups as you can input your links to your website. Its just like any other forum in that you have to engage people and not spam the site or the groups as people will just ignore you.
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5651121].message }}
User-Name 14 years ago

I have massive exposure for my clients on linkedin
Mark you should try and get a video made up describing the service you provide (maybe use fiverr)
Upload to youtube then use the slideshare app to load it directly under your profile
Looks impressive when a video loads instantly
Not many people are using this technique so it is very effective
Andrew
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
Linkedin Lead Generation Expert
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5761911].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi Andrew
  thats a great Idea, I will do that and see what the results are and let you know. I am a big fan of Video and we use them for training in my business
  cheers
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6157322].message }}
ExpertSEOServices 14 years ago

Thanks for sharing. I have read many great things about Linked in but have not yet signed up. I will do this right now after reading your thread.
Thanks again
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

[SOLO AD] REVIEW PRICES - Buyer Lists Included - Quality Solos - LIMITED GOING FAST!!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6158278].message }}
- VHSEOMike 14 years ago
  
  Interesting read...your tips.
  
  Has worked well for a few business niches for us where we were targeting a specific audience. Maybe worth trying for a few others, especially after reading you. Thanks.
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6160196].message }}
candres79 14 years ago

Great Info Mark! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the good tips!

Thanks
- Thanks
Signature

Regards,
Candres
Powerful Internet MarketingPowerful Internet Maketing
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6170697].message }}
kevin jackson 14 years ago

I have been hearing about Linked In but haven't really dived into it just yet. I will definitely be adding that resource to the arsenal.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6171724].message }}
Gina Irvine 14 years ago

Nice tip Mark,

Will use it right away.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6171849].message }}
- Peter Hansen 14 years ago
  
  Good post. Thanks for the tip.
  
  Let me know if I can help you Warrior to Warrior.
  
  Good luck
  Peter
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  FREE step by step training on Social Bookmarking. Click here
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6174654].message }}
Challendge 14 years ago

love this post! LinkedIn is a must for any businessperson, regardless of their field.
Just like anything else, it's not just as easy as signing up. The tips that you outlined are very helpful and much appreciated.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6174738].message }}
iliana 14 years ago

Thanks for the tips. I haven't joined it yet, but I think it is time to try.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
Natural Link Building Secret Weapon - Free Download
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6175475].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi Guys
  just a quick update on my Linkedin sucess
  I am now in negotiations with 3 large networks of advisers who would like to use our services. Two of these have come directly form Linkedin and the other via another Linkedin connection
  
  If any one of these networks become a partner of ours and take up our services it will increase our turnover 10 fold!!
  
  This is the power of Linkedin. But it can take time to build the relationships you want and like anything else there is work involved.
  So if your on Linkedin keep at it and if you are not on linked in you are missing out.
  
  I have only scratched the surface so far and its working for me.
  
  happy linking
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6228525].message }}
InVizion 14 years ago

I agree 100% This is one of the tactics I use to drive traffic daily, LinkedIn is awesome! Great Tips!
- Thanks
Signature

FREE Video Series- Get New Clients Each Month!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6231141].message }}
Alohatom 14 years ago

[DELETED]

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6499296].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi Alotham
  Yes it works and I am in the process of doing a WSO myself on this as I think most marketers could utilise Linkedin to promote anything they want - if you do it in the right way of course.
  Cheers
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6499360].message }}
rowanman28 14 years ago

It took me a while to figure out how Linked In worked, but I can get a hundred views sometimes by sharing a blog post with the relevant social media marketing groups. I might try to find some more to join.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
Social Media Marketing Services
Custom Facebook page design, Facebook Ads management, Facebook likes, Twitter followers, Google Plus, Instagram, social sharing, SEO, content production, video production, whatever you want.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6500018].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi Rowanman
  sharing blog posts is a great way to drive traffic to a blog. I do see some group owners though abusing this and when you go into the group its just tweat after tweat re posted which just turns me off visiting again.
  I like to share something that will start a discussion to get people to see me as often as possible which improves my credibility within the groups and people start taking notice of what I am saying.
  Keep posting your blog posts and the visitors will come. I personally don't blog just dont have the time but I know it works as I click through on them myself
  Cheers
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6501297].message }}
rontheitguy 14 years ago

I've been on LinkedIn for a while now but never really thought much about finding ways to use it. Some good info here that I think I should pay closer attention too!
- Thanks
Signature

are you an inkjock?

"Do, or do not. There is no try."
The Wisdom of Yoda
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6501395].message }}
Jon Patrick 14 years ago

Mark, do you think LinkedIn would be a productive place to spend time if you're a product manufacturer looking for shelf space? Do store buyers and other decision makers look for product manufacturers there?
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6501836].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi John
  good question. I dont know what type of products you manufacture but the Power of Linkedin is that there is a group for virtually any business out there. I think in your case you would be looking for retailers and distributors that might want to stock your products.
  
  Do a search for groups that you may think that would be useful. Join these groups and then start following the discussions. Then connect to all the members in those groups. You can then segment them in your connections lists so you can send them bulk messages (50 at a time)
  Maybe offer them a Sale or return incentive to get the stuff out there on the shelves or an initial discount for Linkedin members etc.
  
  Think outside the box. Would they appreciate some relevant information about certain products that would be useful for their customers?
  
  Can you offer training days?
  Can you offer display collateral?
  Etc Etc
  
  I know this is very broad brush but I hope it helps
  Cheers
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6511644].message }}
ExpertSEOServices 14 years ago

Since my last post I have joined Linked in for my offline mobile sites company.
I have joined groups and interacted there and since got a few leads from there.

Thanks for your tips. They really helped
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

[SOLO AD] REVIEW PRICES - Buyer Lists Included - Quality Solos - LIMITED GOING FAST!!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6511747].message }}
- harrydog 14 years ago
  
  Hi EpertSEOservices
  Thats great news. Now you have started the process like they always say "Rinse and Repeat" Post discussions on relevant topics that help people and get these discussions interactive.
  Linkedin does take work but if you keep at it, it will bear fruit.
  One other thing, look at other people who are your competitors and see what they are doing. Connect to them and see what messages they put out and how they market themselves, then do a better job
  Hope this helps
  Mark
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6511918].message }}

cyberws

14 years ago

Mark, thanks so much for a really useful thread. There's a WSO right now with LI software and the advice is, in a nutshell: join 50 groups, spam the hell out of them, unsubscribe, join 50 more groups, etc. That is bound to be really lousy advice. Your way is definitely the profitable way. And congrats on your 3 new clients-to-be.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6652946].message }}

harrydog

14 years ago

Originally Posted by cyberws

It sounds to me that a WSO like that will severley damage your reputation on Linkedin. As Ive said all along linked in is about building relationships for the long term and not about spamming people for a quick buck.

Just as another example we ran a Seminar last week and over 30% of out attendees came form Linkedin.

Something else I have also done is got some of our advisers to get on Linkedin and start using it and this has already brought business in.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6744280].message }}

unoentremil

14 years ago

Originally Posted by harrydog

4) Join lots of groups - by joining a group you have access to the members list and this means you can connect to them and then be able to sned them messages

Mark,

This is the essential point that most people overlook, IMO. I reached the 50 group limit a long time ago :-) I'm invited to join new groups from time to time and have to explain that I can't ;-(

Good post,
Diego

My LinkedIn profile (in English ;-):
Diego Fernandez - España | LinkedIn

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

SEO Check-List procedure for better rankings of any Web or Blog [FREE @WF]

Diego, SEO Consulting Spain
Profiles: Google+ (Redes Sociales), Facebook (Social Business),
Twitter@redes_sociales, LinkedIn (Posicionamiento Google)

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6653792].message }}

freetrainer 14 years ago

Awesome tips on how to use LinkedIn for business. People need to remember that this is a business social networking site, that is the entire purpose of the site, unlike Facebook which is mostly just social.

People would be wise to learn how they can maximize Linkedin and after reading the OPs suggestions and tips, I will be doing just that.

Thanks for all the awesome information.
- Thanks
Signature
Rise of the Entrepreneurs
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6653964].message }}

harrydog

14 years ago

Originally Posted by unoentremil

I concur. I would also like to say that once a member of a group it pays dividends to actually participate so when you do want to connect to any of the members you should have some visibility in the group that will enhance your own personal branding.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6744316].message }}

intergen 14 years ago

Thanks for the tips Mark. I have had similar success with Linkedin. I get contacted and show up in searches pretty frequently. One other area though that completely shocked me were linkedin ads. I have had really good success with several folks in multiple verticals.

I started slow with a low budget to test and they tend to get good click-throughs and the signup rate for a free product in education was excellent. So to bring this full circle - you could even run some low cost Linkedin ads for a product or service - or take them back to a personal blog. This could get you more opportunities like the one you've already snagged and for the price you paid for the ads you could land something big that would give you a large ROI on your ad.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

Do you Want 140%+ increase with LEGIT back links? Get Social Signals & High PR Links Now

FREE On-page SEO Guide - Panda & Penguin Safe - Get it here
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6654617].message }}

therichb

14 years ago

Discussions. Polls, Giveaways, are the means which an efficient Linkedin User can work on & get relative things that fulfills the demand of business & getting clients will now be easy enough for him...

Moreover, sharing your information in the form of books, digital material, events, webinars will bring more people sending you business inquiries & thats for sure in a very short time interval

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

[LASER TARGETED GOOGLE FRIENDLY TRAFFIC]

More Clicks, More Opt ins
LOWEST PRICE ON WF - Reviews Available

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6744612].message }}

harrydog

14 years ago

Originally Posted by therichb

Yes Linkedin has some powerful features that I have not even used yet. I need to get slideshare up and running and start using Polls as its a great way to get free market research.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6744687].message }}

How to use Linked in for Success

Trending Topics

What would you do without the Internet ??

Why do people on social media come down hard on freakish bodies ( muscles) posing on the internet

Hello Everyone! Excited to Join the Warriorforum Community.

Built my first service business - Taking care of flowerbeds. Now ready to improve.

Hello every one ,just started to my business related to travel. hope to connect with you